Windell Gann
a large army -- While the Assyrian king besieges Lachish, he sends a high-ranking official to pressure Hezekiah into surrender. This official’s title translates as “chief cupbearer.” The siege of Lachish was well-documented in a series of reliefs decorating a room of Sennacherib’s palace in Nineveh.
the highway of the field of the washer -- The Assyrian official meets the envoys of Hezekiah at the very place where Isaiah met Ahaz (Isaiah 7:3).
Eliakim son of Hilkiah -- Eliakim was promoted to chief steward, an office formerly held by Shebna. See Isaiah 22:15-25.
Shebna the secretary -- Shebna was formerly the one “over the household” (the chief steward), but was demoted by God for his pride. See Isaiah 22:15.
Joah -- Means “Yahweh is brother.” Joah’s presence in the embassy to the Assyrian official suggests he is an important member of the court.
· Thus says the great king -- The Assyrian official’s speech in vv. Isa 35.4–20 matches 2 Kings 18:19-35 almost verbatim, suggesting an official record of his words existed.
altars Hezekiah removed --The Assyrian official again shows an astute awareness of what has been happening in Judah, suggesting parts of the speech have been embellished to reflect theological aspects of the crisis (see 2 Kings 18:4 for the account of Hezekiah’s reform).
high places Religious shrines outside the city. See Isaiah 57:7.
without Yahweh that I have come up-- Isaiah 10:5-6 indicates this is a true assertion: Yahweh sent Assyria to judge Israel and Judah.