King James Version

What Does Isaiah 36:5 Mean?

Isaiah 36:5 in the King James Version says “I say, sayest thou, (but they are but vain words) I have counsel and strength for war: now on whom dost thou trust, that...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Isaiah 36:5 · KJV

Strength

Context

3

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

4

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?

5

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

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.

7

But if thou say to me, We trust in the LORD our God: is it not he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and said to Judah and to Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar?

Read Isaiah 36 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Rabshakeh's taunt "I say, thy counsel and strength for war are but vain words" attacks the foundation of Hezekiah's trust. The Assyrian accurately identifies that military preparedness requires both strategy ("counsel") and power ("strength"). His claim that Judah possesses neither is designed to demoralize. However, he fundamentally misunderstands the source of Judah's confidence—not military might but divine protection. This reveals the world's inability to comprehend faith-based confidence.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Assyria had crushed multiple rebellions through superior military tactics and overwhelming force. From a human perspective, Judah's resistance appeared foolish.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the world misunderstand confidence placed in God rather than military or economic power?
  2. When has your faith been dismissed as "vain words" by unbelievers?
  3. How do we demonstrate that trust in God is not mere words but substantive reality?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
אָמַ֙רְתִּי֙1 of 14

“I say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַךְ2 of 14
H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

דְּבַר3 of 14

“words”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

שְׂפָתַ֔יִם4 of 14

“sayest thou (but they are but vain”

H8193

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

עֵצָ֥ה5 of 14

“I have counsel”

H6098

advice; by implication, plan; also prudence

וּגְבוּרָ֖ה6 of 14

“and strength”

H1369

force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory

לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה7 of 14

“for war”

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

עַתָּה֙8 of 14
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

עַל9 of 14
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִ֣י10 of 14
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

בָטַ֔חְתָּ11 of 14

“now on whom dost thou trust”

H982

properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure

כִּ֥י12 of 14
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מָרַ֖דְתָּ13 of 14

“that thou rebellest”

H4775

to rebel

בִּֽי׃14 of 14
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

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.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 36:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 36:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 18:7Nehemiah 2:19-20Ezekiel 17:152 Kings 24:1Jeremiah 52:3Proverbs 24:5-6

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