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• But interestingly, as previously mentioned, we find that while the Jews in Jerusalem speak Hebrew, the Assyrians speak Aramaic. A few of the influential Jews are able to speak Aramaic, but they want to continue speaking with the Assyrians in Aramaic, to make sure that the ordinary Jews do not understand the threats that the Assyrians are making, and how serious the situation is:
• v.26 Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews’ language in the ears of the people that are on the wall.