2 Kings 18:21

Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, [even] upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so [is] Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.

Now, behold, thou trustest {H982} upon the staff {H4938} of this bruised {H7533} reed {H7070}, even upon Egypt {H4714}, on which if a man {H376} lean {H5564}, it will go {H935} into his hand {H3709}, and pierce {H5344} it: so is Pharaoh {H6547} king {H4428} of Egypt {H4714} unto all that trust {H982} on him.

Now look! Relying on Egypt is like using a broken stick as a staff - when you lean on it, it Hebrew nachash means "serpent," and n'choshet means "bronze." punctures your hand. That's what Pharaoh king of Egypt is like for anyone who puts his trust in him.

Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.

Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.

Commentary

2 Kings 18:21 is a powerful statement delivered by Rabshakeh, the field commander of the Assyrian king Sennacherib, to the people of Judah during the siege of Jerusalem. This verse uses a vivid metaphor to undermine King Hezekiah's leadership and discourage reliance on foreign alliances, particularly Egypt.

Context

The setting is Jerusalem, circa 701 BC, under siege by the formidable Assyrian army. King Hezekiah of Judah, known for his religious reforms and deep trust in the Lord, had rebelled against Assyrian tribute. In response, Sennacherib launched a devastating campaign against Judah, capturing many fortified cities. Rabshakeh, speaking in Hebrew to be understood by the common people, attempts to demoralize Jerusalem's inhabitants and persuade them to surrender without a fight. His strategy involves discrediting Hezekiah's God and any potential allies, particularly Egypt, which Judah had considered seeking aid from.

Key Themes

  • False Security and Unreliable Alliances: The core message is that trusting in human power, specifically the might of Egypt, is utterly futile and dangerous. Egypt is depicted as a "bruised reed," meaning weak, unstable, and unable to support any weight.
  • The Danger of Misplaced Trust: Leaning on a "bruised reed" is not only unhelpful but actively harmful, as it will break and "pierce" the hand that relies on it. This illustrates the painful consequences of putting faith in anything other than God.
  • Human Weakness vs. Divine Strength: Although Rabshakeh intends to highlight Egypt's weakness, the underlying biblical narrative contrasts this with the true source of strength, which is God Himself. This verse implicitly sets up the eventual demonstration of God's power in His miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "bruised reed" (Hebrew: Χ§Χ Χ” Χ”Χ¨Χ¦Χ•Χ₯, qaneh haratzutz) is highly evocative. A "reed" itself is naturally slender and fragile. Adding "bruised" or "splintered" emphasizes its extreme weakness and inherent danger. It's a perfect metaphor for something that looks like it might offer support but is actually broken and will cause injury if leaned upon. The prophet Isaiah had previously warned Judah about relying on Egypt, calling their help "worthless and empty."

Practical Application

This verse offers a timeless warning against placing ultimate trust in unreliable sources. While human alliances, financial security, or personal abilities may seem like strong supports, they can often prove to be "bruised reeds" in times of true crisis. They can fail, disappoint, or even cause harm when leaned upon too heavily. The commentary encourages believers to reflect on where their ultimate security lies. It reinforces the biblical principle to trust in the Lord with all thine heart, rather than relying on human strength or fleeting circumstances. True and lasting support comes only from God, who is never a "bruised reed," but a steadfast rock.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 30:7

    For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength [is] to sit still.

  • Ezekiel 29:6

    And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I [am] the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

  • Ezekiel 29:7

    When they took hold of thee by thy hand, thou didst break, and rend all their shoulder: and when they leaned upon thee, thou brakest, and madest all their loins to be at a stand.

  • Isaiah 30:2

    That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!

  • Isaiah 30:3

    Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt [your] confusion.

  • Jeremiah 46:17

    They did cry there, Pharaoh king of Egypt [is but] a noise; he hath passed the time appointed.

  • Isaiah 31:1

    ΒΆ Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because [they are] many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!
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