2 Kings 18:20
<< 2 Kings 18:20 >>
New International Version (©1984)
You say you have strategy and military strength--but you speak only empty words. On whom are you depending, that you rebel against me?

New Living Translation (©2007)
Do you think that mere words can substitute for military skill and strength? Who are you counting on, that you have rebelled against me?

English Standard Version (©2001)
Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war? In whom do you now trust, that you have rebelled against me?

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"You say (but they are only empty words), 'I have counsel and strength for the war.' Now on whom do you rely, that you have rebelled against me?

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
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?

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
You give useless advice about getting ready for war. Whom, then, do you trust for support in your rebellion against me?

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
You say, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom do you trust, that you rebel against me?

American King James Version
You say, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom do you trust, that you rebel against me?

American Standard Version
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?

Douay-Rheims Bible
Perhaps thou hast taken counsel, to prepare thyself for battle. On whom dost thou trust, that thou darest to rebel?

Darby Bible Translation
Thou sayest but it is a word of the lips There is counsel and strength for war. Now on whom dost thou rely, that thou hast revolted against me?

English Revised Version
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?

Webster's Bible Translation
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?

World English Bible
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?

Young's Literal Translation
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?

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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. e., a mere word, to which the facts do not correspond.


Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

"Thou sayest ... it is only a lip-word...: counsel and might for battle;" i.e., if thou speakest of counsel and might for battle, that is only שׂפתים דּבר, a word that merely comes from the lips, not from the heart, the seat of the understanding, i.e., a foolish and inconsiderate saying (cf. Proverbs 14:23; Job 11:2). - עמרתּ is to be preferred to the אמרתּי of Isaiah as the more original of the two. עתּה, now, sc. we will see on whom thou didst rely, when thou didst rebel against me.


Geneva Study Bible

Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have {f} counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?

(f) You think that words will serve to persuade your people, or to move my master.


King James Translators' Notes

sayest: or, talkest

vain...: Heb. word of the lips

I have...: or, but counsel and strength are for the war


Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

18:17-37 Rabshakeh tries to convince the Jews, that it was to no purpose for them to stand it out. What confidence is this wherein thou trustest? It were well if sinners would submit to the force of this argument, in seeking peace with God. It is, therefore, our wisdom to yield to him, because it is in vain to contend with him: what confidence is that which those trust in who stand out against him? A great deal of art there is in this speech of Rabshakeh; but a great deal of pride, malice, falsehood, and blasphemy. Hezekiah's nobles held their peace. There is a time to keep silence, as well as a time to speak; and there are those to whom to offer any thing religious or rational, is to cast pearls before swine. Their silence made Rabshakeh yet more proud and secure. It is often best to leave such persons to rail and blaspheme; a decided expression of abhorrence is the best testimony against them. The matter must be left to the Lord, who has all hearts in his hands, committing ourselves unto him in humble submission, believing hope, and fervent prayer.


2 Kings 18:7 And the LORD was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him.
Isaiah 36:5 You say you have strategy and military strength--but you speak only empty words. On whom are you depending, that you rebel against me?

Authority Battle Counsel Depending Design Empty Lips Mere Military Rebel Rebelled Rebellest Rely Speak Strategy Strength Support Think Trust Trusted Vain War Word Words


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?

sayest. or, talkest. vain words. Heb. word of the lips. I have counsel and strength for the war. or, but counsel and strength are for the war. Pr 21:30,31

rebellest. 14

2 Kings Chapter 18 Verse 20

Alphabetical: but against and are but counsel depending do empty for have I me military Now On only rebel rebelled rely say speak strategy strength that the they war whom words words You

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OT History: 2 Kings 18:20 You say but they are but vain (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) Christian Bible Study Resources, Dictionary, Concordance and Search Tools

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