THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET
ISAIAH

Isaiah 10

1God's judgments for injustice and oppression. 5The Assyrian, the instrument of God's vengeance, for his pride shall be broken. 20The remnant of Israel shall return after the determined desolation. 24Judah is comforted with a promise of deliverance from Assyria. 28The approach of the Assyrian to Jerusalem, and his destruction.


1WOE unto 1them that 2decree unrighteous decrees, and 3that write 4grievousness which they have prescribed;

1 That is, the unrighteous judges and lawgivers.

2 Or, ordain, prescribe.

3 Those, who make and prescribe laws, are the rulers and governors of the land, against whom a woe is here announced.

4 Or, labor, that is, such laws and ordinances which cause trouble and grief unto the subjects.

25To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, 6that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!

5 That is, in order that they hinder the poor people, that their cause (though ever so just) be not heard, or admitted, or dispatched in judgment.

6 Clean contrary to the law of God, Exod. 22:22.

3And what will ye do 7in the day of visitation, and 8in the desolation which shall come 9from far? 10to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave 11your glory?

7 That is, when I come to visit you in My wrath. Here the Lord speaks unto the unrighteous legislators and rulers.

8 Namely, of the desolation of your land. See 2 Kings 18:13.

9 Namely, from the king of Assyria. See Isa. 9:11, 12.

10 As if He would say: There shall be no men in the world who shall be able to help you.

11 That is, your riches, your ranks and offices, which make you to be great and honorable in the sight of the world; where will you bring them that they may continue still to be yours, and be never taken away from you?

412Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

12 Other, That every one should not bow down, etc., being bereaved of My help. Here the Lord still speaks to all unrighteous judges. Other, Excepting him, or besides him who shall bow down himself lower than the prisoner, there shall also fall among the slain; that is, they shall not only be carried away captive, but besides that, some shall also be slain and killed.

5¶Oa13Assyrian, the 14rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is 15mine indignation.16

a Isa. 36:1; Jer. 25:9; Ezek. 21:9.

13 Hebr. Asshur. Which word signifies sometimes the posterity of Asshur; sometimes the land of Asshur. Here it signifies the king of Assyria with his army.

14 That is, whom in My anger I will use as a rod to correct and chastise My people. See Job 9:34.

15 As if the Lord said: Though in Mine anger I give the Assyrians leave to punish and smite My people, yet, notwithstanding, I will also punish them.

16 Other, O Asshur, the rod of mine anger, and in whose hand mine indignation is a staff.

6I will send 17him 18against an hypocritical nation, and 19against the people of my wrath will 20I give him a charge, to take 21the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread 22them down likeb the mire of the streets.

17 Namely, the king of Assyria with his army.

18 Namely, against the ten tribes of Israel and against the people of Judah, who make a show as if they were My people and do in some measure practice the outward worship of God, but are in action and in truth mere hypocrites and scorners. See the annotation at Job 8 on verse 13.

19 That is, against the people with whom I am exceeding angry and wroth; or, against the people upon whom I will pour out My fury and indignation.

20 That is, I will (in My just judgment) so guide and direct him by a secret inward motion. See the annotation at 2 Sam. 16 on verse 10.

21 Or, may prey a prey, and spoil a spoil.

22 Namely, the hypocritical people.

b Isa. 5:25.

7Howbeit he meaneth not 23so, neither doth his heart think so; 24but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.

23 Hebr. doth not imagine so, namely, that I do send him to punish an hypocritical people. He has a far other aim in this war, which he makes against the Jews than I have, but I will order and dispose all according to Mine holy will and secret counsel.

24 Hebr. but destroying is in his heart.

8For he saith, 25Are not my princes altogether kings?

25 As if he said: Am I not that great and mighty potentate, unto whom even kings must be subject and be constrained to wait upon? So that I am a king of kings. See similar boasting 2 Kings 18:24, 33, etc.; 19:10, etc.

926Is not 27Calno as 28Carchemish? is not 29Hamath as 30Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus?

26 As if he said: Have not I and my father Shalmaneser, and other of my predecessors subdued and brought under our power and dominion all these mighty cities, both the one and the other? See 2 Kings 18:34.

27 Other, Calneh, Gen. 10:10; Amos 6:2. Some perceive that this is Seleucia.

28 A city situated at or by the river Euphrates, 2 Chron. 35:20; Jer. 46:2.

29 See Gen. 10:18.

30 See 2 Kings 18:34.

10As my hand hath 31found the kingdoms 32of the idols, 33and whose graven images 34did 35excel 36them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;

31 That is, subdued, conquered, taken, as Job 31. See there the annotation at Job 31 on verse 25.

32 That is, of those who worship idols. See of the Hebrew word elilim Lev. 19 on verse 4.

33 Or, and yet, or, whereas seeing.

34 Or, were better than.

35 That is, more excellent.

36 Namely, idols. See verse 11.

11Shall I 37not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and 38her idols?

37 As if he said: Yea, I shall be able to do it much better and easier to Jerusalem.

38 See 1 Sam. 31 on verse 9. The king of Assyria speak here like a pagan, as if the case were all one in the matter of worship performed at Jerusalem, as in the matter of pagan idolatry, or pagan idols.

1239Wherefore it shall come to pass, that 40when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, 41I will 42punish 43the fruit of the stoutc heart 44of the king of Assyria, and the glory 45of his high looks.

39 This suits with the woe announced in verse 5 against the Assyrians; for, from verse 6 to this place the prophet relates the proud and lofty words of the king of Assyria, and his invasion into the land of the Israelites.

40 That is, when the Lord shall have sufficiently corrected His people by the Assyrians.

41 The Lord.

42 That is, visit. See the annotation at Gen. 21 on verse 1.

43 That is, his blasphemous and presumptuous boasting and bragging, which, as an evil fruit, sprang forth out of his proud and haughty mind.

c hard, bold*

44 Namely, of Sennacherib.

45 That is, of his proud and haughty looks.

1346For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; 47for I am prudent: and 48I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed 49their treasures, and I 50have put down 51the inhabitants like a valiant man:

46 Or, For he shall have said.

47 Or, because I have used prudence.

48 As if he said: The kingdoms, which heretofore had everyone their distinct borders and limits, I fused them together, and made them subject unto me.

49 Or, their ready treasurers, that is, their precious treasurers.

50 That is, I have deposed kings and other great lords from their places and dignities, and have brought them down.

51 Or, the possessors.

14And my hand hath found 52as a nest 53the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have 54I gathered all the earth; and there was none 55that moved the wing, or opened 56the mouth, or 57peeped.

52 That is, as birds sitting upon eggs in their nest.

53 Or, the strength, that is, the riches.

54 As if he said: I have brought all their goods and riches into my coffers and treasuries.

55 Namely, to flee away, or to oppose me. As if he said: They were so afraid of me that they dared not stir, or move themselves against me.

56 Or, the bill.

57 Or, muttered, chattered, whispered, namely, to go anywhere to seek for help, or to make complaint to anyone about me.

1558Shall 59the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall 60the saw 61magnify itself against him 62that shaketh it? as if the rod should 63shake itself against them that lift it up, or 64as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.

58 Thus far are described the words of the king of Assyria; now the prophet speaks again, and it is as much as if he had said: Is it meet that an axe would boast itself against, etc.? He wants to say: In no wise. Understand herewith: thus neither the king of Assyria has cause to boast against the Lord, Who has used him as an axe, saw, etc.

59 Thus the Assyrians are called, because God uses them as instruments to chastise and correct the Jews. Likewise the Lord here upbraids the Assyrian with his presumption, and with his proud and lofty language, mentioned in verses 13 and 14.

60 See the 59th annotation.

61 Or, lift itself up. Hebr. magnify itself.

62 Or, that moveth it?

63 Understand herewith: It would be so absurd if such a thing would happen.

64 As if God said: Would a stick or a staff boast itself, because somebody lifts it up? Whereas it is and still continues but a piece of wood?

16Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among 65his 66fat ones 67leanness; and 68under 69his glory he shalld kindle a 70burning like the burning of a fire.

65 Namely, of the king of Assyria.

66 Understand here by fat ones the princes and the most important commanders of the king of Assyria, of whom he bragged so much.

67 That is, a wasting or consuming sickness. See the annotation at Psalm 106 on verse 15. Or he wants to say, that the Lord shall destroy them and bring them to nothing. See 2 Kings 19:35.

68 Other, in stead of his glory he shall, etc.

69 Thus is here called the army of the king of Assyria, because he boasted of it exceedingly.

d Isa. 24:6.

70 Namely, when they shall be smitten by an angel with the pestilence. Compare herewith the history in 2 Sam. 24:16.

17And 71the light of Israel 72shall be for a fire, and 73his 74Holy One 75for a flame: and it shall burn and devour 76his 77thorns and 78his 79briers 80in one day;

71 That is, the Lord, Who enlightens His people by His Word and Spirit, when they are fallen into dark miseries, and likewise into spiritual errors. See Psalm 36 on verse 9; 84:11.

72 That is, the Lord shall devour and consume the Assyrians, as the fire and flame devour wood or straw.

73 Namely, the Holy One of the people of Israel.

74 That is, God, Whom the people of Israel hallows and honors, and Who testifies Himself to be holy. See Isa. 1 on verse 4.

75 Namely, to burn and to destroy the Assyrians.

76 Namely, of the king of Assyria.

77 That is, his soldiers, both great and small, lord and servant, who have pricked, scratched and plagued the Jews. See Isa. 9:18; 37:36.

78 Namely, of the king of Assyria.

79 That is, his soldiers, both great and small, lord and servant, who have pricked, scratched and plagued the Jews. See Isa. 9:18; 37:36.

80 That is, in a short time. Under day is here also meant the night, for, that which is here threatened came to pass or was performed in the night, 2 Kings 19:35; Isa. 37:36.

18And 81shall consume the glory of 82his 83forest, and 84of his fruitful field, 85both soul and body: and 86they 87shall be as when a standardbearer 88fainteth.

81 Or, Also he, namely, the Lord, shall consume, etc.

82 Namely, of Sennacherib, the king of Assyria.

83 That is, of the camp, which seems to be a dry and a withered forest by reason of the multitude of spears and lances of his soldiers. Others understand here by the forest the princes and nobles of the king of Assyria, who were esteemed as strong trees.

84 That is, of his fat, rich and mighty princes. Other, of his Carmel, that is, of his land, which is as fair and fruitful as Carmel. See 2 Kings 19:23.

85 That is, he shall not only take away their soul, that is, their life, but he shall also destroy their bodies. Or, understand here by soul, men, by body, cattle.

86 Or, he, namely, the king of Assyria.

87 That is, it shall go with him.

88 Or, swooneth, despaireth, or fainteth, that is, when his heart melts in his body through anguish and fear. See the fulfillment hereof 2 Kings 19:36, etc. Other, when a fleeing person melteth.

19And 89the rest of the trees of his forest shall be 90few, 91that a child may write them.

89 That is, the residue of the soldiers of his army, as verse 18, especially the commanders who shall escape from Sennacherib’s army. See verse 33.

90 See the annotation Gen. 34 on verse 30.

91 As if he said: There shall be no need of an able man, who is a good accountant, to number them; a very child will be able to do it easily; for they shall be so few in number.

2092And it shall come to pass in that day, that 93the remnant of Israel, and 94such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall 95no more again stay 96upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, 97the Holy One of Israel, 98in truth.

92 In this verse the prophet shows unto the remnant the fruit and benefit which did arise from the abovementioned chastening of the people of Judah by Sennacherib, as also the fruit and benefit of their deliverance from his power and violence.

93 Namely, those who shall not be slain by the Assyrians.

94 Hebr. the escaping of the house of Jacob.

95 That is, shall henceforth no more rely upon, etc.

96 Namely, upon the king of Assyria, forasmuch as he has deceived them. See 2 Kings 16:7; 2 Chron. 28:20; Isa. 7:20.

97 See verse 17; Isa. 1:4; 5:19, 24, etc.

98 Or, uprightly. Hebr. in truth, that is, without hypocrisy.

2199The remnant 100shall return, even 101the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.

99 That is, those who are left, or, the remaining shall return. Hebr. schear jaschub, alluding to the name which the prophet gave to his son at God’s command, Isa. 7:3, see the annotation at Isa. 7 on verse 3. And understand hereby those, who were left or remained, the elect of God among the Jews, whom God had delivered or redeemed from the common ruin and destruction, and who relied upon God by a true and lively faith, and continued steadfast and constant.

100 Or, be converted, namely to the mighty God.

101 As later in verse 22.

22102For thoughe thy people Israel be 103as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant 104of them shall return: 105the 106consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.

102 As if he said: Though the people of Israel are many, yet they shall not all be converted, but only some, whom God has chosen in Christ. See Rom. 9:27. Even as it fell out at that time, when the Assyrians fell upon the Israelites and smote them, the greatest part by far were taken captive and slain.

e Rom. 9:27, 28.

103 Namely, in large numbers.

104 Or, thereof.

105 Or, the precise consumption, and also verse 23; that is, the destruction appointed and determined in the secret counsel of God, in which He has decreed how many of the Israelites would be destroyed, and who.

106 Namely, of the disobedient Jews, as well outward and temporal, as inward and spiritual; as may be gathered from the meaning of the apostle Paul’s words Rom. 9:27, 28, where the apostle alleges these words of the prophet.

23For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption,f even determined, in the midst of all the land.

f Isa. 28:22.

24¶Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, 107and shall lift up his staff against thee, 108after the manner of Egypt.

107 Other, for he (namely, God) shall lift up his staff for thee (that is, for thy protection).

108 If in the previous phrase is meant the king of Assyria, than this is the meaning: As the Egyptians did in former time; but if it is meant God, than this is the meaning: As God heretofore plagued the Egyptians. Also likewise verse 26.

25109For yet a 110very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in 111their 112destruction.

109 Other, But yet a little while, then shall the indignation upon thee have an end, but my wrath shall kindle for their destruction.

110 That is, in a very short time, namely, quickly after the king of Assyria shall come with his army into the land of the Jews.

111 Namely, of the Assyrians.

112 Or, consumption, cutting off or ruin.

26And the LORD of hosts shall stir up 113a scourge 114for him 115according to the slaughter of Midian at 116the rock of Oreb: and 117as hisg rod was upon the sea, so shall he lift it up 118after the manner of Egypt.

113 Namely, first of all the destroying angel; and presently after the king of Assyrian’s own sons. See 2 Kings 19:35, 37.

114 Namely, against the king of Assyria.

115 That is, as the Midianites were in former times suddenly raided by Gideon, Judges 7:19, etc.; Isa. 9:4, 5.

116 Situated near Beth-barah, by the river Jordan; which is called the rock of Oreb, because Oreb, one of the princes of the Midianites, was smitten there by Gideon. See Judges 7:24, 25.

117 The sense is: As Pharaoh and his host perished in the Red sea, when Moses did lift up his rod or staff, so shall the Assyrians likewise fall into destruction and perish.

g Exodus 14.

118 See the annotation on verse 24.

27And it shall come to pass in that day, that 119his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be 120destroyed 121because of the anointing.

119 Namely, the burden which the king of Assyria has laid upon you.

120 Or, be cut or torn in pieces, that is, be confounded, or brought to nought.

121 Hebr. for or because of the anointing, namely, wherewith the Lord’s Anointed would be anointed, that is, for Christ’s sake, Whom God has anointed and made King over His people, Compare Isa. 9:4, 6.

28122He is come to 123Aiath, he is passed to 124Migron; at 125Michmash he hath 126laid up his carriages:h

122 Namely, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, with his army. Here the prophet describes further the expedition of Sennacherib, when he would march to besiege Jerusalem; as also which cities he would take and plunder in the way.

123 Or, Ai; see of this city Joshua 7 on verse 2; Joshua 8.

124 See 1 Sam. 14:2.

125 See 1 Sam. 13:2; 14:5.

126 Hebr. Michmash he committeth his vessels, or baggage. Other, at Michmash he mustered his furniture, namely, his train of artillery.

h baggage, goods, burdens

29They are gone over 127the passage: they have taken up their lodging at 128Geba; 129Ramah is afraid; 130Gibeah of Saul is fled.

127 That is, the narrow passages of the mountains at Michmash, through which they were to pass when they traveled from Ephraim to the tribe of Benjamin. See 1 Sam. 13:23. Other, they lodged in the resting-place or in the inn at Geba.

128 Of Geba see 1 Sam. 14:5.

129 That is, the citizens of Ramah tremble, namely, on account of the coming of the Assyrians. See of Ramah Joshua 18:25.

130 That is, the citizens of Gibeah of Saul. Of this city is also spoken in 1 Sam. 11:4. It was so called because king Saul was born there. See 1 Sam. 10:26.

30131Lift up thy voice, 132O daughter of Gallim: 133cause it to be heard unto 134Laish, O poor 135Anathoth.

131 Hebr. properly: neigh, as horses are wont to do, that is, lift up thy voice and cry aloud.

132 Jerusalem was the metropolis or mother city, the small cities were called daughters. Here mention is made of the inhabitants of Gallim, a city that was situated in the tribe of Benjamin, as did also the cities, whereof mention is made in verse 31.

133 Other, O thou poor Anathoth, cause thyself to be heard unto Laish. Or, thus: Consider O Laish.

134 A city located in the uttermost part of the land of the Jews. See Judges 18:14, 27, 28.

135 A city situated in Benjamin, where the prophet Jeremiah was born, three miles from Jerusalem. See Joshua 21:8; Jer. 1:1.

31136Madmenah 137is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves 138to flee.

136 That is, the citizens of Madmenah.

137 Namely, for fear of the enemies who come marching.

138 Or, gather themselves to flee in heaps. See Jer. 4 on verse 6.

32As yet shall 139he 140remain at 141Nob that day: 142he shall 143shake his hand 144against the mount 145of the daughter of Zion, 146the hill of Jerusalem.

139 Namely. Sennacherib with his army.

140 Hebr. standing at Nob, namely, before he comes against Jerusalem.

141 A city belonging to the priests in Benjamin, close to Jerusalem, 1 Samuel 21; 22.

142 By sending Rabshakeh in advance with a great army, from Lachish toward Jerusalem, who defied Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Isa. 36:2.

143 Other, lift up, as in a threatening way.

144 That is, against the city of Jerusalem, which was situated upon or at mount Zion, as Isa. 1:8.

145 Other, of the house of Zion.

146 Namely, upon which Jerusalem was built.

33Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall 147lop 148the bough 149with terror: and 150the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, 151and the haughty shall be humbled.

147 The Hebrew word signifies as much as to break off the boughs. Other, hack off. Compare verse 19.

148 That is, the strong and mighty soldiers, or men of war in the army of the king of Assyria.

149 Or, violently. The sense is: He shall destroy his army, not leisurely or by degrees, by little and little, but suddenly, speedily and with great force or might, as men do cut down the great boughs of trees with violence and great force; and this He shall do, namely, by an angel. See 2 Kings 19:35.

150 That is, the princes and commanders in the army of the king of Assyria.

151 Other, that is.

34And 152he shall cut down 153the thickets of the forest 154with iron, and 155Lebanon shall fall 156by a mighty one.

152 Namely, the Lord.

153 As Isa. 9:18.

154 That is, with the sword of the angel.

155 That is, the soldiers or men of war of king Sennacherib, who are to be compared to the trees which grew in Lebanon, both for size and for number.

156 Understand here by the mighty one, God the Lord Himself, or His destroying angel. See the history Isa. 37:36. Or, by the glorious one, or powerful one. See Psalm 8 on verse 1.