2 Kings 18:24-26
New Catholic Bible
24 How could you repulse the least important of my master’s servants even though you are trusting Egypt for chariots and horsemen? 25 Was it apart from the Lord I have now come up to destroy this place? The Lord said to me, ‘Go up to attack this land and destroy it.’ ”
26 Then Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, Shebna, and Joah said to the commander, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it. Please do not speak to us in Hebrew when the people who are upon the wall can hear it.”[a]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Kings 18:26 Aramaic was beginning to be the language of international relations in the Middle East. The people understood only the Jewish language, that is, the Hebrew spoken in Jerusalem.
2 Kings 18:24-26
New International Version
24 How can you repulse one officer(A) of the least of my master’s officials, even though you are depending on Egypt for chariots and horsemen[a]? 25 Furthermore, have I come to attack and destroy this place without word from the Lord?(B) The Lord himself told me to march against this country and destroy it.’”
26 Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, and Shebna and Joah said to the field commander, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic,(C) since we understand it. Don’t speak to us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.”
Footnotes
- 2 Kings 18:24 Or charioteers
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