Behold: The Hebrew focusing particle here, which is often omitted in modern versions, serves to call special attention to the next part of the statement by the Assyrian official, who is, in effect, answering his own question. In those languages that have a particle fulfilling the same function, translators should use it here. In the Hebrew the adverb now follows immediately after the word Behold and stands in an emphatic position as in verse 20.

You are relying now on Egypt: The Assyrian military leader is convinced that Hezekiah is counting on the military might of Egypt to save him from Assyrian domination. Note that the theme of reliance or confidence continues here. See the comments on verses 5 and 19.

That broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it: A literal reed is a kind of tall grass or stalk that has a hollow stem. It is seen here as relatively weaker than a more solid piece of wood. In this passage it is used figuratively of something that is not dependable for support. For broken reed of a staff, New Century Version has “splintered walking stick.” In some languages it may be necessary to translate this figurative expression more generally as “weak stick” or something similar. The same Hebrew word for reed is used in 1 Kgs 14.15, where it is also used figuratively, but the image is quite different. The speaker uses the image of a broken reed to depict what he believes to be the weakness of the Egyptian forces. The army of Egypt is implicitly compared to an instrument that is not only useless in battle, but one that would actually bring harm to anyone who relied on it. He says it would pierce the hand of any man who leans on it; that is, it would bring harm to any person who depends on it.

Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who rely on him: This final sentence in the verse is a summary statement once again focusing on the theme of reliance or confidence and specifically referring to the king of Egypt. Since the word Pharaoh means the same thing as the expression king of Egypt, it would sound redundant to give the same meaning twice in succession. For the title Pharaoh, see the comments at 1 Kgs 3.1.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .