Isaiah 36:5 Meaning and Explanation
“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?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Rabshakeh dismisses talk of strategy and military strength, accusing Hezekiah of rebellion and demanding to know his source of trust.
The Context of Isaiah 36:5
Rabshakeh dismisses Judah's military capacity as empty words and calls Hezekiah a rebel.
What Does Isaiah 36:5 Mean?
Rabshakeh frames Hezekiah's resistance as mere rebellious talk without substance. Any words about having counsel and strength for war, he claims, are empty boasts. By calling them "vain words," he dismisses the very possibility that Judah possesses any real military capability. Rabshakeh then redefines the conflict: Hezekiah has "rebelled" against Assyria, implying that Judah's independence is itself illegitimate.
This accusation of rebellion shifts the moral framing. Rather than presenting this as conquest of a neighboring nation, Rabshakeh portrays it as the crushing of an insolent vassal state. He then returns to his central question: where could Hezekiah's confidence possibly come from? The answer he expects is: nowhere. This rhetorical strategy aims to convince Hezekiah that resistance is not only futile but wrong.
Isaiah 36:5 in the Original Language
vain words (דְּבָרִ֛ים, 'dabarim') — 'words' or 'matters,' but here implying words without substance or truthfulness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 36:5
What does Isaiah 36:5 mean?
Rabshakeh dismisses talk of strategy and military strength, accusing Hezekiah of rebellion and demanding to know his source of trust.
What is the context of Isaiah 36:5?
Rabshakeh dismisses Judah's military capacity as empty words and calls Hezekiah a rebel.