King James Version
Isaiah 36:4 in the King James Version says “And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?”
Isaiah 36:4 · KJV
And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field.
Then came forth unto him Eliakim, Hilkiah's son, which was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, Asaph's son, the recorder. scribe: or, secretary
And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?
I say, sayest thou, (but they are but vain words) I have counsel and strength for war: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me? vain: Heb. a word of lips I have: or, but counsel and strength are for the war
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.
KJV Study — Public Domain
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
“ye now to Hezekiah”
H2396chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
“of Assyria”
H804ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
“is this wherein thou trustest”
H982properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Isaiah 36:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Isaiah 36:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge