Isaiah 36:6 Meaning and Explanation
“Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Rabshakeh mocks Hezekiah's reliance on Egypt as a broken reed that will cut and wound rather than support.
The Context of Isaiah 36:6
Rabshakeh compares Hezekiah's trust in Egypt to leaning on a broken reed that wounds rather than supports.
What Does Isaiah 36:6 Mean?
The metaphor of a broken reed is vivid and devastating. A reed, when broken and leaned upon, does not support weight but rather collapses and splinters, cutting the hand of whoever depends on it. Rabshakeh applies this image to Egypt, suggesting that any trust Hezekiah places in Egyptian military aid is foolish because Egypt is weak and unreliable. This insult targets what may have been Judah's actual strategy: seeking Egyptian assistance against Assyria.
By equating Pharaoh with a broken reed, Rabshakeh attempts to demolish one potential source of Hezekiah's confidence. He wants to convince Judah's leaders that they cannot depend on Egyptian help, that such hope is not only false but actively dangerous. This attack on political alliances leaves Hezekiah with fewer apparent options and narrows the psychological space for resistance.
Isaiah 36:6 in the Original Language
broken reed (קָנֶ֥ה סוּגָ֖ה, 'kaneh sugan') — a reed that has split or broken, unable to bear weight; a vivid symbol of unreliability.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 36:6
What does Isaiah 36:6 mean?
Rabshakeh mocks Hezekiah's reliance on Egypt as a broken reed that will cut and wound rather than support.
What is the context of Isaiah 36:6?
Rabshakeh compares Hezekiah's trust in Egypt to leaning on a broken reed that wounds rather than supports.