Now Sennacherib heard concerning King Tirhakah of Ethiopia that he had come out to fight against him. When he heard it, he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying, — the appearance of Tirhakah (תִּרְהָקָה, *Tirhaqah*), the Ethiopian king, represents the 'rumor' Isaiah predicted. The threat of Ethiopian military intervention apparently causes Sennacherib to attempt final negotiation with Hezekiah. The sending of messengers, rather than continued immediate siege, suggests the rumor has created pause in Sennacherib's military momentum. This historical moment validates Isaiah's oracle: the rumor Isaiah predicted has appeared precisely.

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