They¹ are in meaning the same, although the one contains some additional words, which the other has not; the words may be compared with instruments, their meanings with the workmen.² I shall now explain six³ passages.

footnotes: ¹ The next four chapters (xxxvi.-xxxix.), and 2 Kings 18:13—xx. 19.—The words ואם יש מלות, although they are not separated from the preceding by any sign, are the beginning of the new chapter. ² I. E. means by this simile, that we need not care so much for the words if we only know their sense, which is the principal thing. But the comparison is not striking; it can hardly be said that the meaning uses the words or letters in the same way as the workman makes use of his instruments. כפועלם like the work done with them, is perhaps the correct reading, instead of כפועלים like the workmen. Another simile, frequently used by I. E. for this same idea, is: The words are like the body, their sense like the soul. ³ שיש that there are, in the Hebrew text, gives no sense; it is a corruption of שש six.

1. In the book of Kings (18:20) Thou sayest (but they are but vain words) I have counsel and strength for war; that is, thou hast said to thy people, that thou hast wisdom and strength for war, but this was only a word of the lips,⁴ thy⁵ strength consisted only in words. In the book of Isaiah (36:5) it is said, I say but vain words are counsel and strength for war.⁶ These are the words of Rabshakeh; he says: I believe, that thy counsel and strength for war consist only in words.

footnotes: ⁴ Between וזה and הוא the sentence, which is paraphrased by the succeeding words, namely, אך דבר שפתים but in vain words, is omitted. ⁵ The Hebrew text has גבורתי my strength, as if Hezekiah said that the strength of Rabshakeh consisted only in words. This reading, which is not at all objectionable in itself, renders the preceding words וזה הוא entirely inexplicable. The translation suggests the reading גבורתך thy strength instead of גבורתי. ⁶ A. V., I say, sayest thou, (but they are but vain words), I have counsel and strength for war.