New International Version“’Come now, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses—if you can put riders on them!
New Living Translation“I’ll tell you what! Strike a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you 2,000 horses if you can find that many men to ride on them!
English Standard VersionCome now, make a wager with my master the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them.
Berean Standard BibleNow, therefore, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses—if you can put riders on them!
King James BibleNow 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.
New King James VersionNow therefore, I urge you, give a pledge to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses—if you are able on your part to put riders on them!
New American Standard BibleNow then, come make a wager with my master the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to put riders on them!
NASB 1995“Now therefore, come make a bargain with my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them.
NASB 1977“Now therefore, come make a bargain with my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them.
Legacy Standard BibleSo now, come make a bargain with my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to give riders for them.
Amplified BibleSo now, exchange pledges with my master the king of Assyria and I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to put riders on them.
Christian Standard Bible“Now make a deal with my master, the king of Assyria. I’ll give you two thousand horses if you’re able to supply riders for them!
Holman Christian Standard BibleNow make a deal with my master, the king of Assyria. I’ll give you 2,000 horses if you’re able to supply riders for them!
American Standard VersionNow therefore, I pray thee, give pledges 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.
Contemporary English VersionThe king of Assyria wants to make a bet with you people! He will give you 2,000 horses, if you have enough troops to ride them.
English Revised VersionNow therefore, I pray thee, give pledges 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.
GOD'S WORD® Translation"Now, make a deal with my master, the king of Assyria. I'll give you 2,000 horses if you can put riders on them.
Good News TranslationI will make a bargain with you in the name of the emperor. I will give you two thousand horses if you can find that many riders.
International Standard VersionCome now, all of you, make a bet with my master, the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you can furnish riders for them!
NET BibleNow make a deal with my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses, provided you can find enough riders for them.
New Heart English BibleNow therefore, please make a pledge to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them.
Webster's Bible TranslationNow therefore give pledges, I pray thee, to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou canst on thy part set riders upon them. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNow, therefore, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses—if you can put riders on them!
World English BibleNow therefore, please make a pledge to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd now, please negotiate with my lord the king of Asshur, and I give two thousand horses to you, if you are able to put riders on them for yourself.
Young's Literal Translation 'And now, negotiate, I pray thee, with my lord the king of Asshur, and I give to thee two thousand horses, if thou art able to put for thee riders on them.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd now, become surety now, to my lord the king of Assur, and I will give to thee two thousand horses if thou shalt be able to give to thee riders upon them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd now deliver thyself up to my lord the king of the Assyrians, and I will give thee two thousand horses, and thou wilt not be able on thy part to find riders for them.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd now, hand yourselves over to my lord, the king of the Assyrians, and I will give you two thousand horses, and you will not be able to find riders for them on your own.
New American Bible“Now, make a wager with my lord, the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able to put riders on them.
New Revised Standard VersionCome now, make a wager with my master the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNow therefore make an alliance with my lord, king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses, if you have riders to set upon them.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd now, make alliance with my Lord, the King of Assyria, and I shall give you two thousand horses, if you have horsemen there whom you will mount upon them! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Now therefore, I pray thee, make a wager with 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.
Brenton Septuagint Translationyet now make an agreement with my lord the king of the Assyrians, and I will give you two thousand horses, if ye shall be able to set riders upon them.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem… 7But if you say to me, ‘We trust in the LORD our God,’ is He not the One whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You must worship before this altar’? 8Now, therefore,make a bargainwithmy master,the kingof Assyria.I will giveyoutwo thousandhorses—ifyou canputriderson them!9For how can you repel a single officer among the least of my master’s servants when you depend on Egypt for chariots and horsemen?…
Cross References 2 Kings 18:23Now, therefore, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses—if you can put riders on them!
2 Chronicles 32:10-11“This is what Sennacherib king of Assyria says: What is the basis of your confidence, that you remain in Jerusalem under siege? / Is not Hezekiah misleading you to give you over to death by famine and thirst when he says, ‘The LORD our God will deliver us from the hand of the king of Assyria?’
Isaiah 37:10-13“Give this message to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you by saying that Jerusalem will not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. / Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Will you then be spared? / Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar? ...
2 Kings 19:10-13“Give this message to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you by saying that Jerusalem will not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. / Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Will you then be spared? / Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar? ...
Isaiah 30:1-5“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. / They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade. / But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace. ...
Isaiah 31:1-3Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD. / Yet He too is wise and brings disaster; He does not call back His words. He will rise up against the house of the wicked and against the allies of evildoers. / But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together.
Jeremiah 37:5-10Pharaoh’s army had left Egypt, and when the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard the report, they withdrew from Jerusalem. / Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet: / “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says that you are to tell the king of Judah, who sent you to Me: Behold, Pharaoh’s army, which has marched out to help you, will go back to its own land of Egypt. ...
Ezekiel 29:6-7Then all the people of Egypt will know that I am the LORD. For you were only a staff of reeds to the house of Israel. / When Israel took hold of you with their hands, you splintered, tearing all their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you broke, and their backs were wrenched.
Hosea 7:11So Ephraim has become like a silly, senseless dove—calling out to Egypt, then turning to Assyria.
Hosea 12:1Ephraim feeds on the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; he multiplies lies and violence; he makes a covenant with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt.
Matthew 23:37O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!
Luke 14:31-32Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? / And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace.
John 19:10-11So Pilate said to Him, “Do You refuse to speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You and authority to crucify You?” / Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”
Acts 4:25-28You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Your servant, our father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.’ / In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. ...
Romans 8:31What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Treasury of Scripture Now therefore give pledges, I pray you, to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give you two thousand horses, if you be able on your part to set riders on them. pledges. 2 Kings 14:14 And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria. and I Isaiah 10:13,14 For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have doneit, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiantman: … 1 Samuel 17:40-43 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his slingwas in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine… 1 Kings 20:10,18 And Benhadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me… Jump to Previous AbleAsshurAssyriaBargainChanceEngageHorsemenHorsesMasterPartPleasePledgePledgesRidersThousandWagerJump to Next AbleAsshurAssyriaBargainChanceEngageHorsemenHorsesMasterPartPleasePledgePledgesRidersThousandWagerIsaiah 36 1.Sennacherib invades Judah2.Rabshakeh, sent by Sennacherib, solicits the people to revolt22.His words are told to HezekiahNow, therefore, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria.This phrase is part of a speech by the Rabshakeh, a high-ranking Assyrian official, during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem under King Hezekiah. The Rabshakeh is attempting to intimidate and persuade the people of Judah to surrender. The "bargain" refers to a proposed agreement or submission to Assyrian rule. Historically, Assyria was a dominant empire known for its military prowess and harsh treatment of conquered peoples. The demand for a bargain highlights the political pressure Judah faced and the temptation to rely on human alliances rather than trusting in God. I will give you two thousand horses—
The offer of two thousand horses is a rhetorical device meant to mock Judah's military weakness. Horses were a symbol of military strength and power in ancient Near Eastern cultures. The Assyrians, known for their formidable cavalry, are taunting Judah by suggesting that even if they were given horses, they would still be unable to mount a significant defense. This reflects the broader biblical theme of reliance on God rather than military might, as seen in passages likePsalm 20:7, which contrasts trust in chariots and horses with trust in the name of the Lord. if you can put riders on them!
This phrase further emphasizes Judah's lack of military resources and trained personnel. The Rabshakeh's taunt implies that even with the gift of horses, Judah lacks the manpower and skill to utilize them effectively. This underscores the dire situation facing Jerusalem and serves as a challenge to their faith in God's deliverance. Theologically, it points to the futility of relying on human strength and the need for divine intervention, a recurring theme in the prophetic literature. The challenge also foreshadows the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem, as recorded later inIsaiah 37, where God intervenes to save the city without the need for military action. Persons / Places / Events 1. King HezekiahThe king of Judah during the time of the Assyrian threat. He is known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to reform Judah's religious practices. 2. RabshakehThe field commander of the Assyrian army, sent by King Sennacherib to deliver a message to King Hezekiah. He is known for his attempts to intimidate and demoralize the people of Judah. 3. King SennacheribThe king of Assyria, known for his military campaigns and conquests, including his siege of Jerusalem. 4. JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, under threat from the Assyrian army during this event. 5. AssyriaA powerful empire known for its military strength and conquests, posing a significant threat to the smaller kingdom of Judah. Teaching Points Trust in God Over Military MightThe offer of horses by the Assyrian commander highlights the temptation to rely on military strength rather than God. Believers are reminded to place their trust in God rather than worldly power. The Power of IntimidationRabshakeh's message was designed to intimidate and sow doubt. Christians should be aware of how fear and intimidation can be used by the enemy to weaken faith. Faith in the Face of Overwhelming OddsHezekiah's situation seemed hopeless from a human perspective. This teaches us that faith often requires trusting God even when circumstances appear dire. The Importance of Godly LeadershipHezekiah's leadership and faithfulness to God were crucial during this crisis. Leaders today are encouraged to seek God's guidance and lead with integrity. God's Sovereignty and DeliveranceDespite the threats, God ultimately delivered Jerusalem. This underscores God's sovereignty and His ability to save His people against all odds. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Isaiah 36:8?
2.How does Isaiah 36:8 challenge our reliance on worldly power over God?
3.What does "make a bargain with my master" reveal about human pride?
4.How can Isaiah 36:8 deepen our trust in God's provision and protection?
5.Compare Isaiah 36:8 with Proverbs 3:5-6 on trusting God over human strength.
6.How can we apply the lesson of Isaiah 36:8 in daily decision-making?
7.What is the historical context of Isaiah 36:8 in the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem?
8.How does Isaiah 36:8 challenge the faith of the Israelites in God's protection?
9.What archaeological evidence supports the events described in Isaiah 36:8?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 36?
11.Isaiah 36:18-20: How do we reconcile the Rabshakeh's claim that no god has saved any nation from Assyria with the biblical assertion that the Lord ultimately delivered Judah?
12.Isaiah 8:4: Does the swift judgment on Damascus and Samaria align with known Assyrian records or is it purely a biblical claim?
13.Isaiah 39:8: Why does Hezekiah seem untroubled by the future judgment pronounced on his descendants, and what does this imply about his character or leadership?
14.How did God interact with humanity in the Old Testament?What Does Isaiah 36:8 Mean Now, thereforeThe Assyrian field commander (Rabshakeh) has just finished dismantling every source of Judah’s confidence—Egypt’s help (Isaiah 36:6), their own military (Isaiah 36:5), and even their trust in the LORD (Isaiah 36:7). “Now, therefore” signals his closing argument: submit or be crushed. • Context points back to the taunts in2 Kings 18:19–21, where the same spokesman questions, “On what are you basing this confidence of yours?” • Threats often begin by undermining faith; compare Goliath’s mockery in1 Samuel 17:8–11. • YetPsalm 46:1–2 reminds God’s people that “God is our refuge and strength… therefore we will not fear.”
Make a bargain with my master, the king of AssyriaThe proposal sounds reasonable—after all, Assyria is the dominant empire. But it is really a demand for unconditional surrender, replacing trust in God with a treaty of humiliation. • Rabshakeh’s words echo later inIsaiah 36:16–17, where he promises land and prosperity if Judah will “come out” to him. • Similar offers of compromise appear inExodus 8:25–28 (Pharaoh) andNehemiah 6:2–3 (Sanballat), always designed to pull God’s people off the path of obedience. •Deuteronomy 20:10 allows Israel to offer peace to distant cities—yet here the roles are reversed, an unbelieving power dictating terms to the covenant people.
I will give you two thousand horsesHe feigns generosity: “I’ll supply the cavalry you lack.” But the gift is a barb, exposing Judah’s military inadequacy. • Israel once desired horses and chariots like the nations (1 Samuel 8:5;Isaiah 2:7), though God warned against trusting them (Psalm 20:7). • The number “two thousand” looks impressive—yet Assyria’s army dwarfed it. Even if Judah accepted, they would still be hopelessly outnumbered (cf.2 Chronicles 32:9). • God had promised to break war-horses as a means of deliverance (Micah 5:10). The true King does not rely on imported strength.
If you can put riders on them!The taunt lands: “You don’t even have enough trained men to sit those horses.” The enemy delights in highlighting weakness. • Contrast Rabshakeh’s sneer with God’s assurance through Hezekiah: “With us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles” (2 Chronicles 32:8). • The LORD often reduces apparent strength so His power is unmistakable—seeJudges 7:2–7 andZechariah 4:6. • Ultimately, human inadequacy is no barrier to divine victory;Isaiah 37:36 records that one angel struck down 185,000 Assyrians after Judah looked to the LORD.
summaryIsaiah 36:8 captures a masterful psychological assault: the enemy undermines faith, offers a deceptive bargain, flaunts superior resources, and mocks weakness. Yet every barb points to the same truth—Judah’s safety never rested on horses, riders, or treaties; it rested on the living God. When His people refuse compromise and depend on Him alone, He proves more than sufficient against any empire. (8) Now, therefore, give pledges.--Better, make a wager.This would seem to be a taunt interpolated by the Rabshakeh in the midst of his official message. There was something absurd in the idea of Judah coming out as strong in its cavalry. Had they two thousand men who could manage their horses if they had them? Verse 8. - Now therefore give pledges; i.e. "bind yourselves under s-me penalty." Rabshakeh here interrupts his message' to introduce an offer of his own. Intent on ridiculing the absurdity of Hezekiah's resistance of Assyria, he promises to make him a present of two thousand horses, if he (Hezekiah) can find two thousand trained riders to mount them. It is quite likely that he was safe in making this promise, and that, notwithstanding the abundant use of chariots and horses by the Jews of the time for purposes of luxury ( Isaiah 2:7), they were destitute of a cavalry force and unaccustomed to the management of war-horses.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Now therefore,וְעַתָּה֙(wə·‘at·tāh)Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258:At this timemake a bargainהִתְעָ֣רֶב(hiṯ·‘ā·reḇ)Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6148:To braid, intermix, technically, to traffic, give to be securitywithאֶת־(’eṯ-)Preposition
Strong's 854:Nearness, near, with, by, at, amongmy master,אֲדֹנִ֖י(’ă·ḏō·nî)Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113:Sovereign, controllerthe kingהַמֶּ֣לֶךְ(ham·me·leḵ)Article | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428:A kingof Assyria.אַשּׁ֑וּר(’aš·šūr)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 804:AshshurI will giveוְאֶתְּנָ֤ה(wə·’et·tə·nāh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, setyouלְךָ֙(lə·ḵā)Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrewtwo thousandאַלְפַּ֣יִם(’al·pa·yim)Number - md
Strong's 505:A thousandhorses—סוּסִ֔ים(sū·sîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5483:A swallow, swift (type of bird)ifאִם־(’im-)Conjunction
Strong's 518:Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, notyou canתּוּכַ֕ל(tū·ḵal)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3201:To be able, have powerputלָ֥תֶת(lā·ṯeṯ)Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5414:To give, put, setridersרֹכְבִ֥ים(rō·ḵə·ḇîm)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7392:To ride, to place upon, to despatchon them!עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃(‘ă·lê·hem)Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, against
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OT Prophets: Isaiah 36:8 Now therefore please make a pledge (Isa Isi Is) |
