(18) They cried . . . on the wall.--LXX. and Vulg., "he cried" (i.e., the Rab-sak). (See 2Kings 18:26-28.)

To affright them, and to trouble (terrify, scare) them; that they might take the city.--This is the chronicler's own statement of the purpose of the words of the Rab-sak reported in 2Kings 18:28-35.

To affright.--The pi'el of y?r?, "to fear," occurs besides, thrice in Nehemiah 6:9; Nehemiah 6:14; Nehemiah 6:19; and once in 2Samuel 14:15.

Verse 18. - In the Jews' speech (see again 2 Kings 18:26, 27). The last three clauses of this verse are additional matter to that contained in the parallel.

32:1-23 Those who trust God with their safety, must use proper means, else they tempt him. God will provide, but so must we also. Hezekiah gathered his people together, and spake comfortably to them. A believing confidence in God, will raise us above the prevailing fear of man. Let the good subjects and soldiers of Jesus Christ, rest upon his word, and boldly say, Since God is for us, who can be against us? By the favour of God, enemies are lost, and friends gained.Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews' speech unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall,.... The messengers of Sennacherib, particularly Rabshakeh the chief speaker; though they were desired to speak in the Syrian language, Isaiah 36:11,

but this they did to affright them, and to trouble them, that they might take the city; to throw them into terror and confusion, that they might prevail upon them to deliver up the city to them.