See in Reader
1.2 KiB
General Information:
This continues the king of Assyria's message to Hezekiah. The chief commander is speaking the message to Hezekiah's men (Isaiah 36:4-5).
Look
Sennacherib uses this word to draw Hezekiah's attention to what he says next. Alternate translation: "Listen"
trusting in Egypt
Here "Egypt" refers to the Egyptian army. Alternate translation: "trusting in the Egyptian army" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy)
that splintered reed that you use as a walking staff, but if a man leans on it, it will stick into his hand and pierce it
This speaks of Egypt, specifically its army and its Pharaoh, as if it were a splintered reed to emphasize that relying on them would not help them but would only harm them. Alternate translation: "that is like walking with a splintered reed for a staff. If a man leans on it, it will stick into his hand and pierce it" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)
splintered reed
A reed is the long, thin stem of a plant like tall grass. If it is splintered or damaged it cannot carry any weight.
walking staff
This is a stick that someone would use for support when walking, made of whatever kind of tree limb that is found along the way.