2 Kings 18 24

2 Kings 18:24 kjv

How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?

2 Kings 18:24 nkjv

How then will you repel one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put your trust in Egypt for chariots and horsemen?

2 Kings 18:24 niv

How can you repulse one officer of the least of my master's officials, even though you are depending on Egypt for chariots and horsemen?

2 Kings 18:24 esv

How then can you repulse a single captain among the least of my master's servants, when you trust in Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?

2 Kings 18:24 nlt

With your tiny army, how can you think of challenging even the weakest contingent of my master's troops, even with the help of Egypt's chariots and charioteers?

2 Kings 18 verses

2 Kings 18 24 Meaning

This verse is part of Rabshakeh's taunt to King Hezekiah's officials during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. It challenges Judah's ability to resist Assyrian power, suggesting they are so weak they cannot even repel the lowest-ranking Assyrian official. The core accusation is that Judah is placing its trust in Egypt for military support—specifically chariots and horsemen—rather than relying on their God, Yahweh. Rabshakeh uses this to highlight Judah's perceived military impotence and its misplaced hope in human alliances, thereby undermining their resolve and faith.

2 Kings 18 24 Context

This verse is uttered by the Rabshakeh, an Assyrian field commander and chief cupbearer, speaking on behalf of King Sennacherib of Assyria, who is besieging Jerusalem around 701 BC. King Hezekiah of Judah had initially rebelled against Assyria and sought an alliance with Egypt (which Assyria considered an enemy). The Rabshakeh, standing within earshot of Jerusalem's walls, delivers a psychological assault on Judah, aiming to break their morale and persuade them to surrender. His speech highlights Judah's perceived weakness, their failure to receive help from their trusted ally, Egypt, and even blasphemes Yahweh, claiming the Lord Himself sent the Assyrians. Verse 24 is part of this strategic rhetorical attack, designed to make Jerusalem's inhabitants feel helpless and abandoned.

2 Kings 18 24 Word analysis

• How then: אֵיךְ (ʾêḵ) – "how, in what manner." A rhetorical question expressing incredulity and mocking impossibility from the speaker's perspective. It sets a sarcastic tone.

• can you repulse: תָּשִׁיב (tāšîḇ) – "you can turn away," "you can bring back." From the root שׂוּב (šuv), meaning "to turn, return." Here, in the causative (hiphil) stem, it means "cause to turn away, repulse." Rabshakeh suggests Judah lacks the military capability even to ward off a minor threat.

• a single officer: פַּחַת אֶחָד (paḥath ʾeḥād) – פַּחַת (paḥath) means "governor, deputy, commissioner, chief." It often denotes a regional administrator or high official, not necessarily a lowly one. אֶחָד (ʾeḥād) means "one." The phrasing indicates "even one high-ranking official."

• among the least: קְטַנִּי (qəṭannî) – "my little ones," or "the least." This is a hyperbolic dismissal by Rabshakeh. He asserts that the formidable Assyrian officials Judah faces are, in reality, merely "the least" of his master's countless, more powerful servants, underscoring Judah's extreme weakness. This magnifies Assyrian power and diminishes Judah's.

• of my master’s servants: Refers to the numerous officials and military commanders of Sennacherib, the king of Assyria. It emphasizes the vastness and organization of the Assyrian military machine.

• when you trust: וַתִּבְטַח (vattivṭaḥ) – "and you trust/rely." From בָּטַח (bâṭaḥ), meaning "to trust, feel secure, rely on." This word is central to biblical theology regarding where faith or confidence should be placed. Rabshakeh uses it pointedly, knowing Hezekiah's reform movement emphasized trust in Yahweh. Here, the trust is misplaced in worldly power.

• in Egypt: Referring to the nation of Egypt, often seen as a symbol of worldly strength and a source of military aid for smaller nations like Judah seeking protection against major empires. For Israel, seeking aid from Egypt was frequently condemned by prophets as a lack of trust in God (e.g., Isa 30-31).

• for chariots: רֶכֶב (rekheḇ) – "chariot, chariotry." Chariots were a dominant military technology of the ancient Near East, symbolizing power, speed, and might.

• and for horsemen: פָּרָשִׁים (pārāšîm) – "horsemen, cavalry." Another vital component of ancient military strength.

• "How then can you repulse... when you trust in Egypt": This phrase functions as a cause-and-effect rhetorical attack. Rabshakeh argues that Judah's reliance on human military aid from Egypt renders them incapable of even a minor defense, effectively stripping them of both internal strength and reliable external support. The question simultaneously asserts Judah's feebleness and highlights the perceived futility of their trust in Egypt. This is a common theme in prophetic critiques against Judah's political alliances over their divine covenant.

• "a single officer among the least of my master’s servants": This exaggerated claim of an Assyrian "least" officer's might underscores the Rabshakeh's taunting and aims to demoralize. It creates a stark contrast: a powerful nation like Judah, supposedly allied with mighty Egypt, cannot even defeat the most minor elements of the vast Assyrian empire.

2 Kings 18 24 Bonus section

Rabshakeh's speech serves as a dramatic literary foil, providing the necessary contrast to highlight Hezekiah's eventual pivot back to trust in Yahweh and God's powerful deliverance. The historical accuracy of Egypt's inability to provide substantial military support during this period underscores Rabshakeh's point. Furthermore, this verse highlights the consistent prophetic warning in the Old Testament that God's people should not seek security in the strength of horses and chariots, which represent worldly might, but in the power and protection of God Himself. It sets the stage for the narrative's climax where God's seemingly impossible salvation transcends all human expectations and military prowess.

2 Kings 18 24 Commentary

2 Kings 18:24 encapsulates the Assyrian strategy of psychological warfare. Rabshakeh’s words are not just a military assessment but a theological and political challenge. By belittling Judah's ability to "repulse a single officer," he seeks to crush their morale, implying their strength is negligible. This statement is made more poignant by his observation that Judah is simultaneously "trust[ing] in Egypt for chariots and for horsemen." This exposes Judah’s desperate state and perceived misplaced faith. The Law and Prophets frequently warned against seeking alliances and military aid from powerful nations like Egypt, urging reliance on Yahweh alone (Deut 17:16; Isa 30:1-7, 31:1-3). Rabshakeh's taunt, whether he knew it or not, echoes divine judgment against such faithlessness. It sets the stage for Hezekiah's response, which ultimately involves turning from human solutions to God, leading to miraculous divine intervention.

• Practical Usage Example:
  • Trust in God: When faced with overwhelming challenges, do not put your hope in mere human resources or alliances that seem powerful on their own terms.
  • Identify Misplaced Trust: Recognize where you might be leaning on worldly provisions or abilities instead of truly depending on God's sovereignty.