2 Kings 18:21 · KJV
“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. {trustest: Heb. trustest thee}”
— 2 Kings 18:21
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...: Heb. word of the lips} {I have...: or, but counsel and strength are for the war}
But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: {is} not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?
2 Kings 18 — Context
And Rabshakeh said unto them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence {is} this wherein thou trustest?
20Thou 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...: Heb. word of the lips} {I have...: or, but counsel and strength are for the war}
21Now, 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. {trustest: Heb. trustest thee}
22But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: {is} not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?
23Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them. {pledges: or, hostages}
Cross References
Isaiah 30:7
For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength {is} to sit still. {concerning...: or, to her}
Ezekiel 29:6-7
And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I {am} the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.
Isaiah 30:2-3
That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
2 Kings 17:4
And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as {he had done} year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison. {present: or, tribute}
Jeremiah 46:17
They did cry there, Pharaoh king of Egypt {is but} a noise; he hath passed the time appointed.
Isaiah 36:6
Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so {is} Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.
Isaiah 31:1-3
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because {they are} many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!