Isaiah 36:16

French Bible (BBB) Bible Bovet Bonnet (1900)

N'écoutez point Ezéchias; car ainsi a dit le roi d'Assyrie: Faites la paix avec moi, et venez vous rendre à moi; et chacun de vous mangera de sa vigne et de son figuier et boira l'eau de sa citerne,

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, the king of Assyria is speaking to the people of Judah and telling them not to listen to Hezekiah. He urges them to make a deal with him and enjoy the benefits of his rule, like eating the fruits from their own trees and drinking water from their own wells.

Explained for Children

Imagine a bully telling you to ignore your friend and make a deal with him. He says if you do, you can have all the snacks from your house. The bully wants you to believe that he can give you everything you need, just like in this story where the Assyrian king tells the people they can eat their own fruits and drink from their own wells if they listen to him instead of their leader Hezekiah.

Historical Background

This verse is from the book of Isaiah, written around 701 BCE, during a time when the Assyrian Empire was threatening the Kingdom of Judah. The Assyrian king is trying to persuade the people of Judah to surrender and make an agreement with him, promising them the comfort and security they have now under Hezekiah.

Living It Out Today

In modern terms, this verse can be applied to situations where someone is trying to convince you to leave a group or person you trust for their own benefit. Just like the people of Judah had to decide whether to trust Hezekiah or the Assyrian king, you might have to decide if someone's promises are trustworthy or if staying with what you know is better.

Topics

• trust
• leadership
• decision-making
• persuasion
• loyalty
• security

Related Verses

• Deuteronomy 7:25
• 2 Kings 18:17
• 2 Chronicles 32:13
• Matthew 24:4-5
• 1 Corinthians 12:25

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Assyrian king offer benefits to the people of Judah?

The Assyrian king is trying to persuade the people to surrender by promising them the same benefits they currently have, making it seem like he can provide better security and comfort than Hezekiah.

What is the significance of the king mentioning vine and fig trees?

The king is using the familiar imagery of the land's bounty to appeal to the people's sense of comfort and security, suggesting they can continue to enjoy these resources under his rule.

What can we learn about Hezekiah from this verse?

We learn that Hezekiah is a leader trusted by his people, and the Assyrian king sees him as an obstacle to gaining control over Judah, hence the attempt to sway the people away from him.

How does this verse relate to themes of trust and leadership?

This verse shows the tension between trusting a familiar leader (Hezekiah) or a foreign leader offering immediate benefits (the Assyrian king), highlighting the importance of wise decision-making in leadership and trust.