Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 18:20
Thou sayest, (but [they are but] vain words,) [I have] counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
20. Thou sayest, ( but they are but vain words)] Some have taken the words in the parenthesis as the object of the verb, so that the sense would be ‘Thou speakest only vain words (when thou talkest about) counsel and strength’. But it is better to leave them as a parenthesis, because of the succeeding question Thou speakest of counsel and strength, whence are they to come? The literal meaning of the expression rendered ‘vain words’, i.e. a word of the lips, which is nothing but so much breath, is very forcible and is preserved on the margin both of A.V. and R.V. Instead of the italics ‘ I have ’ R.V. inserts There is.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Hezekiah no doubt believed that in the counsel of Eliakim and Isaiah, and in the strength promised him by Egypt, he had resources which justified him in provoking a war.
Vain words – literally, as in margin, i. e., a mere word, to which the facts do not correspond.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Thou sayest; either to thy people, to encourage them; or rather, within thyself.
But they are but vain words, or, surely, or, only words of the lips, i.e. vain, unprofitable, idle talk, without any effect; or they come not from thy heart; thou speakest this against thy own knowledge.
Counsel and strength for the war; counsel to contrive, strength or courage to execute; which two things are of greatest necessity and use for war. But the words are and may be rendered otherwise; either this, thou speakest surely words of the lips, i.e. thou encouragest thyself and thy people with talk and words; but counsel and strength are for war, are necessary for thy defence; neither of which thou hast within thyself, but must seek them from others; and where wilt thou find them?
on whom (as it follows)
dost thou trust? Or thus, Thou sayest, I have the word of my lips, (either,
1. Words wherewith to pray to God for help; or,
2. Eloquence to encourage my soldiers and people,) counsel and strength for war; i.e. I am furnished with all things necessary for my defence. On whom dost thou trust? seeing it is apparent thou hast not strength of thy own, from whom dost thou expect succours?
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
[See comments on 2Ki 18:17]
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(20) Thou sayest (but they are but vain Words).Literally, thou hast saida mere lip-word it wasi.e., insincere language, an utterance which thou knewest to be false. (Comp. our expression, lip-service.)
I have counsel . . .The margin is wrong.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
20. But they are but vain words Rather, only a word of the lips; that is, an idle, inconsiderate saying. Compare Job 2:2; Pro 14:23.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Ki 18:20 Thou sayest, (but [they are but] vain words,) [I have] counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
Ver. 20. Thou sayest (but they are but vain words).] Heb., Words of the lips, i.e., frothy and fruitless, forasmuch as thou hast neither counsel nor strength for the war, but dost only word it, as Philip afterwards said the Athenians did. Some read the text not in a parenthesis, and thus paraphrase it: What can Hezekiah say to embolden him? What? I say, saith Hezekiah, I have words of my lips, that is, Prayer, prayer! Saith Rabshakeh: These are empty words, an airy nothing: for counsel and strength are for the war; but of these Hezekiah makes no reckoning, as thinking to do all by prayer, which I hold no better than prittle prattle.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
vain words. Hebrew word of lips = lip-words.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
sayest: or, talkest
vain words: Heb. word of the lips, I have counsel and strength for the war. or, but counsel and strength are for the war. Pro 21:30, Pro 21:31
rebellest: 2Ki 18:14
Reciprocal: Exo 5:9 – vain words 2Ki 18:7 – rebelled 2Ch 32:1 – king of Assyria 2Ch 32:3 – took counsel Ezr 4:12 – rebellious Isa 33:8 – he regardeth Luk 14:31 – General Eph 5:6 – vain
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
THE ONLY SURE HOPE
On whom dost thou trust?
2Ki 18:20
The Christian conflict as keen as great Assyria and little Juda. Worldly materialism: infidel thought against the besieged servants of Christ. Arrogant words of Rabshakeh craftily to catch the timid and irresolute. Easy terms: distorted facts. Some Rabshakeh asks the Christian, Whom do you trust?
I. Is it self?He says, You havent counsel or strength. Quite true, my resources poor: I am like the city in grip of armies: alone, I must give way.
II. Is it friends?He says, Your friends will fail you. As Egypt or the countries powerless against the Assyrians, your friends useless. True! My friendsties with the pure, the respect worthy, or noble, are not my reliance.
III. Is it your religion? says the Rabshakeh, with shafts loosing confidence in God. He is displeased with you. Your worship is faulty. You are divided amongst yourselves. We are confessing our wrong. Our Lord is loving us still. His promises sure to the humble.
IV. On whom do you trust?Only in our Saviour God.
Rev. F. S. Legg.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
18:20 Thou sayest, (but [they are but] vain words,) [I have] {f} counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
(f) You think that words will serve to persuade your people, or to move my master.