2 Kings 18:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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?

Complete Jewish Bible:

Do you think that mere spoken words constitute strategy and strength for battle? In whom, then, are you trusting when you rebel against me like this?

Berean Standard Bible:

You claim to have a strategy and strength for war, but these are empty words. In whom are you now trusting, that you have rebelled against me?

American Standard Version:

Thou sayest (but they are but vain words), There is counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou hast rebelled against me?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Thou sayest^{H559},(but they are but vain^{H8193} words^{H1697},) I have counsel^{H6098} and strength^{H1369} for the war^{H4421}. Now on whom dost thou trust^{H982}, that thou rebellest^{H4775} against me?

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for 2 Kings 18:20

2 Kings 18:20 is a verse that captures a moment of confrontation during a historical conflict between the Kingdom of Judah and the Assyrian Empire. The verse is part of a larger narrative where Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, sends his servants to Jerusalem to intimidate King Hezekiah and the people of Judah into surrendering. In this specific verse, the Assyrian emissary mocks the reliance of Judah on their own strategies and alliances, calling them "vain words." He challenges Hezekiah's decision to rebel against Assyria, questioning the king's trust in his counsel and military strength.

The themes present in this verse include the tension between political power and faith, the psychological warfare employed by the Assyrians, and the issue of trust in the face of overwhelming odds. Historically, this event occurs during the reign of Hezekiah, who is known for his religious reforms and for seeking to assert Judah's independence from foreign powers. The Assyrian Empire was a dominant force in the ancient Near East, and its interactions with the kingdoms of Israel and Judah are a central focus of the books of Kings.

In summary, 2 Kings 18:20 reflects a critical moment of diplomatic and military tension, highlighting the Assyrian attempt to undermine Hezekiah's confidence in his own capabilities and alliances, while setting the stage for a display of Hezekiah's faith and trust in God, which is further elaborated in the subsequent chapters. This verse underscores the broader biblical theme that true strength and deliverance come not from human might but from reliance on the divine.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: H8193
   There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׂפָה
   Transliteration: sâphâh
   Pronunciation: saw-faw'
   Description: or (in dual and plural) שֶׂפֶת; probably from סָפָה or שָׁפָה through the idea of termination (compare סוֹף); the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.); band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1697
   There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּבָר
   Transliteration: dâbâr
   Pronunciation: daw-baw'
   Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6098
   There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵצָה
   Transliteration: ʻêtsâh
   Pronunciation: ay-tsaw'
   Description: from יָעַץ; advice; by implication, plan; also prudence; advice, advisement, counsel(l-(or)), purpose.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1369
   There are 61 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גְּבוּרָה
   Transliteration: gᵉbûwrâh
   Pronunciation: gheb-oo-raw'
   Description: feminine passive participle from the same as גִּבּוֹר; force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory; force, mastery, might, mighty (act, power), power, strength.
   
6. Strong's Number: H4421
   There are 308 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִלְחָמָה
   Transliteration: milchâmâh
   Pronunciation: mil-khaw-maw'
   Description: from לָחַם (in the sense of fighting); a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare); battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior).
   
7. Strong's Number: H982
   There are 117 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּטַח
   Transliteration: bâṭach
   Pronunciation: baw-takh'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to hide for refuge (but not so precipitately as חָסָה); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure; be bold (confident, secure, sure), careless (one, woman), put confidence, (make to) hope, (put, make to) trust.
   
8. Strong's Number: H4775
   There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָרַד
   Transliteration: mârad
   Pronunciation: maw-rad'
   Description: a primitive root; to rebel; rebel(-lious).