2 Kings 18:24

Verse

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?

American Standard Version (1901)

How then canst 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?

Bible in Basic English

How then may you put to shame the least of my master's servants? and you have put your hope in Egypt for war-carriages and horsemen:

Douay-Rheims 1899

And how can you stand against one lord of the least of my master’s servants? Dost thou trust in Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?

Free Bible Version

How could you defeat even a single officer in charge of the weakest of my master's men when you're trusting in Egypt for chariots and horsemen?

Geneva Bible 1599

For how canst thou despise any captaine of the least of my masters seruants, and put thy trust on Egypt for charets and horsemen?

King James (Authorized) 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?

Translation for Translators

You are expecting the king of Egypt to send chariots and men riding horses to assist you. But they certainly would not [RHQ] be able to resist/defeat even the most insignificant/unimportant official in the army of Assyria!

Unlocked Literal Bible

How could you resist even one captain of the least of my master's servants? You have put your trust in Egypt for chariots and horsemen!

Noah Webster Bible

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?

World English Bible

How then can you turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master’s servants, and put your trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?

Young's Literal Translation

And how dost thou turn back the face of one captain of the least of the servants of my lord, that thou dost trust for thee on Egypt for chariot, and for horsemen?

Context

Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem

²³Now, therefore, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses—if you can put riders on them!²⁴For how can you repel a single officer among the least of my master’s servants when you depend on Egypt for chariots and horsemen?²⁵So now, was it apart from the LORD that I have come up against this place to destroy it? The LORD Himself said to me, ‘Go up against this land and destroy it.’”

Summary

In this verse, Rabshakeh, the Assyrian official, is taunting the people of Judah by questioning their trust in God and their king, Hezekiah. He tries to instill fear and doubt in them, suggesting that their reliance on Egypt for help will be futile. Rabshakeh's goal is to undermine their faith and confidence in God's deliverance, aiming to weaken their resolve and surrender to the Assyrian army. This verse serves as a reminder of the enemy's tactics to discourage and intimidate believers, urging us to stand firm in our trust in God despite external threats and challenges.

Commentary