John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 36:19

"Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?" — Isaiah 36:19 (ASV)

Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? It is thought that Hamath was Antioch in Syria, that Arpad was the city from which colonies were brought to Damascus, and that Sepharvaim was a city located in the region of Damascus.

If this is true, Rabshakeh mentions the ancient names of cities from which many nations had formerly come. These cities afterwards lost not only their fame but also their distinctive names. He aims to cause them greater alarm by reminding them of such great upheavals.

However that may be, he mainly mentions the neighboring cities, whose destruction might affect them more deeply because they were better known to the Jews. And I have no doubt that these places belonged to Syria and Israel, as if he had said, “Look at these two subdued kingdoms, which were presided over by their gods as their guardians. Will your God resist me?”