Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, August 2nd, 2025
the Week of Proper 12 / Ordinary 17
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Contemporary English Version

Isaiah 37:8

Meanwhile the commander of the Assyrian forces heard that his king had left the town of Lachish and was now attacking Libnah. So he went there.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Libnah;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Isaiah;   Sennacherib;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Mediator, Mediation;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Prayer;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Isaiah;   Libnah;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Hezekiah;   Libnah;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Text, Versions, and Languages of Ot;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Lachish ;   Libnah ;   Rabshakeh ;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Hezekiah;   Sennacherib;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Ararat;   Assyria;   Hezekiah;   Interesting facts about the bible;   Libnah;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Kingdom of Judah;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Hezekiah (2);   Lachish;   Libnah;   Rabshakeh;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
When the royal spokesman heard that the king of Assyria had pulled out of Lachish, he left and found him fighting against Libnah.
Hebrew Names Version
So Ravshakeh returned, and found the king of Ashshur warring against Livna; for he had heard that he was departed from Lakhish.
King James Version
So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.
English Standard Version
The Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he had heard that the king had left Lachish.
New American Standard Bible
Then Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he had heard that the king had left Lachish.
New Century Version
The field commander heard that the king of Assyria had left Lachish. When he went back, he found the king fighting against the city of Libnah.
Amplified Bible
So the Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah [a fortified city of Judah], for he had heard that the king had left Lachish.
World English Bible
So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah; for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.
Geneva Bible (1587)
So Rabshakeh returned, and found the King of Asshur fighting against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.
Legacy Standard Bible
Then Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he had heard that the king had set out from Lachish.
Berean Standard Bible
When the Rab-shakeh heard that the king of Assyria had left Lachish, he withdrew and found the king fighting against Libnah.
Complete Jewish Bible
Rav-Shakeh returned and, having heard that the king of Ashur had left Lakhish, found him making war with Livnah.
Darby Translation
And Rab-shakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah; for he had heard that he had departed from Lachish.
Easy-to-Read Version
The commander heard that the king of Assyria had left Lachish. He found him at Libnah, fighting against that city.
George Lamsa Translation
So the Rab-shakeh returned and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah; for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.
Good News Translation
The Assyrian official learned that the emperor had left Lachish and was fighting against the nearby city of Libnah; so he went there to consult him.
Lexham English Bible
And Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he had heard that he had left from Lachish.
Literal Translation
So the chief of the cupbearers returned and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah; for he had heard that he had pulled up stakes from Lachish.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Now when Rabsaches returned, he founde ye kinge of Assiria layenge sege to Lobna, for he had vnderstonde, that he was departed from Lachis.
American Standard Version
So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah; for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.
Bible in Basic English
So the Rab-shakeh went back, and when he got there the king of Assyria was making war against Libnah: for it had come to his ears that the king of Assyria had gone away from Lachish.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
So Rab-shakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah; for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.
King James Version (1611)
So Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for hee had heard that he was departed from Lachish.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Nowe when Rabsakeh returned, he founde the kyng of Assyria laying siege to Libnas: for he had vnderstandyng that he was departed from Lachis.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
So Rabsaces returned, and found the king of the Assyrians besieging Lobna: for he had heard that he had departed from Lachis.
English Revised Version
So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Forsothe Rapsaces turnede ayen, and foond the kyng of Assiriens fiytynge ayens Lobna; for he hadde herd, that the kyng was gon fro Lachis.
Update Bible Version
So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah; for he had heard that he had departed from Lachish.
Webster's Bible Translation
So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he had departed from Lachish.
New English Translation
When the chief adviser heard the king of Assyria had departed from Lachish, he left and went to Libnah, where the king was campaigning.
New King James Version
2 Kings 19:8-19">[xr] Then the Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah, for he heard that he had departed from Lachish.
New Living Translation
Meanwhile, the Assyrian chief of staff left Jerusalem and went to consult the king of Assyria, who had left Lachish and was attacking Libnah.
New Life Bible
Then Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he had heard that the king had left Lachish.
New Revised Standard
The Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah; for he had heard that the king had left Lachish.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria, warring against Libnah, - for he had heard, that he had broken up from Lachish.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Rabsaces returned, and found the king of the Assyrians besieging Lobna. For he had heard that he was departed from Lachis.
Revised Standard Version
The Rab'shakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah; for he had heard that the king had left Lachish.
Young's Literal Translation
And Rabshakeh turneth back and findeth the king of Asshur fighting against Libnah, for he hath heard that he hath journeyed from Lachish.
THE MESSAGE
The Rabshekah left and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah. (He had gotten word that the king had left Lachish.)
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he had heard that the king had left Lachish.

Contextual Overview

8 Meanwhile the commander of the Assyrian forces heard that his king had left the town of Lachish and was now attacking Libnah. So he went there. 9 About this same time, the king of Assyria learned that King Tirhakah of Ethiopia was on his way to attack him. Then the king of Assyria sent some messengers with this note for Hezekiah: 10 Don't trust your God or be fooled by his promise to defend Jerusalem against me. 11 You have heard how we Assyrian kings have completely wiped out other nations. What makes you feel so safe? 12 The Assyrian kings before me destroyed the towns of Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and everyone from Eden who lived in Telassar. What good did their gods do them? 13 The kings of Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah have all disappeared. 14 After Hezekiah had read the note from the king of Assyria, he took it to the temple and spread it out for the Lord to see. 15 Then he prayed: 16 Lord God All-Powerful of Israel, your throne is above the winged creatures. You created the heavens and the earth, and you alone rule the kingdoms of this world. 17 Just look and see how Sennacherib has insulted you, the living God.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Rabshakeh: 2 Kings 19:8, 2 Kings 19:9, Numbers 33:20, Numbers 33:21

Libnah: Joshua 10:29, Joshua 10:31-34, Joshua 21:13, 2 Kings 8:22, 2 Chronicles 21:10

Lachish: Joshua 12:11, Joshua 15:39

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 32:9 - Lachish Nehemiah 11:30 - Lachish Micah 1:13 - Lachish

Cross-References

Genesis 37:3
Jacob loved Joseph more than he did any of his other sons, because Joseph was born after Jacob was very old. Jacob had given Joseph a fancy coat
Genesis 37:4
to show that he was his favorite son, and so Joseph's brothers hated him and would not be friendly to him.
Genesis 37:6
Joseph said, "Let me tell you about my dream.
Genesis 37:27
Let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not harm him. After all, he is our brother." And the others agreed.
Genesis 37:28
When the Midianite merchants came by, Joseph's brothers took him out of the well, and for twenty pieces of silver they sold him to the Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt.
Genesis 49:26
My son, the blessings I give are better than the promise of ancient mountains or eternal hills. Joseph, I pray these blessings will come to you, because you are the leader of your brothers.
Exodus 2:14
The man answered, "Who put you in charge of us and made you our judge? Are you planning to kill me, just as you killed that Egyptian?" This frightened Moses because he was sure that people must have found out what had happened.
1 Samuel 10:27
But some worthless fools said, "How can someone like Saul rescue us from our enemies?" They did not want Saul to be their king, and so they didn't bring him any gifts. But Saul kept calm.
1 Samuel 17:28
David's oldest brother Eliab heard him talking with the soldiers. Eliab was angry at him and said, "What are you doing here, anyway? Who's taking care of that little flock of sheep out in the desert? You spoiled brat! You came here just to watch the fighting, didn't you?"
Psalms 118:22
The stone that the builders tossed aside has now become the most important stone.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

So Rabshakeh returned,.... To the king of Assyria his master, to give him an account how things went at Jerusalem, and that he could get no direct answer from the king of Judah, and to consult with him what was proper to be done in the present situation of things; leaving the army before Jerusalem, under the command of the other two generals. For that he should take the army with him does not seem reasonable, when Hezekiah and his people were in such a panic on account of it; besides, the king of Assyria's letters to Hezekiah clearly suppose the army to be still at Jerusalem, or his menacing letters would have signified nothing; and after this the destruction of the Assyrian army before Jerusalem is related:

and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah; a city in the tribe of Judah, Joshua 10:29, and lay nearer to Jerusalem than Lachish, where Rabshakeh left him; so that he seemed to be drawing his army towards that city, on which his heart was set. Josephus u makes him to be at this time besieging Pelusium, a city in Egypt, but wrongly; which has led some into a mistake that Libnah and Pelusium are the same:

for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish; where he was, when he sent him to Jerusalem, Isaiah 36:2, having very probably taken it.

u Antiqu. l. 10. c. 1. sect. 4.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

So Rabshakeh returned - Returned from Jerusalem to the camp of his master. He had received no answer to his insulting message Isaiah 36:21; he saw there was no prospect that the city would surrender; and he therefore returned again to the camp.

And found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah - He had departed from Lachish. Why he had done this is unknown. It is possible that he had taken it, though this is not recorded anywhere in history. Or it is possible that he had found it impracticable to subdue it as speedily as he had desired; and had withdrawn from it for the purpose of subduing other places that would offer a more feeble resistance. Libnah was a city in the south of Judah Joshua 15:42, given to the priests, and declared a city of refuge 1Ch 6:54, 1 Chronicles 6:57. Eusebius and Jerome say it was in the district of Eleutheropolis (Calmet). It was about ten miles to the northwest of Lachish. This city was taken by Joshua, and all its inhabitants put to the sword After taking this. Joshua next assaulted and took Lachish Joshua 10:29-32.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Isaiah 37:8. Rabshakeh returned — From Isaiah 36:2, we learn that the king of Assyria had sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem; now it is likely that Rabshakeh had besieged that place, and that the king of Assyria had taken his station before this city, and despatched Rabshakeh against Jerusalem. But, as in the verse above it is said, "he had departed from Lachish," probably he had been obliged to raise the siege, and sat down before Libnah, which promised an easier conquest.


 
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