Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.

2 KINGS 18:23KJV
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2 Kings 18:23 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 18:23 mean?

In 2 Kings 18:23, an Assyrian official challenges Judah’s king, Hezekiah, to a wager. The official offers two thousand horses, but suggests that Hezekiah could not find enough men to ride them. The offer is an insult aimed at Judah’s ability to fight Assyria.

The speaker is addressing Hezekiah’s representatives outside Jerusalem. His words picture a force supplied with horses but unable to put riders on them. He speaks on behalf of the king of Assyria, whom he calls “my lord.”

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 18:23

  • “pledges” — עָרַב (ʿarav): This word can carry the sense of making a pledge or bargain. Here, “give pledges” is often understood as a challenge to make a wager, rather than a request for gifts.
  • “riders” — רָכַב (rakhav): This word means to ride. It draws attention to the men needed to make use of the offered horses, which is the point of the official’s challenge.

Why 2 Kings 18:23 matters

  • The offer is part of an attempt to weaken confidence, not simply a discussion of horse supplies. In the next verse, the official asks how Judah could turn back even one of the least of the Assyrian king’s officers.
  • The audience extends beyond the officials at the wall. When Hezekiah’s representatives ask the speaker to use another language, he refuses and speaks so the people on the wall can hear (2 Kings 18:26–28).

Where else these words appear

“pledges” Hebrew H6148 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 43:9 I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:
  • Proverbs 6:1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
  • Proverbs 24:21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

“riders” Hebrew H7392 · used in 75 verses

  • Genesis 24:61 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
  • 1 Kings 1:38 So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon.
  • Psalms 66:12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

“horses” Hebrew H5483 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 47:17 And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.
  • 2 Kings 14:20 And they brought him on horses: and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.
  • Jeremiah 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?

“Assyria” Hebrew H804 · used in 138 verses

  • Genesis 2:14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
  • 2 Kings 23:29 In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.
  • Isaiah 36:13 Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and said, Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria.