THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
And Rapsak rose up, shouting loudly in the language of Judah, proclaiming, "Listen to the words of the mighty king, the ruler of Assyria. The king declares, do not let Hezekiah mislead you with his words, for he cannot save you. Do not let Hezekiah say to you that the Lord will rescue you and that this city will not fall into the hands of the king of Assyria. Do not heed Hezekiah; this is the message of the king of Assyria: if you desire prosperity, come to me, and you shall enjoy the fruits of your own vineyards and fig trees, and drink from your own streams until I arrive and settle you in a land that resembles your own—a land of grain, wine, bread, and grapes."
Read more (164 words)
He directed his taunts towards those who were fortified within the city walls and those bracing themselves for resistance against the incoming invaders. He repeatedly referred to the Assyrian king as 'great,' undermining the faith in God, and labeled Hezekiah a deceiver, claiming it was wiser to trust in him. He assured those who would surrender that they would continue to inhabit their lands for a while—this being the meaning behind the phrase ‘until I come and take you away’—encouraging them to utilize their fields. He sought to erase their fear of captivity, cloaking the gravity of impending disaster in misleading assurances, promising, ‘Until I come and carry you to a land like your own.' He compared the land of Assyria to that of the Jews, insinuating that even if they departed from Judah and joined him, they would still possess a land of their own among them, for the territories of the Persians and Assyrians are bountiful—rich in wheat, wine, bread, and grapes.