2 Kings 18:21 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Rabshakeh warns that Egypt, Judah's hoped-for ally, is a broken reed that will pierce the hand that leans on it.
What Does 2 Kings 18:21 Mean?
The Assyrian mocks any reliance on Egypt, comparing it to a 'bruised reed'-a cracked stalk that splinters and pierces the hand of anyone who uses it as a staff. Pharaoh, he warns, will fail all who lean upon him, and in this particular charge he speaks a measure of truth.
Ironically, the enemy here names a real danger: trusting in human powers that cannot bear our weight. Every earthly support is a bruised reed in the end. The mistake is not in rejecting Egypt but in failing to lean instead on the One staff that will never break. By contrast, Christ is no bruised reed; the One who would not break the bruised reed Himself upholds all who lean on Him.
2 Kings 18:21 in the Original Language
qaneh (קָנֶה), 'reed' -- a hollow river stalk, fragile and easily crushed, a vivid image of unreliable support.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Kings 18:21
What does 2 Kings 18:21 mean?
The Rabshakeh warns that Egypt, Judah's hoped-for ally, is a broken reed that will pierce the hand that leans on it.