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<!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>Isaiah 36:5 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?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/36-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/23_Isa_36_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 36:5 - Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You claim to have a strategy and strength for war, but these are empty words. 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On whom are you depending, that you rebel against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/36.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Do you think that mere words can substitute for military skill and strength? Who are you counting on, that you have rebelled against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/36.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war? In whom do you now trust, that you have rebelled against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/36.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/36.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I say, <i>sayest thou</i>, (but <i>they are but</i> vain words) <i>I have</i> counsel and strength for war: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/36.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />I say you speak of having plans and power for war; but <i>they are</i> mere words. Now in whom do you trust, that you rebel against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/36.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />I say, ‘Your plan and strength for the war are only empty words.’ Now on whom have you relied, that you have revolted against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/36.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220I say, &#8216Your counsel and strength for the war are only empty words.&#8217 Now on whom do you rely, that you have rebelled against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/36.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“I say, ‘Your counsel and strength for the war are only empty words.’ Now on whom do you rely, that you have rebelled against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/36.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />I say, ‘Your counsel and might for the war are only empty words.’ Now in whom do you trust, that you have rebelled against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/36.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />I say, ‘Your plan and strength for the war are only empty words.’ Now in whom do you trust <i>and</i> on whom do you rely, that you have rebelled against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/36.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You think mere words are strategy and strength for war. Who are you now relying on that you have rebelled against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/36.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I say that your strategy and military preparedness are mere words. What are you now relying on that you have rebelled against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/36.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I say, thy counsel and strength for the war are but vain words: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou hast rebelled against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/36.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Does he think he can plan and win a war with nothing but words? Who is going to help him, now that he has turned against the king of Assyria? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/36.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I say, thy counsel and strength for the war are but vain words: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou hast rebelled against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/36.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You give useless advice about getting ready for war. Whom, then, do you trust for support in your rebellion against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/36.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He demanded, "Do you think that words can take the place of military skill and might? Who do you think will help you rebel against Assyria? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/36.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Do you really think that guarantees alone can withstand strategy and military strength? On whom are you now depending, that you're rebelling against me? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/36.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Your claim to have a strategy and military strength is just empty talk. In whom are you trusting, that you would dare to rebel against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/36.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Do you think that empty words are strategy and power for war? Now in whom do you trust, that you have rebelled against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/36.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I say, sayest thou (but they are but vain words) I have counsel and strength for war: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/36.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/36.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I say that your counsel and strength for the war are only vain words. Now in whom do you trust, that you have rebelled against me? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/36.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />I have said, Only a word of the lips! Counsel and might [are] for battle. Now, on whom have you trusted, that you have rebelled against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/36.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> I have said: Only, a word of the lips! counsel and might are for battle: now, on whom hast thou trusted, that thou hast rebelled against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/36.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />I said, (also a word of the lips) Counsel and strength for the war; now upon whom trustedst thou that thou didst rebel against me?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/36.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Or with what counsel or strength dost thou prepare for war? on whom dost thou trust, that thou art revolted from me? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/36.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And by what counsel or strength would you prepare to rebel? In whom do you have faith, so much so that you would withdraw from me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/36.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Do you think mere words substitute for strategy and might in war? In whom, then, do you place your trust, that you rebel against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/36.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war? On whom do you now rely, that you have rebelled against me?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/36.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Saying, I am an eloquent speaker, and have counsel and strength for war; now on whom do you trust, that you have rebelled against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/36.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And you have said that there is among you speaking of the lips and counsel and might for battle. Now, on whom have you trusted that you have rebelled against me?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/36.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />I said: It is but vain words; for counsel and strength are for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou hast rebelled against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/36.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Is war carried on with counsel and <i>mere</i> words of the lips? and now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/36-5.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/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=7456" 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/isaiah/36.htm">Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>The Rabshakeh said to them, “Tell Hezekiah that this is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: What is the basis of this confidence of yours? <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">You claim to have</a> <a href="/hebrew/6098.htm" title="6098: ‘ê·ṣāh (N-fs) -- Counsel, advice. From ya'ats; advice; by implication, plan; also prudence.">a strategy</a> <a href="/hebrew/1369.htm" title="1369: ū·ḡə·ḇū·rāh (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Strength, might. Feminine passive participle from the same as gibbowr; force; by implication, valor, victory.">and strength</a> <a href="/hebrew/4421.htm" title="4421: lam·mil·ḥā·māh (Prep-l, Art:: N-fs) -- A battle, war. From lacham; a battle; generally, war.">for war,</a> <a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: ’aḵ- (Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only.">but</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: də·ḇar- (N-msc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">these are empty</a> <a href="/hebrew/8193.htm" title="8193: śə·p̄ā·ṯa·yim (N-fd) -- Or sepheth; probably from caphah or shaphah through the idea of termination; the lip; by implication, language; by analogy, a margin.">words.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">In</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">whom</a> <a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: ‘at·tāh (Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">are you now</a> <a href="/hebrew/982.htm" title="982: ḇā·ṭaḥ·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To trust. A primitive root; properly, to hie for refuge; figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure.">trusting,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/4775.htm" title="4775: mā·raḏ·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To rebel. A primitive root; to rebel.">you have rebelled</a> <a href="/hebrew/bî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">against me?</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>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.…<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="/2_kings/18-19.htm">2 Kings 18:19-21</a></span><br />The Rabshakeh said to them, “Tell Hezekiah that this is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: What is the basis of this confidence of yours? / 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? / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/32-10.htm">2 Chronicles 32:10-11</a></span><br />“This is what Sennacherib king of Assyria says: What is the basis of your confidence, that you remain in Jerusalem under siege? / 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?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Isaiah 30:1-3</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="/jeremiah/2-36.htm">Jeremiah 2:36-37</a></span><br />How impulsive you are, constantly changing your ways! You will be disappointed by Egypt just as you were by Assyria. / Moreover, you will leave that place with your hands on your head, for the LORD has rejected those you trust; you will not prosper by their help.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/29-6.htm">Ezekiel 29:6-7</a></span><br />Then all the people of Egypt will know that I am the LORD. For you were only a staff of reeds to the house of Israel. / When Israel took hold of you with their hands, you splintered, tearing all their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you broke, and their backs were wrenched.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/5-13.htm">Hosea 5:13</a></span><br />When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria and sent to the great king. But he cannot cure you or heal your wound.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/7-11.htm">Hosea 7:11</a></span><br />So Ephraim has become like a silly, senseless dove—calling out to Egypt, then turning to Assyria.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/12-1.htm">Hosea 12:1</a></span><br />Ephraim feeds on the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; he multiplies lies and violence; he makes a covenant with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/118-8.htm">Psalm 118:8-9</a></span><br />It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. / It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/146-3.htm">Psalm 146:3</a></span><br />Put not your trust in princes, in mortal man, who cannot save.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-30.htm">Proverbs 21:30-31</a></span><br />There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD. / A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-5.htm">Jeremiah 17:5</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes mere flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-8.htm">Matthew 15:8-9</a></span><br />‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-28.htm">Matthew 23:28</a></span><br />In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/7-6.htm">Mark 7:6-7</a></span><br />Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I say, say you, (but they are but vain words) I have counsel and strength for war: now on whom do you trust, that you rebel against me?</p><p class="hdg">vain words.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/21-30.htm">Proverbs 21:30,31</a></b></br> <i>There is</i> no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/24-5.htm">Proverbs 24:5,6</a></b></br> A wise man <i>is</i> strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength… </p><p class="hdg">that</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/18-7.htm">2 Kings 18:7</a></b></br> And the LORD was with him; <i>and</i> he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/24-1.htm">2 Kings 24:1</a></b></br> In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/2-19.htm">Nehemiah 2:19,20</a></b></br> But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard <i>it</i>, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What <i>is</i> this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/30-30.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-9.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-2.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-21.htm">Depending</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-24.htm">Design</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-6.htm">Empty</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-27.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-4.htm">Mere</a> <a href="/esther/1-3.htm">Military</a> <a href="/isaiah/35-2.htm">Power</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-6.htm">Rebelled</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-20.htm">Rebellest</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-1.htm">Rely</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-6.htm">Revolted</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-6.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Strategy</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-6.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/isaiah/35-3.htm">Support</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-15.htm">Think</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-4.htm">Trust</a> <a href="/isaiah/25-9.htm">Trusted</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-7.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-23.htm">War</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-9.htm">Word</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-4.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/36-10.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-25.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-14.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-6.htm">Depending</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-26.htm">Design</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-29.htm">Empty</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-29.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-11.htm">Mere</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-10.htm">Military</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-3.htm">Power</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-27.htm">Rebelled</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-20.htm">Rebellest</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-6.htm">Rely</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-23.htm">Revolted</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-11.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-20.htm">Strategy</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-3.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-6.htm">Support</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-15.htm">Think</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-6.htm">Trust</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-19.htm">Trusted</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-8.htm">War</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-21.htm">Word</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-12.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 36</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/36-1.htm">Sennacherib invades Judah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/36-2.htm">Rabshakeh, sent by Sennacherib, solicits the people to revolt</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/36-22.htm">His words are told to Hezekiah</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/isaiah/36.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/36.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You claim to have a strategy and strength for war</b><br>This phrase is part of a taunt from the Assyrian field commander, the Rabshakeh, directed at the people of Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah. The Assyrians were known for their military prowess and had already conquered many nations, including the northern kingdom of Israel. The Rabshakeh's words challenge Judah's confidence in their military plans and capabilities. Historically, Judah was a smaller kingdom with limited military resources compared to the vast Assyrian empire. This phrase highlights the futility of relying solely on human strategies and strength without divine support, a recurring theme in the Old Testament.<p><b>but these are empty words</b><br>The Rabshakeh dismisses Judah's confidence as baseless, suggesting that their plans and declarations of strength are mere rhetoric without substance. This reflects a common biblical theme where human boasting and self-reliance are contrasted with the need for dependence on God. In the broader biblical narrative, true strength and victory come from God, not from human might or wisdom. This is echoed in passages like <a href="/psalms/20-7.htm">Psalm 20:7</a>, which emphasizes trust in the name of the Lord over chariots and horses.<p><b>In whom are you now trusting</b><br>This question challenges the foundation of Judah's faith and trust. Historically, Judah had been tempted to form alliances with other nations, such as Egypt, to secure military support against Assyria. The Rabshakeh's question is designed to undermine any confidence Judah might have in such alliances or in their own strength. Biblically, trust in God is a central theme, and the prophets often rebuked Israel and Judah for placing their trust in foreign powers instead of in God. This question invites reflection on where true security and trust should be placed.<p><b>that you have rebelled against me?</b><br>The Rabshakeh frames Judah's resistance as rebellion against Assyria, which was the dominant power of the time. Historically, vassal states like Judah were expected to pay tribute and submit to the authority of their overlords. By resisting, Judah was defying the political and military expectations of the era. This phrase also highlights the tension between earthly authority and divine command. In the biblical context, Hezekiah's rebellion can be seen as an act of faithfulness to God, who had called His people to trust in Him alone. This mirrors the broader biblical narrative where God's people are often called to stand against worldly powers in obedience to divine authority.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/h/hezekiah.htm">Hezekiah</a></b><br>The King of Judah during the time of the Assyrian invasion. He is known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to reform the religious practices of Judah.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/sennacherib.htm">Sennacherib</a></b><br>The King of Assyria, who led a campaign against Judah and laid siege to Jerusalem. He is a central figure in the account of <a href="/bsb/isaiah/36.htm">Isaiah 36</a>.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/r/rabshakeh.htm">Rabshakeh</a></b><br>The Assyrian field commander who delivered the message to the people of Jerusalem, challenging their trust in God and King Hezekiah.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The capital city of Judah, which was under threat from the Assyrian army during this event.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/assyrian_invasion.htm">Assyrian Invasion</a></b><br>A significant historical event where the Assyrian Empire sought to conquer Judah, testing the faith and leadership of King Hezekiah.<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>The verse challenges us to examine where we place our trust. Are we relying on our own strategies and strength, or are we truly trusting in God?<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_empty_words.htm">The Futility of Empty Words</a></b><br>Words without faith and action are empty. We must ensure that our declarations of faith are backed by genuine trust in God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faith_in_crisis.htm">The Importance of Faith in Crisis</a></b><br>In times of crisis, like the siege of Jerusalem, our faith is tested. We must learn to lean on God rather than our own understanding or resources.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_deliverance.htm">God's Sovereignty in Deliverance</a></b><br>The account reminds us that God is sovereign and capable of delivering us from seemingly insurmountable challenges when we place our trust in Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership_in_faith.htm">The Role of Leadership in Faith</a></b><br>Hezekiah's leadership and faith were crucial for Judah. As leaders in our communities or families, we must model trust in God and guide others to do the same.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_36.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 36</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/should_you_not_resist_an_evil_person.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'Do Not Fear, Only Believe'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_militarism.htm">What defines militarism?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_isaiah_36_4-6_reflect_egypt's_alliances.htm">Isaiah 36:4-6: Does the text accurately represent the complexity of alliances with Egypt, which many historians dispute or find unclear?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_christianity_prioritize_faith.htm">Why does Christianity demand faith when critical thinking and evidence are more reliable ways of knowing truth?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/36.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5, 6) <span class= "bld">I have counsel and strength for war . . .</span>--Reports of Hezekiah's speech. probably also of his negotiations with Egypt, had reached the ears of the Assyrian king. So Sennacherib. in his inscriptions, speaks of "the king of Egypt as a monarch who could not save those who trusted in him" (Smith, <span class= "ital">Assyrian Canon</span>)<span class= "ital">. </span>The Pharaoh in this case was Shabatoka, or Sabaco II., the father of the Tir-hakah of Isa xxxvii 9, one of the Ethiopian dynasty that reigned in Egypt from B.C. 725-665.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/36.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I say</span>. In <a href="/2_kings/18-20.htm">2 Kings 18:20</a> we read, "Thou sayest" for "I say," which gives a better sense. Dr. Kay holds the two forms to be "complementary." <span class="cmt_word">I have counsel and strength for war</span>. Either the words of Hezekiah had been reported to Sennacherib, or he rightly divined Hezekiah's thoughts. It was, no doubt, in reliance on the "counsel" of Eliakim and the "strength" of Egypt that the Jewish monarch had a second time provoked his suzerain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/36-5.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">You claim</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֙רְתִּי֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[to have] a strategy</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵצָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·ṣāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6098.htm">Strong's 6098: </a> </span><span class="str2">Advice, plan, prudence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and strength</span><br /><span class="heb">וּגְבוּרָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḡə·ḇū·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1369.htm">Strong's 1369: </a> </span><span class="str2">Force, valor, victory</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for war,</span><br /><span class="heb">לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(lam·mil·ḥā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4421.htm">Strong's 4421: </a> </span><span class="str2">A battle, war</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but</span><br /><span class="heb">אַךְ־</span> <span class="translit">(’aḵ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_389.htm">Strong's 389: </a> </span><span class="str2">A particle of affirmation, surely</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[these are] empty</span><br /><span class="heb">דְּבַר־</span> <span class="translit">(də·ḇar-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">words.</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׂפָתַ֔יִם</span> <span class="translit">(śə·p̄ā·ṯa·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - fd<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8193.htm">Strong's 8193: </a> </span><span class="str2">The lip, language, a margin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">On</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<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 /><br /><span class="word">whom</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are you now</span><br /><span class="heb">עַתָּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">relying,</span><br /><span class="heb">בָטַ֔חְתָּ</span> <span class="translit">(ḇā·ṭaḥ·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_982.htm">Strong's 982: </a> </span><span class="str2">To trust, be confident, sure</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you have rebelled</span><br /><span class="heb">מָרַ֖דְתָּ</span> <span class="translit">(mā·raḏ·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4775.htm">Strong's 4775: </a> </span><span class="str2">To rebel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against me?</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(bî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/36-5.htm">Isaiah 36:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/36-5.htm">Isaiah 36:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/36-5.htm">Isaiah 36:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/36-5.htm">Isaiah 36:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/36-5.htm">Isaiah 36:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/36-5.htm">Isaiah 36:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/36-5.htm">Isaiah 36:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/36-5.htm">Isaiah 36:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/36-5.htm">Isaiah 36:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/36-5.htm">Isaiah 36:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/36-5.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 36:5 I say that your counsel and strength (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/36-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 36:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 36:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/36-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 36:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 36:6" /></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>