Isaiah 36:8
Now therefore give pledges, I pray thee, to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּה֙
H6258
הִתְעָ֣רֶב
Now therefore give pledges
H6148
הִתְעָ֣רֶב
Now therefore give pledges
Strong's:
H6148
Word #:
2 of 17
to braid, i.e., intermix; technically, to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be security (as a kind of exchange)
נָ֔א
H4994
נָ֔א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
3 of 17
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
4 of 17
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
אֲדֹנִ֖י
I pray thee to my master
H113
אֲדֹנִ֖י
I pray thee to my master
Strong's:
H113
Word #:
5 of 17
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
אַשּׁ֑וּר
of Assyria
H804
אַשּׁ֑וּר
of Assyria
Strong's:
H804
Word #:
7 of 17
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
לָ֥תֶת
and I will give
H5414
לָ֥תֶת
and I will give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 17
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אַלְפַּ֣יִם
thee two thousand
H505
אַלְפַּ֣יִם
thee two thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
10 of 17
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
12 of 17
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תּוּכַ֕ל
if thou be able
H3201
תּוּכַ֕ל
if thou be able
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
13 of 17
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
לָ֥תֶת
and I will give
H5414
לָ֥תֶת
and I will give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
14 of 17
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Historical Context
Horses and chariots represented military superiority in ancient warfare. Judah's mountainous terrain limited cavalry use, but the taunt still stung.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God often allow us to be in positions where our weakness is obvious?
- What comfort comes from knowing God's power is displayed through our inadequacy?
- How should we respond to mockery of our apparent weakness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Rabshakeh's mocking offer—"I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able to set riders upon them"—ridicules Judah's military weakness. This insult implies Judah lacks even basic cavalry forces. The offer is disingenuous psychological warfare meant to humiliate and demoralize. However, it inadvertently highlights a spiritual truth: God's strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). When His people are obviously inadequate, His power becomes undeniable.