2 Kings 18:21

Translations

Modern

Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.

Traditional

Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.

Literal

Now behold, You are trusting for yourself on the staff of this broken reed—on Egypt, on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it. Thus is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.

Latin

…an speras in baculo arundineo atque confracto Ægypto, super quem, si incubuerit homo, comminutus ingredietur manum ejus, et perforabit eam? sic est Pharao rex Ægypti omnibus qui confidunt in se.

Original

Hebrew

English

Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.

Notes

2 Kings 18:19–22

In the past, people used the term great king for leaders of major military powers. It later became a common title for Assyrian kings.
What is the basis of this confidence of yours?: The Assyrian officer claimed that Jerusalem's citizens would be unwise to trust Hezekiah's words, given Assyria's strong military. Seeking help from Egypt would also be unwise. The chief of staff argued that trusting in the Lord was also a mistake. The officer might have hoped to win over citizens who had worshiped at the shrines and altars Hezekiah had destroyed.

Theme notes and profiles

Assyria Hezekiah God’s Judgment of His People Invasion Nehemiah’s Confidence in God

Events

Reign of Hezekiahc. 726 BC

Related verses

Isaiah 30:7
Egypt’s help is futile and empty; therefore I have called her Rahab Who Sits Still.
Ezekiel 29:6–7
Then all the people of Egypt will know that I am the LORD. For you were only a staff of reeds to the house of Israel.
Isaiah 30:2–3
They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade.
Isaiah 31:1–3
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.
Jeremiah 46:17
There they will cry out: ‘Pharaoh king of Egypt was all noise; he has let the appointed time pass him by.’
2 Kings 17:4
But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea had conspired to send envoys to King So of Egypt, and that he had not paid tribute to the king of Assyria as in previous years. Therefore the king of Assyria arrested Hoshea and put him in prison.
Isaiah 36:6
Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.

Parallels

2 Chronicles 32:9–19 Isaiah 36:1–22

People

Pharaoh: Egyptian Pharaoh during Hezekiah's reign

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

Asaph Assyria, Assyrians Eliakim Hezekiah Hilkiah Inscriptions Joah Kings, Books of First and Second Kohath, Kohathites Psalms, Book of Rabshakeh Shebna Warfare Writer

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks: Confederated Assyria: Sennacherib Assyria: Sennacherib King of Insulted and Threatened Judah Confidence: False Diplomacy: Rab-Shakeh, in Trying to Induce Jerusalem to Capitulate by Bombastic Harangue Hypocrisy: Rabshakeh Jerusalem: Besieged by Sennacherib Pharaoh: At the Time of Hezekiah Prophecies Concerning Israel: The King of Assyria Invades Judah, and Blasphemes the God of Judah Rab-Shakeh : Sent by Sennacherib Against Jerusalem Reed of Weakness Sennacherib: Invades Judah Trust of the Wicked--Illustrated War: Enemy Harangued by the General of the Opposing Side

2 Kings 18:21

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