Sennacherib's officers taunted the people of Jerusalem, insulting them and their trust in Yahweh. They boasted that no other gods had been able to withstand their assault, reasoning that Jerusalem would not be any different. They even spoke in Hebrew, so that the common people would hear their taunts. (Cf. 2 Kings 18:17-35; 2 Chron. 32:9-19; Isa. 36:1-20)