Bible Strands
Isaiah 36:9
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?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Assyrian field commander addresses the Judean representatives stationed at Jerusalem’s gates, speaking during the siege to undermine their resolve. He directly questions their confidence while contrasting their position with his master’s vast forces.
The words — The text highlights תָּשִׁׁיב (ta.Shiv, “will you turn back”) and פַחַת (fa.Chat, “governor”). These terms frame the rhetorical challenge against repelling even one low-ranking official.
The thread — The passage echoes the prohibition against royal reliance on foreign military power found in Deuteronomy 17:16 and parallels the siege narrative in 2 Kings 18:24. It also connects to Isaiah 10:8, where Assyrian commanders boast of their own authority.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that military strength derived from human alliances cannot withstand divine judgment. It forces the reader to evaluate the foundation of their own security.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master’s servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?
Cross-references
- Isaiah 10:8 “Are not all my commanders kings?” he says.
- Deuteronomy 17:16 But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’
- 2 Kings 18:24 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?
- Proverbs 21:31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
- Isaiah 20:5 Those who made Cush their hope and Egypt their boast will be dismayed and ashamed.
- Isaiah 30:2 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.
- Isaiah 30:7 Egypt’s help is futile and empty; therefore I have called her Rahab Who Sits Still.
- Isaiah 30:16 “No,” you say, “we will flee on horses.” Therefore you will flee! “We will ride swift horses,” but your pursuers will be faster.
- Isaiah 31:3 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.
- Isaiah 36:6 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.