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?
Parallel translations
- WEB 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?
- BSB 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?
- ESV Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war? In whom do you now trust, that you have rebelled against me?
- NKJV You speak of having plans and power for war; but they are mere words. And in whom do you trust, that you rebel against me?
- NASB You say—but they are only empty words—‘I have a plan and strength for the war.’ Now on whom have you relied, that you have revolted against me?
- NLT Do you think that mere words can substitute for military skill and strength? Who are you counting on, that you have rebelled against me?
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Rabshakeh mocks Judah's words about counsel and strength for war as empty, asking on whom they really rely. He presses the question of where their trust truly lies.
Overview
The Assyrian dismisses Judah's military readiness as mere talk and probes the real object of their confidence. His taunt exposes that the crisis is fundamentally about trust, the theme running through these chapters. He assumes only chariots and alliances matter, discounting the living God. The account will vindicate the trust he ridicules.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 1
- Prov 21:30–31There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Amid the long decline toward exile, the promise to David's house refuses to die; the flickering lamp kept burning anticipates the coming King who will not fail or be cut off.
How 2 Kings 18:20 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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