Isaiah 36:6

Loe, thou trustest in the staffe of this broken reede, on Egypt; whereon if a man leane, it will goe into his hand and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him. Isaiah 36:6 (KJV)

Isaiah 36 records the Assyrian king Sennacherib’s invasion of Judah and the threatening messages delivered by his officials. The chapter forms part of a historical narrative that describes how the Assyrians attempted to intimidate the people of Judah, seeking to weaken their resolve and force them into submission.

In this verse the image of a broken reed is used to symbolize Egypt as a fragile and unreliable support. A reed that is broken cannot bear weight; if a man leans on it, the reed will snap and pierce his hand. The metaphor therefore illustrates the futility of placing confidence in Egypt, a foreign power that cannot provide lasting protection. Judah had at times turned to Egypt for military assistance, but Isaiah warns that such reliance will lead to disappointment and harm, just as leaning on a broken reed results in injury.

The historical application is clear: the people of Judah were tempted to seek Egyptian aid against the Assyrian threat. Isaiah’s message, however, urges them to reject that temptation and to trust instead in the Lord’s faithfulness and power. He reminds them that God alone is the true source of security, and that reliance on human powers—whether Egypt or any other nation—will prove ineffective and painful.

Thus the verse serves both as a warning against misplaced trust in political alliances and as an invitation to place one’s confidence wholly in God. The broken‑reed metaphor reinforces the principle that true safety comes from divine reliance, not from the fleeting strength of earthly powers.