Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 32:18
Then the Assyrians called out loudly in Hebrew to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten and terrify them in order to capture the city.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Assyrian army addresses the defenders of Jerusalem from the city wall during an active siege. This verbal assault follows the king’s written taunts against the God of Israel and precedes the continued blasphemy against Jerusalem’s deity.
The words — יְהוּדִ֗ית (ye.hu.Dit) translates literally to "Judean," and גָּד֜וֹל (ga.Dol) means "great" or "loud." These terms specify that the psychological operation used the local language at a volume calculated to induce panic.
The thread — This method of public intimidation parallels the Philistine challenge in 1 Samuel 17:10 and the Rabshakeh’s deliberate language shift in 2 Kings 18:26. Each instance shows an enemy commander using vocal projection and linguistic choice to undermine enemy resolve.
Why it lands — The verse documents a tactical effort to replace fear with surrender before physical combat begins. It requires readers to observe how coordinated psychological pressure targets both military discipline and religious confidence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ speech unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 17:10 Then the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day! Give me a man to fight!”
- 1 Samuel 17:26 David asked the men who were standing with him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
- 2 Kings 18:26 Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, along with Shebnah and Joah, said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak with us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.”
- Nehemiah 6:9 For they were all trying to frighten us, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands.
- Isaiah 36:13 Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out loudly in Hebrew: “Hear the words of the great king, the king of Assyria!