THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Rapsak rose and called out with a loud voice in the language of Judah, proclaiming the words of the mighty king, the king of Assyria: thus declares the king, Do not let Hezekiah mislead you with his words, for he cannot save you; do not allow Hezekiah to assure you that the Lord will rescue you and that this city will not fall into the hands of the king of Assyria. Do not listen to Hezekiah: thus says the king of Assyria, If you desire prosperity, come to me, and partake of your own grapes and figs, and drink from your own waters, until I arrive and bring you into a land resembling your own, a land filled with grain, wine, bread, and fruit.
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He directs his words toward those clustered in the fortifications, as well as those preparing to resist the invaders, repeatedly referring to the Assyrian leader as a great king, undermining confidence in the Lord, and labeling Hezekiah a deceiver for suggesting that one should trust in God; if He assists you, there is no need to fear human foes. He then assures those who might surrender that they will continue to inhabit their own estates for a time (as indicated by the phrase, "Until I come and take you away") and tend to their fields, attempting to alleviate the dread of captivity, masking the true severity of their plight with his misleading rhetoric, adding, "Until I come and take you away to a land like your own." He compares the land of Assyria to that of the Jews, implying, Even if you leave Judah and join us, you will still find your homeland with us; for the lands of the Persians and Assyrians are abundant in grain, wine, bread, and fruit.