Rabshakeh in the Bible — Hidden Meaning & Symbolism

chief water bearer; chief cupbearer; head of irrigation; overwhelmed by the multitude. The title of an officer of the Assyrian army that came up against Hezekiah, king of Judah (II Kings 18:17). Meta. A greatly exalted executive thought activity in the Assyria or intellectual, sense-reasoning realm of consciousness in man (chief water bearer, chief cupbearer, head of irrigation, an officer that the king of Assyria sent up against Hezekiah, king of Judah). In olden times a cupbearer was a royal officer connected with the supplying of wine for the royal household. In this highly executive thought activity that Rabshakeh signifies, the idea of constantly instilling renewed fervor, life, spirit, into the ruling power of the sense-intellectual realm in man is emphasized (wine represents spirit, life). Overwhelmed by the multitude suggests a belief in power through numbers alone, instead of knowing that when indued with true spiritual power one can"chase a thousand" and two can put two thousand to flight.