Isaiah 36 6

Isaiah 36:6 kjv

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 36:6 nkjv

Look! You are trusting in the staff of this broken reed, Egypt, on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.

Isaiah 36:6 niv

Look, I know you are depending on Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff, which pierces the hand of anyone who leans on it! Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who depend on him.

Isaiah 36:6 esv

Behold, you are trusting in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.

Isaiah 36:6 nlt

On Egypt? If you lean on Egypt, it will be like a reed that splinters beneath your weight and pierces your hand. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, is completely unreliable!

Isaiah 36 verses

Isaiah 36 6 Meaning

This verse describes a critical situation where Hezekiah, the king of Judah, has sought military aid from Egypt. However, this alliance is portrayed as a fragile and unreliable one, compared to a broken staff. The verse highlights the foolishness of relying on Egypt, suggesting it will fail to support Judah in their time of need. It's a warning against seeking strength in worldly powers rather than in God.

Isaiah 36 6 Context

This verse appears in the narrative of Sennacherib's invasion of Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah. Assyria, a formidable world power, had conquered much of the surrounding region and was now threatening Jerusalem. Hezekiah, faced with this immense threat, initially considered paying tribute to Sennacherib to avert the invasion. However, in his desperation, he also turned to Egypt for military support, hoping to form an alliance. This verse is spoken by the Rabshakeh, an Assyrian official, to the people of Jerusalem as a means of intimidation and psychological warfare. He uses this analogy to mock Judah's reliance on Egypt, highlighting its inherent weakness and the futility of expecting effective assistance from them. The broader context is God's judgment on Judah for their sin, but also His promise of deliverance through faith and reliance on Him, not on foreign alliances.

Isaiah 36 6 Word Analysis

• Behold (hinnēh):

  • An interjection commanding attention.
  • Draws the listener's focus to the following statement, emphasizing its importance and immediacy.
  • Used frequently to introduce significant declarations or events in scripture.

• you have trusted (batachta):

  • Second person masculine singular perfect form of the verb bāṭaḥ, meaning "to trust," "to rely upon," "to lean upon."
  • Implies a settled confidence or reliance.
  • Highlights the intentionality and depth of their misplaced trust.

• in Egypt (bemitsrayim):

  • Egypt was a prominent nation in the ancient Near East, often viewed as a major power.
  • Historically, Judah had a complex relationship with Egypt, sometimes seeking alliances and at other times being subjugated.
  • Egypt, while a significant power, was ultimately portrayed in scripture as a deceptive and unreliable ally, especially when relied upon in place of God.

• that (ʾašer):

  • A relative pronoun introducing a description or qualification of Egypt.

• broken (šābûr):

  • Past participle, passive, from the verb šābar, meaning "to break," "to shatter."
  • Conveys a state of being broken, fractured, or damaged.
  • It signifies that the staff (Egypt) is not only weak but has a history of failure or damage.

• reed (qaneh):

  • A tall, hollow stalk from a marsh plant, such as a bulrush.
  • Reeds are naturally pliable and weak, easily bent or snapped.
  • Their weakness makes them unsuitable for support.

• of a staff (šebet):

  • A staff or rod.
  • A staff is typically used for support, guidance, or a symbol of authority.
  • The imagery combines a weak material (reed) with an object meant for strength and support, highlighting the contradiction.

• of a staff:

  • This genitive construction shows that the reed is a staff, but a flawed one.

• and if (weḵi):

  • A conditional particle introducing a consequence.

• a man (ʾiš):

  • Refers to any person, symbolizing individuals in general.

• lean (yišeaʿen):

  • Third person masculine singular imperfect of the verb šaʿa, meaning "to lean upon," "to support oneself on."
  • Indicates the action of resting weight or confidence upon something for support.

• upon it (bô):

  • Pronoun referring back to the broken reed staff.

• it will go into (yābôʾ):

  • Third person masculine singular perfect of the verb bōʾ, meaning "to enter," "to go into."
  • The consequence of leaning on the reed is that it will pierce.

• his hand (yādô):

  • Refers to the hand of the man leaning.

• and pierce it (weṯaḥôqennâh):

  • The waw is conjunctive, linking "go into" and "pierce."
  • Tēḥôqen is the third person feminine singular Hiphil perfect of the verb ḥāqaq, meaning "to pierce," "to engrave," "to penetrate." The feminine suffix refers back to yādô (his hand) indirectly or the overall situation caused by the hand. It indicates the reed penetrating the hand.
  • This is a graphic image of painful and debilitating failure of support.

• words-group analysis:

  • "trusted in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff": This entire phrase uses the metaphor of a broken reed used as a staff. A reed itself is weak, and when it's broken, it becomes even less dependable and potentially harmful. Leaning on it will not provide support but will cause pain as it pierces the hand. This vivid imagery underscores Egypt's unreliability as an ally.
  • "if a man lean upon it, it will go into his hand, and pierce it": This elaborates on the consequence of trusting Egypt. The action of leaning signifies seeking support. The "going into the hand" and "piercing" depicts the inevitable betrayal and harm that comes from such misplaced trust, emphasizing the painful and detrimental results of relying on worldly powers over God.

Isaiah 36 6 Bonus Section

The imagery of a broken reed causing injury is not unique to this passage. It reflects a common understanding of the frailty of reeds and their potential to cause harm if misused as a support. This makes the metaphor instantly recognizable and impactful to the original audience. The prophet's consistent theme throughout Isaiah is that Judah’s security lies not in alliances with powerful empires like Egypt or Assyria, but in unwavering faith and obedience to God. The later prophetic books, particularly Jeremiah, often echo this same warning against reliance on Egypt, illustrating the historical consequences of Judah's repeated political misjudgments.

Isaiah 36 6 Commentary

The Rabshakeh’s declaration serves as a powerful taunt, highlighting the folly of Hezekiah's trust in Egypt. The metaphor of a "broken reed of a staff" vividly illustrates Egypt's weakness and inability to provide meaningful aid. Leaning on such a support would inevitably lead to painful injury, just as Judah's reliance on Egypt would prove disastrous if Assyria’s might were encountered. This message was intended to demoralize the Judeans and undermine their confidence in their king’s strategy, urging them to surrender. The underlying divine perspective, however, is that true strength and security are found only in Yahweh, not in the political machinations or military might of nations.