Isaiah 36:6
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.
Original Language Analysis
הַבֹּטְחִ֖ים
Lo thou trustest
H982
הַבֹּטְחִ֖ים
Lo thou trustest
Strong's:
H982
Word #:
2 of 23
properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מִשְׁעֶנֶת֩
in the staff
H4938
מִשְׁעֶנֶת֩
in the staff
Strong's:
H4938
Word #:
4 of 23
support (abstractly), i.e., (figuratively) sustenance or (concretely) a walking-stick
הַקָּנֶ֨ה
reed
H7070
הַקָּנֶ֨ה
reed
Strong's:
H7070
Word #:
5 of 23
a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard)
הָרָצ֤וּץ
of this broken
H7533
הָרָצ֤וּץ
of this broken
Strong's:
H7533
Word #:
6 of 23
to crack in pieces, literally or figuratively
הַזֶּה֙
H2088
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִסָּמֵ֥ךְ
lean
H5564
יִסָּמֵ֥ךְ
lean
Strong's:
H5564
Word #:
11 of 23
to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense)
אִישׁ֙
whereon if a man
H376
אִישׁ֙
whereon if a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
12 of 23
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
עָלָ֔יו
H5921
עָלָ֔יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בְכַפּ֖וֹ
into his hand
H3709
בְכַפּ֖וֹ
into his hand
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
15 of 23
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
וּנְקָבָ֑הּ
and pierce
H5344
וּנְקָבָ֑הּ
and pierce
Strong's:
H5344
Word #:
16 of 23
to puncture, literally (to perforate, with more or less violence) or figuratively (to specify, designate, libel)
כֵּ֚ן
H3651
כֵּ֚ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
17 of 23
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
פַּרְעֹ֣ה
it so is Pharaoh
H6547
פַּרְעֹ֣ה
it so is Pharaoh
Strong's:
H6547
Word #:
18 of 23
paroh, a general title of egyptian kings
לְכָֽל
H3605
לְכָֽל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
21 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Isaiah 31:3Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.2 Kings 18:21Now, 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.2 Kings 17:4And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison.
Historical Context
Egypt's 25th Dynasty (Kushite) had promised support to western kingdoms resisting Assyria but repeatedly failed to deliver effective military aid.
Questions for Reflection
- What "broken reeds" do we lean on instead of trusting God fully?
- How do worldly alliances often harm rather than help believers?
- What does it mean to find God alone as our sufficient support?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The metaphor of Egypt as a "broken reed" that pierces the hand of anyone leaning on it is vivid and accurate. Egypt had encouraged Judah's rebellion against Assyria but provided no meaningful military support. The imagery teaches that alliances with worldly powers not only fail to help but actively harm. This principle extends to spiritual life—trusting created things rather than the Creator brings injury. God alone is the trustworthy support that never breaks.