2 Kings 18:20

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

You say—but they are only empty words—'I have counsel and strength for war.' Now, in whom do you trust that you have rebelled against me?

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

אָמַ֙רְתָּ֙ אַךְ־דְּבַר־שְׂפָתַ֔יִם עֵצָ֥ה וּגְבוּרָ֖ה לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה עַתָּה֙ עַל־מִ֣י בָטַ֔חְתָּ כִּ֥י מָרַ֖דְתָּ בִּֽי׃

Transliteration

ʾāmartā only-dəbar-śəpātayim ʿēṣāh and-gəbûrāh for-the-milḥāmāh ʿattāh on-who bāṭaḥtā that mārādtā in-me.

Grammar Details

• *ʾāmartā*: qal perfect, 2nd masculine singular - you said
• *dəbar*: noun, masculine singular construct - word of
• *śəpātayim*: noun, feminine dual - lips
• *ʿēṣāh*: noun, feminine singular - counsel/advice
• *gəbûrāh*: noun, feminine singular - strength/might
• *milḥāmāh*: noun, feminine singular - war/battle
• *ʿattāh*: adverb - now
• *bāṭaḥtā*: qal perfect, 2nd masculine singular - you trusted
• *mārādtā*: qal perfect, 2nd masculine singular - you rebelled

Word Meanings

• *dəbar*-*śəpātayim*: empty talk/mere words
• *ʿēṣāh*: counsel/advice/strategy
• *gəbûrāh*: strength/might/power
• *milḥāmāh*: war/battle/combat

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  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?

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  You say (but they are only vain words) I have counsel and strength for war. Now in whom do you trust, that you rebel against me?

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  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?

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  Thou sayest{H559} (but they are but vain{H8193} words),{H1697} [There is] counsel{H6098} and strength{H1369} for the war.{H4421} Now on whom dost thou trust,{H982} that thou hast rebelled{H4775} against me?

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  Thou sayest{H559}{(H8804)},(but they are but vain{H8193} words{H1697},) I have counsel{H6098} and strength{H1369} for the war{H4421}. Now on whom dost thou trust{H982}{(H8804)}, that thou rebellest{H4775}{(H8804)} against me?

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  Thinkest thou, yt thou hast yet councell and power to fighte? Where vnto trustest thou then, that thou art fallen of fro me?

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Thou thinkest, Surely I haue eloquence, but counsell and strength are for the warre. On whom then doest thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Thou thinkest surely I haue eloquece, but counsell and strength are for the warre: On whom then doest thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  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?

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  You say (but they are but vain words), [There is] counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom do you trust, that you have rebelled against me?

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  Thou hast said: Only a word of the lips! counsel and might `are' for battle; now, on whom hast thou trusted that thou hast rebelled against me?

• American Standard Version (1901)

  Thou sayest (but they are but vain words), `There is' counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou hast rebelled against me?

• American Standard Version (1901)

  Thou sayest (but they are but vain words), [There is] counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou hast rebelled against me?

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  You say you have a design, and strength for war, but these are only words. Now to whom are you looking for support, that you have gone against my authority?

• World English Bible (2000)

  You say (but they are but vain words), 'There is counsel and strength for war.' Now on whom do you trust, that you have rebelled against me?

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  Your claim to have a strategy and military strength is just empty talk. In whom are you trusting that you would dare to rebel against me?

Referenced Verses

• Prov 21:30-31 : 30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel that can stand against the LORD. 31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD.