CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Kings 18:23 Now, therefore, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses--if you can put riders on them!</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/18-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/12_2Ki_18_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 18:23 - Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now, therefore, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses--if you can put riders on them!" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_kings/18-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_kings/18-23.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_kings/">2 Kings</a> > <a href="/2_kings/18.htm">Chapter 18</a> > Verse 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_kings/18-22.htm" title="2 Kings 18:22">◄</a> 2 Kings 18:23 <a href="/2_kings/18-24.htm" title="2 Kings 18:24">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_kings/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_kings/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220&#8217Come now, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses—if you can put riders on them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“I’ll tell you what! Strike a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you 2,000 horses if you can find that many men to ride on them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Come now, make a wager with my master the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now, therefore, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses—if you can put riders on them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now therefore, I urge you, give a pledge to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses—if you are able on your part to put riders on them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now then, come make a wager with my master the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to put riders on them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Now therefore, come, make a bargain with my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Now therefore, come, make a bargain with my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So now, come, make a bargain with my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to give riders for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now then, make a bargain with my lord the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses, if on your part you can put riders on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“So now, make a bargain with my master the king of Assyria. I’ll give you two thousand horses if you’re able to supply riders for them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So now make a bargain with my master the king of Assyria. I&#8217ll give you 2,000 horses if you&#8217re able to supply riders for them! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The king of Assyria wants to make a bet with you people. He will give you 2,000 horses, if you have enough troops to ride them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Now, make a deal with my master, the king of Assyria. I'll give you 2,000 horses if you can put riders on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I will make a bargain with you in the name of the emperor. I will give you two thousand horses if you can find that many men to ride them! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Come now, and make a deal with my master, the king of Assyria, and I'll give you 2,000 horses, if you can furnish them with riders. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now make a deal with my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses, provided you can find enough riders for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore, please give pledges to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou shalt be able on thy part to set riders upon them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now, therefore, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses—if you can put riders on them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore, please give pledges to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses if you are able on your part to set riders on them. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_kings/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And now, please give a pledge for yourself to my lord the king of Asshur, and I give two thousand horses to you, if you are able to give riders for yourself on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And, now, give a pledge for thee, I pray thee, to my lord the king of Asshur, and I give to thee two thousand horses, if thou art able to give for thee riders on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And now become surety to my lord the king of Assur, and I will give to thee two thousand horses if thou shalt be able to give to thyself riders upon them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore come over to my master the king of the Assyrians, and I will give you two thousand horses, and see whether you be able to have riders for them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now therefore, cross over to my lord, the king of the Assyrians, and I will give to you two thousand horses, and we will see if you even have enough riders for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“Now, make a wager with my lord, the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses if you are able to put riders on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Come now, make a wager with my master the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore, make an alliance with my lord the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses, if you have riders to set upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And now the Assyrians are mixed with my Lord the King, and I shall give you two thousand horses, if you have horsemen whom you will set upon them!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_kings/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now therefore, I pray thee, make a wager with my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And now, I pray you, make and agreement with my lord the king of the Assyrians, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou shalt be able on thy part to set riders upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/18-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=6427" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/18.htm">Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>But if you say to me, ‘We trust in the LORD our God,’ is He not the One whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and Jerusalem: ‘You must worship before this altar in Jerusalem’? <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: wə·‘at·tāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">Now, therefore,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6148.htm" title="6148: hiṯ·‘ā·reḇ (V-Hitpael-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; to braid, i.e. Intermix; technically, to traffic; also or give to be security.">make a bargain</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’eṯ- (Prep) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/113.htm" title="113: ’ă·ḏō·nî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Lord. Or adon; from an unused root; sovereign, i.e. Controller.">my master,</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-msc) -- King. From malak; a king.">the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/804.htm" title="804: ’aš·šūr (N-proper-fs) -- Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them, its region and its empire.">of Assyria.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: wə·’et·tə·nāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.Cohort-1cs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">I will give</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’al·pa·yim (Number-md) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand.">two thousand</a> <a href="/hebrew/5483.htm" title="5483: sū·sîm (N-mp) -- A swallow, swift (type of bird). Or cuc; from an unused root meaning to skip; a horse; also a swallow.">horses—</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">if</a> <a href="/hebrew/3201.htm" title="3201: tū·ḵal (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To be able, have power. Or yakowl; a primitive root; to be able, literally or morally.">you can</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: lā·ṯeṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">put</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7392.htm" title="7392: rō·ḵə·ḇîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To mount and ride, ride. A primitive root; to ride; causatively, to place upon, to despatch.">riders</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on them!</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>For how can you repel a single officer among the least of my master’s servants when you depend on Egypt for chariots and horsemen?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/36-8.htm">Isaiah 36:8</a></span><br />Now, therefore, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses—if you can put riders on them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/32-11.htm">2 Chronicles 32:11-15</a></span><br />Is not Hezekiah misleading you to give you over to death by famine and thirst when he says, ‘The LORD our God will deliver us from the hand of the king of Assyria?’ / Did not Hezekiah himself remove His high places and His altars and say to Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You must worship before one altar, and on it you shall burn sacrifices’? / Do you not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the lands? Have the gods of these nations ever been able to deliver their land from my hand? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-10.htm">Isaiah 37:10-13</a></span><br />“Give this message to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you by saying that Jerusalem will not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. / Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Will you then be spared? / Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-10.htm">2 Kings 19:10-13</a></span><br />“Give this message to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you by saying that Jerusalem will not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. / Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Will you then be spared? / Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-4.htm">2 Kings 17:4</a></span><br />But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea had conspired to send envoys to King So of Egypt, and that he had not paid tribute to the king of Assyria as in previous years. Therefore the king of Assyria arrested Hoshea and put him in prison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Isaiah 30:1-5</a></span><br />“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. / They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade. / But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/31-1.htm">Isaiah 31:1-3</a></span><br />Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD. / Yet He too is wise and brings disaster; He does not call back His words. He will rise up against the house of the wicked and against the allies of evildoers. / But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/37-5.htm">Jeremiah 37:5-10</a></span><br />Pharaoh’s army had left Egypt, and when the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard the report, they withdrew from Jerusalem. / Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet: / “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says that you are to tell the king of Judah, who sent you to Me: Behold, Pharaoh’s army, which has marched out to help you, will go back to its own land of Egypt. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/17-15.htm">Ezekiel 17:15-18</a></span><br />But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’ / ‘As surely as I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘he will die in Babylon, in the land of the king who enthroned him, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke. / Pharaoh with his mighty army and vast horde will not help him in battle, when ramps are built and siege walls constructed to destroy many lives. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/7-11.htm">Hosea 7:11-13</a></span><br />So Ephraim has become like a silly, senseless dove—calling out to Egypt, then turning to Assyria. / As they go, I will spread My net over them; I will bring them down like birds of the air. I will chastise them when I hear them flocking together. / Woe to them, for they have strayed from Me! Destruction to them, for they have rebelled against Me! Though I would redeem them, they speak lies against Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Matthew 6:24</a></span><br />No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/14-31.htm">Luke 14:31-32</a></span><br />Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? / And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-31.htm">Romans 8:31</a></span><br />What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-25.htm">1 Corinthians 1:25</a></span><br />For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/10-3.htm">2 Corinthians 10:3-5</a></span><br />For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Now therefore, I pray you, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver you two thousand horses, if you be able on your part to set riders on them.</p><p class="hdg">pledges.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/17-42.htm">1 Samuel 17:42,44</a></b></br> And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was <i>but</i> a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/20-10.htm">1 Kings 20:10,18</a></b></br> And Benhadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/4-2.htm">Nehemiah 4:2-5</a></b></br> And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/16-5.htm">Able</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-19.htm">Asshur</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-19.htm">Assyria</a> <a href="/leviticus/6-2.htm">Bargain</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-40.htm">Chance</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-39.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-14.htm">Horsemen</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-20.htm">Horses</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-9.htm">Master</a> <a href="/2_kings/11-6.htm">Part</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-4.htm">Please</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-18.htm">Pledge</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-14.htm">Pledges</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-6.htm">Riders</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-19.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-8.htm">Wager</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/18-29.htm">Able</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-28.htm">Asshur</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-28.htm">Assyria</a> <a href="/job/6-27.htm">Bargain</a> <a href="/esther/9-24.htm">Chance</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-29.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-24.htm">Horsemen</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-11.htm">Horses</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-27.htm">Master</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-4.htm">Part</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-26.htm">Please</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-32.htm">Pledge</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/25-24.htm">Pledges</a> <a href="/esther/8-10.htm">Riders</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-35.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-8.htm">Wager</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/18-1.htm">Hezekiah's good reign</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">He destroys idolatry, and prospers</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/18-9.htm">The inhabitants of Samaria are carried captive for their sins</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/18-13.htm">Sennacherib invading Judah, is pacified by a tribute</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/18-17.htm">Rabshakeh, by blasphemous persuasions, solicits the people to revolt</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_kings/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now, therefore, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria.</b><br>This phrase is part of a speech by the Rabshakeh, a high-ranking Assyrian official, during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. The Assyrian Empire, under King Sennacherib, was a dominant power, known for its military might and expansionist policies. The Rabshakeh's proposal to "make a bargain" is a diplomatic tactic, often used by empires to subdue smaller nations without immediate warfare. This reflects the political pressure Judah faced and the temptation to rely on human alliances rather than trusting in God. The Assyrian king is portrayed as a master, emphasizing the subjugation and control Assyria sought over other nations.<p><b>I will give you two thousand horses—</b><br>The offer of two thousand horses is a strategic move, highlighting the military prowess and resources of Assyria. Horses were valuable assets in ancient warfare, used for chariots and cavalry, which were crucial for battle success. This offer is both a taunt and a test of Judah's military capability. It underscores the disparity between Assyria's strength and Judah's perceived weakness. The mention of horses also connects to biblical themes where reliance on horses and chariots is contrasted with reliance on God (<a href="/psalms/20-7.htm">Psalm 20:7</a>).<p><b>if you can put riders on them!</b><br>This challenge exposes Judah's lack of military resources and trained personnel. The Rabshakeh's taunt implies that even if Judah were given the horses, they lacked the manpower and skill to utilize them effectively. This highlights the vulnerability of Judah and serves as a psychological tactic to demoralize the people and leadership. It also reflects the broader biblical narrative where God's people are often depicted as weak in worldly terms, yet called to rely on divine strength. This phrase can be seen as a test of faith, echoing the biblical theme that true power and victory come from God, not human might.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/h/hezekiah.htm">Hezekiah</a></b><br>The king of Judah during this time, known for his faithfulness to God and reforms to restore proper worship in Judah.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/r/rabshakeh.htm">Rabshakeh</a></b><br>The chief cupbearer or high-ranking official of the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, who delivered a message to the people of Judah, challenging their trust in God and Hezekiah.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_of_assyria.htm">King of Assyria (Sennacherib)</a></b><br>The Assyrian king who invaded Judah and sought to conquer Jerusalem, representing a significant threat to the kingdom.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The capital city of Judah, under siege by the Assyrian forces, and the focal point of Hezekiah's defense efforts.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/assyria.htm">Assyria</a></b><br>A dominant empire during this period, known for its military prowess and conquests, posing a significant threat to the smaller kingdom of Judah.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god_over_human_strength.htm">Trust in God Over Human Strength</a></b><br>Rabshakeh's challenge highlights the futility of relying on human resources alone. Believers are reminded to place their trust in God, who is greater than any earthly power.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_faithful_leadership.htm">The Power of Faithful Leadership</a></b><br>Hezekiah's leadership and reforms demonstrate the impact of a leader who prioritizes faithfulness to God. This serves as an example for Christian leaders today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare_and_discernment.htm">Spiritual Warfare and Discernment</a></b><br>The psychological tactics used by Rabshakeh illustrate the importance of discernment in spiritual warfare. Christians must be vigilant against voices that seek to undermine their faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_crisis.htm">God's Sovereignty in Crisis</a></b><br>Despite the overwhelming threat, God's sovereignty is evident throughout the account. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God is in control, even in dire circumstances.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_rabshakeh_speak_hebrew.htm">2 Kings 18:17 - Why would Rabshakeh speak in Hebrew if he didn't want Judah's people to hear his threats?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_2_chron._23_1-7_and_2_kings_11_differ.htm">Why do the details in 2 Chronicles 23:1-7 differ from the parallel account in 2 Kings 11, suggesting possible biblical inconsistencies?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_2_kings_23_25_exalt_josiah_over_david.htm">Why does 2 Kings 23:25 suggest Josiah surpassed even David in devotion, seemingly contradicting other texts that exalt David's faithfulness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_non-biblical_sources_support_ezekiel_23.htm">Do any ancient sources outside the Bible corroborate the nations' interventions described in Ezekiel 23, or is the account solely a theological narrative?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) <span class= "bld">Give pledges to.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">make a compact with</span> . . . So the Syriac; literally, <span class= "ital">mingle with</span> . . . <span class= "ital">have dealings with</span> (<a href="/psalms/106-35.htm" title="But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.">Psalm 106:35</a>). Gesenius explains: <span class= "ital">join battle with;</span> literally, <span class= "ital">mingle yourselves with:</span> LXX., <span class= "greekheb">??????? ??</span>. Mr. Cheyne prefers, <span class= "ital">lay a wager with</span> . . . The <span class= "ital">rab-sak</span> sneers at Hezekiah's want of cavalry, an arm in which the Assyrians were preeminently strong; and further hints that even if horses were supplied him in numbers sufficient to constitute an ordinary troop, he would not be able to muster an equivalent number of trained riders.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the King of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.</span> "Pledge thyself," <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "to find the men, and I will pledge myself to find the horses." It is a strong expression of contempt for the military power of the Jews. They have not only no trained cavalry, but, were any one to furnish them with two thousand horses, they could not find the men to ride them. The Jewish army does, in fact, appear to have consisted of infantry and chariots only. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/18-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Now, therefore,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַתָּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> </span><span class="str2">At this time</span><br /><br /><span class="word">make a bargain</span><br /><span class="heb">הִתְעָ֣רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(hiṯ·‘ā·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6148.htm">Strong's 6148: </a> </span><span class="str2">To braid, intermix, technically, to traffic, give to be security</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nearness, near, with, by, at, among</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my master,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲדֹנִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḏō·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_113.htm">Strong's 113: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sovereign, controller</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the king</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶ֣לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Assyria.</span><br /><span class="heb">אַשּׁ֑וּר</span> <span class="translit">(’aš·šūr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_804.htm">Strong's 804: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ashshur</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will give</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶתְּנָ֤ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’et·tə·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="heb">לְךָ֙</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">two thousand</span><br /><span class="heb">אַלְפַּ֣יִם</span> <span class="translit">(’al·pa·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - md<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_505.htm">Strong's 505: </a> </span><span class="str2">A thousand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">horses—</span><br /><span class="heb">סוּסִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(sū·sîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5483.htm">Strong's 5483: </a> </span><span class="str2">A swallow, swift (type of bird)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you can</span><br /><span class="heb">תּוּכַ֕ל</span> <span class="translit">(tū·ḵal)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3201.htm">Strong's 3201: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be able, have power</span><br /><br /><span class="word">put</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֥תֶת</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ṯeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">riders</span><br /><span class="heb">רֹכְבִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(rō·ḵə·ḇîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7392.htm">Strong's 7392: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ride, to place upon, to despatch</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on them!</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·lê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/18-23.htm">2 Kings 18:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/18-23.htm">2 Kings 18:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/18-23.htm">2 Kings 18:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/18-23.htm">2 Kings 18:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/18-23.htm">2 Kings 18:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/18-23.htm">2 Kings 18:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/18-23.htm">2 Kings 18:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/18-23.htm">2 Kings 18:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/18-23.htm">2 Kings 18:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/18-23.htm">2 Kings 18:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/18-23.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 18:23 Now therefore Please give pledges to my (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/18-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 18:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 18:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/18-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 18:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 18:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>