Rabshakeh, also Rab-shakeh and Rabsaces (Hebrew: רַבְשָׁקֵה, Modern Ravshake Tiberian Raḇšāqē; Greek: Ραψακης Rapsakēs; Latin: Rabsaces) Neo-Aramaic: (ܪܵܒܫܵܩܹܐ) This name meaning chief of the princes was given to the chief cup-bearer or the vizier of the Assyrian royal court.
The Bible mentions it for one of Sennacherib's messengers to Hezekiah. The speech he delivered, in the Hebrew language, in the hearing of all the people, as he stood near the wall on the north side of the city, is quoted in 2 Kings 18:27–37 and Isaiah 36:12–20:
| “ | Hath my master sent me to thy master and to thee to speak these words? Hath he not sent me to the men that sit upon the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you? | ” |
He and the other envoys returned to their master and reported that Hezekiah and his people were obdurate, and would not submit.
Rabshakeh is also the title of a novel by J Francis Hudson (Lion Publishing 1992). It concerns the life of King Saul, as seen through the eyes of his Amalekite cup-bearer.
This article incorporates text from Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897), a publication now in the public domain.