2 Kings 18:20
2 Kings 18:20 in Multiple Translations
You claim to have a strategy and strength for war, but these are empty words. In whom are you now trusting, that you have rebelled against me?
Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
Thou sayest (but they are but vain words), There is counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou hast rebelled against me?
You say you have a design, and strength for war, but these are only words. Now to whom are you looking for support, that you have gone against my authority?
You say you have a strategy and are ready for war, but these are empty words. Who are you relying on, now that you have rebelled against me?
Thou thinkest, Surely I haue eloquence, but counsell and strength are for the warre. On whom then doest thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
Thou hast said: Only a word of the lips! counsel and might [are] for battle; now, on whom hast thou trusted that thou hast rebelled against me?
You say (but they are but vain words), ‘There is counsel and strength for war.’ Now on whom do you trust, that you have rebelled against me?
Thou sayest, but they are but vain words, I have counsel and strength for the war. Now in whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
Perhaps thou hast taken counsel, to prepare thyself for battle. On whom dost thou trust, that thou darest to rebel?
You say that you have weapons to fight us, and some country promises to help you, and that will enable you to defeat us, but that is only talk [RHQ]. Who do you think will help you to rebel against my soldiers from Assyria?
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 18:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Kings 18:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אָמַ֨רְתָּ֙
אַךְ
דְּבַר
שְׂפָתַ֔יִם
עֵצָ֥ה
וּ/גְבוּרָ֖ה
לַ/מִּלְחָמָ֑ה
עַתָּה֙
עַל
מִ֣י
בָטַ֔חְתָּ
כִּ֥י
מָרַ֖דְתָּ
בִּֽ/י
אָמַ֨רְתָּ֙
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
אַךְ
ʼak
H389
surely
DirObjM
דְּבַר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-ms
שְׂפָתַ֔יִם
sâphâh
H8193
lips
N-fd
עֵצָ֥ה
ʻêtsâh
H6098
counsel
N-fs
וּ/גְבוּרָ֖ה
gᵉbûwrâh
H1369
might
Conj | N-fs
לַ/מִּלְחָמָ֑ה
milchâmâh
H4421
battle
Prep | N-fs
עַתָּה֙
ʻattâh
H6258
now
Adv
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
מִ֣י
mîy
H4310
who?
Part
בָטַ֔חְתָּ
bâṭach
H982
to trust
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
מָרַ֖דְתָּ
mârad
H4775
to rebel
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
בִּֽ/י
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 18:20
אָמַ֨רְתָּ֙
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
אַךְ
ʼak
H389
"surely"
DirObjM
This Hebrew word is used to emphasize something, like saying 'surely' or 'certainly'. It can also be used to limit or restrict something, like saying 'only' or 'but'.
Definition: 1) indeed, surely (emphatic) 2) howbeit, only, but, yet (restrictive)
Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: also, in any wise, at least, but, certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only, save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, [phrase] wherefore, yet (but). See also: Genesis 7:23; 2 Kings 23:35; Psalms 23:6.
דְּבַר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
שְׂפָתַ֔יִם
sâphâh
H8193
"lips"
N-fd
This word refers to lips or language, and can also mean the edge or border of something. It is used in the Bible to describe the shore of a sea or the edge of a cup.
Definition: : lips/mouth 1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding 1a) lip (as body part) 1b) language 1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words. See also: Genesis 11:1; Psalms 120:2; Psalms 12:3.
עֵצָ֥ה
ʻêtsâh
H6098
"counsel"
N-fs
This Hebrew word means counsel or advice, implying a plan or purpose. It is used in the Bible when describing wise decision-making.
Definition: counsel, advice, purpose
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: advice, advisement, counsel(l-(or)), purpose. See also: Deuteronomy 32:28; Psalms 107:11; Psalms 1:1.
וּ/גְבוּרָ֖ה
gᵉbûwrâh
H1369
"might"
Conj | N-fs
This word means strength, might, or power, like God's mighty power in Psalm 111:6. It can describe a person's bravery or the strength of an action, as in the mighty deeds of God in Psalm 145:11.
Definition: 1) strength, might 1a) strength 1b) might, valour, bravery 1c) might, mighty deeds (of God) Aramaic equivalent: ge.vu.rah (גְּבוּרָה "might" H1370)
Usage: Occurs in 61 OT verses. KJV: force, mastery, might, mighty (act, power), power, strength. See also: Exodus 32:18; Psalms 71:18; Psalms 20:7.
לַ/מִּלְחָמָ֑ה
milchâmâh
H4421
"battle"
Prep | N-fs
This word means battle or war, describing a fight or conflict. It is used in the Bible to talk about wars and battles, like the ones in the book of Joshua. The KJV translates it as battle or fight.
Definition: battle, war
Usage: Occurs in 308 OT verses. KJV: battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior). See also: Genesis 14:2; 1 Samuel 30:24; 2 Chronicles 13:14.
עַתָּה֙
ʻattâh
H6258
"now"
Adv
This word means now or at this time, like in Exodus when God says now is the time to act. It can also be used to connect ideas or show a change in time, as seen in the book of Isaiah.
Definition: 1) now 1a) now 1b) in phrases
Usage: Occurs in 422 OT verses. KJV: henceforth, now, straightway, this time, whereas. See also: Genesis 3:22; Joshua 24:23; 2 Samuel 24:13.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
מִ֣י
mîy
H4310
"who?"
Part
This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.
Definition: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever
Usage: Occurs in 342 OT verses. KJV: any (man), [idiom] he, [idiom] him, [phrase] O that! what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), [phrase] would to God. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Samuel 15:4; Psalms 4:7.
בָטַ֔חְתָּ
bâṭach
H982
"to trust"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
To trust means to have confidence or faith in something or someone, like the Israelites trusting in God to lead them through the desert, as seen in Psalm 23.
Definition: 1) to trust 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to trust, trust in 1a2) to have confidence, be confident 1a3) to be bold 1a4) to be secure 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to trust, make secure 2) (TWOT) to feel safe, be careless
Usage: Occurs in 117 OT verses. KJV: be bold (confident, secure, sure), careless (one, woman), put confidence, (make to) hope, (put, make to) trust. See also: Deuteronomy 28:52; Psalms 118:8; Psalms 4:6.
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
מָרַ֖דְתָּ
mârad
H4775
"to rebel"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
To rebel means to resist or defy authority, like the Israelites who rebelled against God in the wilderness. This Hebrew word is used to describe rebellion against human leaders, like kings, or against God Himself. It appears in stories like Exodus and Numbers.
Definition: 1) to rebel, revolt, be rebellious 1a) (Qal) to rebel, revolt 1a1) against human king 1a2) against God 1a3) against light (poetic)
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: rebel(-lious). See also: Genesis 14:4; 2 Chronicles 36:13; Isaiah 36:5.
בִּֽ/י
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — 2 Kings 18:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Kings 18:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 18:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 18:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 18:20
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 18:20
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 18:20
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 18:20
- Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 18:20
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 18:20
- Sermons on 2 Kings 18:20
Context — Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem
18Then they called for the king. And Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebnah the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to them.
19The Rabshakeh said to them, “Tell Hezekiah that this is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: What is the basis of this confidence of yours?
20You claim to have a strategy and strength for war, but these are empty words. In whom are you now trusting, that you have rebelled against me?
21Look 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. 22But if you say to me, ‘We trust in the LORD our God,’ is He not the One whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and Jerusalem: ‘You must worship before this altar in Jerusalem’?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 21:30–31 | There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD. A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD. |
2 Kings 18:20 Summary
This verse is a challenge to consider where our trust and confidence come from. The Rabshakeh is questioning the leaders of Judah, asking if their claims of strength and strategy are just empty words. He wants to know who they are really trusting in, and if it's not the king of Assyria, then who is it? This is a question we can ask ourselves too, as we consider our own lives and challenges, and whether we are trusting in God, as encouraged in Psalm 37:3-7, or in something else. By trusting in God, we can have a firm foundation and confidence, even in the face of uncertainty or opposition, as seen in Isaiah 26:3-4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the context of this verse?
This verse is part of a conversation between the Rabshakeh, a representative of the king of Assyria, and the leaders of Judah, where the Rabshakeh is questioning the basis of Judah's confidence in the face of Assyrian aggression, as seen in 2 Kings 18:19.
What does the phrase 'empty words' mean in this verse?
The phrase 'empty words' refers to the claims of strategy and strength for war made by the leaders of Judah, which the Rabshakeh sees as lacking substance or reality, much like the empty promises of the world that are warned against in 1 John 2:15-17.
Who is the 'me' that the Rabshakeh refers to in this verse?
The 'me' in this verse refers to the king of Assyria, whom the Rabshakeh represents, and is a claim of authority and power, similar to the way that Jesus Christ is the ultimate authority and King, as seen in Revelation 19:16.
What is the significance of the question 'In whom are you now trusting'?
This question gets to the heart of the issue, as it highlights the importance of trusting in the one true God, rather than in human strength or alliances, as emphasized in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 17:5-8.
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'empty words' in my own life, and how can I replace them with the substance of God's Word?
- In whom am I trusting when faced with challenges and uncertainties, and how can I cultivate a deeper trust in God?
- What are the potential consequences of trusting in human strength or alliances rather than in God, and how can I avoid these pitfalls?
- How can I, like Hezekiah, trust in the Lord my God, even when faced with overwhelming opposition or pressure to compromise?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 18:20
[See comments on 2 Kings 18:17]
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 18:20
Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 18:20
Thou sayest; either to thy people, to encourage them; or rather, within thyself. But they are but vain words, or, surely, or, only words of the lips, i.e. vain, unprofitable, idle talk, without any effect; or they come not from thy heart; thou speakest this against thy own knowledge. Counsel and strength for the war; counsel to contrive, strength or courage to execute; which two things are of greatest necessity and use for war. But the words are and may be rendered otherwise; either this, thou speakest surely words of the lips, i.e. thou encouragest thyself and thy people with talk and words; but counsel and strength are for war, are necessary for thy defence; neither of which thou hast within thyself, but must seek them from others; and where wilt thou find them? on whom (as it follows) dost thou trust? Or thus, Thou sayest, I have the word of my lips, (either, 1. Words wherewith to pray to God for help; or, 2. Eloquence to encourage my soldiers and people,) counsel and strength for war; i.e. I am furnished with all things necessary for my defence. On whom dost thou trust? seeing it is apparent thou hast not strength of thy own, from whom dost thou expect succours?
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 18:20
2 Kings 18:20 Thou sayest, (but [they are but] vain words,) [I have] counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me? Ver. 20. Thou sayest (but they are but vain words).] Heb., Words of the lips, i.e., frothy and fruitless, forasmuch as thou hast neither counsel nor strength for the war, but dost only word it, as Philip afterwards said the Athenians did. Some read the text not in a parenthesis, and thus paraphrase it: What can Hezekiah say to embolden him? What? I say, saith Hezekiah, I have words of my lips, that is, Prayer, prayer! Saith Rabshakeh: These are empty words, an airy nothing: for counsel and strength are for the war; but of these Hezekiah makes no reckoning, as thinking to do all by prayer, which I hold no better than prittle prattle.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 18:20
(20) Thou sayest (but they are but vain Words).—Literally, thou hast said—a mere lip-word it was—i.e., insincere language, an utterance which thou knewest to be false. (Comp. our expression, “lip-service.”) I have counsel . . .—The margin is wrong.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 18:20
20. Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words)] Some have taken the words in the parenthesis as the object of the verb, so that the sense would be ‘Thou speakest only vain words (when thou talkest about) counsel and strength’. But it is better to leave them as a parenthesis, because of the succeeding question Thou speakest of counsel and strength, whence are they to come? The literal meaning of the expression rendered ‘vain words’, i.e. a word of the lips, which is nothing but so much breath, is very forcible and is preserved on the margin both of A.V. and R.V. Instead of the italics ‘I have’ R.V. inserts There is.
Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 18:20
Hezekiah no doubt believed that in the “counsel” of Eliakim and Isaiah, and in the “strength” promised him by Egypt, he had resources which justified him in provoking a war. Vain words - literally, as in margin, i.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 18:20
20. But they are but vain words — Rather, only a word of the lips; that is, an idle, inconsiderate saying. Compare Job 2:2; Proverbs 14:23.
Sermons on 2 Kings 18:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Now on Whom Dost Thou Trust? by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the profound trust that Hezekiah placed in God amidst the overwhelming might of the Assyrian king, Rabshakeh. He highlights that true confidence in God often |
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(Through the Bible) Nehemiah & Esther by Zac Poonen | This sermon delves into the stories of Nehemiah and Esther, highlighting the contrast between those who are willing to sacrifice for God's work and those who seek comfort and compr |
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The Man Who Knew Too Much by Gilbert K. Chesterton | Gilbert K. Chesterton preaches about the mysterious and elusive Prince Michael, known for his talent of appearing and disappearing at will, leading to a series of daring escapes an |
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Some Considerations Proposed to the City of London, &C. by Isaac Penington | Isaac Penington preaches a sermon urging the City of London and the nation of England to calm their spirits and wait for the Lord's plans, cautioning against rushing into ruin and |
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Wisdom and Grace; Or, Within and Without by H.J. Vine | H.J. Vine preaches about the importance of cultivating the friendship between wisdom and grace as believers, as they are both attributes of God. Believers are encouraged to walk wi |