In this verse the Assyrian ambassador introduces another reason why Hezekiah should surrender. This time it is a religious reason, namely, Yahweh has ordered Assyria to destroy Judah. The notion that Yahweh would use a foreign nation to punish his people is not a new one. In 10.5-11 the prophet himself warned that this would be the case. Indeed, many of the thoughts expressed in the ambassador’s speech are similar those spoken by the prophet in Isa 10. What is unusual here is the ambassador’s claim that Yahweh told him to act against Judah. It is perhaps further evidence of the prophet’s broad theological understanding of the way that Yahweh is active in all human history. It could also be that the ambassador is simply fabricating this in order to dishearten Hezekiah’s representatives.

Moreover is literally “And now,” which signals another change in topic, as in verse 8. New Jerusalem Bible has “And lastly” to indicate that the Assyrian ambassador is giving his final argument here. New International Version says “Furthermore.”

Is it without the LORD that I have come up against this land to destroy it?: This rhetorical question indirectly claims that Yahweh himself instigated the Assyrian attack on Judah. The literal expression is it without the LORD may be expressed more fully as “is it without the LORD’s help” (similarly Good News Translation) or “… without Yahweh’s command.” New Jerusalem Bible suggests “without warrant from Yahweh,” and Revised English Bible has “without the consent of the LORD.” The whole rhetorical question may be rendered as a strong statement by saying “it is [truly] by Yahweh’s command that I have attacked this land to destroy it.”

The LORD said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.: The ambassador is claiming that Yahweh actually ordered the attack on Judah. As in verse 7, there is a quote within a quote here. Instead of direct speech for the embedded quote, many translations will prefer to say “Yahweh told to me to attack this land and destroy it.”

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• Furthermore, have I attacked this land to destroy it without Yahweh giving the orders? It was Yahweh who said to me ‘Attack Judah and destroy it.’”

• Moreover, I have attacked this land to destroy it on Yahweh’s orders. Yahweh told me to attack this land and destroy it.”

• Finally, do you think that I have attacked this land to destroy it on my own initiative? Yahweh was the one who said to me, ‘Go attack and destroy that land.’”

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .