Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews' language in the ears of the people that are on the wall.
My Notes
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Barnes' Notes
The Syrian language - i. e., Aramaic; probably the dialect of Damascus, a Semitic language nearly akin to their own, but suffciently different to be unintelligible to ordinary Jews The people that are…
Adam Clarke
Talk not with us in the Jews' language - The object of this blasphemous caitiff was to stir up the people to sedition, that the city and the king might be delivered into his hand.
Here is, I. Jerusalem besieged by Sennacherib's army, Kg2 18:17. He sent three of his great generals with a great host against Jerusalem. Is this the great king, the king of Assyria? No, never call…
Cambridge Bible
Further insolence of Rab-shakeh. He addresses the people that stand on the wall. Despair of hezekiah's ministers (2Ch 32:13-19; Isa 35:1-2)
26. Speak, I pray thee … in the Syrian language The language…