מלכים ב, פרק י״ח, פסוק כ״ט

In a calculated attempt to break the spirit of the people, the spokesman for the King of Assyria addresses the crowds directly. He seeks to undermine their resolve by warning them against the hopeful promises made by their leader, King Hezekiah [מדוד ועד לחורבן].

The spokesman accuses Hezekiah of actively luring the people into a false sense of security. This warning frames the king's encouragement not merely as empty words, but as a dangerous temptation and incitement. The deception he attributes to Hezekiah is profound, echoing the very same type of fatal seduction used by the serpent in the Garden of Eden to lead its victims toward ruin [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Concluding his psychological assault, the spokesman delivers a blunt declaration. He asserts that despite any assurances of survival, Hezekiah is completely powerless to save the people from the crushing grip of the Assyrian king [ביאור שטיינזלץ].