1 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;
2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!
3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?
4 Without 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.
5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.
6 I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.
8 For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings?
9 Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus?
10 As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;
11 Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?
12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
13 For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man:
14 And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.
15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.
16 Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.
17 And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day;
18 And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standard-bearer fainteth.
19 And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them.
20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
21 The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.
22 For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.
23 For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land.
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, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt.
25 For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.
26 And the LORD of hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and as his rod was upon the sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt.
27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
28 He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages:
29 They are gone over the passage: they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramah is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled.
30 Lift up thy voice, O daughter of Gallim: cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor Anathoth.
31 Madmenah is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves to flee.
32 As yet shall he remain at Nob that day: he shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.
33 Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.
34 And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.
1 Woe H1945 unto them that decree H2710 unrighteous H205 decrees, H2711 and that write H3789 grievousness H5999 which they have prescribed; H3789
2 To turn aside H5186 the needy H1800 from judgment, H1779 and to take away H1497 the right H4941 from the poor H6041 of my people, H5971 that widows H490 may be their prey, H7998 and that they may rob H962 the fatherless! H3490
3 And what will ye do H6213 in the day H3117 of visitation, H6486 and in the desolation H7722 which shall come H935 from far? H4801 to whom will ye flee H5127 for help? H5833 and where will ye leave H5800 your glory? H3519
4 Without me they shall H1115 bow down H3766 under the prisoners, H616 and they shall fall H5307 under the slain. H2026 For all this his anger H639 is not turned away, H7725 but his hand H3027 is stretched out still. H5186
5 O H1945 Assyrian, H804 the rod H7626 of mine anger, H639 and the staff H4294 in their hand H3027 is mine indignation. H2195
6 I will send H7971 him against an hypocritical H2611 nation, H1471 and against the people H5971 of my wrath H5678 will I give him a charge, H6680 to take H7997 the spoil, H7998 and to take H962 the prey, H957 and to tread them down H7760 H4823 like the mire H2563 of the streets. H2351
7 Howbeit he meaneth H1819 not so, neither doth his heart H3824 think H2803 so; but it is in his heart H3824 to destroy H8045 and cut off H3772 nations H1471 not a few. H4592
8 For he saith, H559 Are not my princes H8269 altogether H3162 kings? H4428
9 Is not Calno H3641 as Carchemish? H3751 is not Hamath H2574 as Arpad? H774 is not Samaria H8111 as Damascus? H1834
10 As my hand H3027 hath found H4672 the kingdoms H4467 of the idols, H457 and whose graven images H6456 did excel them of Jerusalem H3389 and of Samaria; H8111
11 Shall I not, as I have done H6213 unto Samaria H8111 and her idols, H457 so do H6213 to Jerusalem H3389 and her idols? H6091
12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord H136 hath performed H1214 his whole work H4639 upon mount H2022 Zion H6726 and on Jerusalem, H3389 I will punish H6485 the fruit H6529 of the stout H1433 heart H3824 of the king H4428 of Assyria, H804 and the glory H8597 of his high H7312 looks. H5869
13 For he saith, H559 By the strength H3581 of my hand H3027 I have done H6213 it, and by my wisdom; H2451 for I am prudent: H995 and I have removed H5493 the bounds H1367 of the people, H5971 and have robbed H8154 their treasures, H6259 H6264 and I have put down H3381 the inhabitants H3427 like a valiant H47 H3524 man:
14 And my hand H3027 hath found H4672 as a nest H7064 the riches H2428 of the people: H5971 and as one gathereth H622 eggs H1000 that are left, H5800 have I gathered H622 all the earth; H776 and there was none that moved H5074 the wing, H3671 or opened H6475 the mouth, H6310 or peeped. H6850
15 Shall the axe H1631 boast H6286 itself against him that heweth H2672 therewith? or shall the saw H4883 magnify H1431 itself against him that shaketh H5130 it? as if the rod H7626 should shake H5130 itself against them that lift it up, H7311 or as if the staff H4294 should lift up H7311 itself, as if it were no wood. H6086
16 Therefore shall the Lord, H113 the Lord H136 H3068 of hosts, H6635 send H7971 among his fat ones H4924 leanness; H7332 and under his glory H3519 he shall kindle H3344 a burning H3350 like the burning of a fire. H784
17 And the light H216 of Israel H3478 shall be for a fire, H784 and his Holy One H6918 for a flame: H3852 and it shall burn H1197 and devour H398 his thorns H7898 and his briers H8068 in one H259 day; H3117
18 And shall consume H3615 the glory H3519 of his forest, H3293 and of his fruitful field, H3759 both soul H5315 and body: H1320 and they shall be as when a standardbearer H5263 fainteth. H4549
19 And the rest H7605 of the trees H6086 of his forest H3293 shall be few, H4557 that a child H5288 may write H3789 them.
20 And it shall come to pass in that day, H3117 that the remnant H7605 of Israel, H3478 and such as are escaped H6413 of the house H1004 of Jacob, H3290 shall no more again H3254 stay H8172 upon him that smote H5221 them; but shall stay H8172 upon the LORD, H3068 the Holy One H6918 of Israel, H3478 in truth. H571
21 The remnant H7605 shall return, H7725 even the remnant H7605 of Jacob, H3290 unto the mighty H1368 God. H410
22 For though thy people H5971 Israel H3478 be as the sand H2344 of the sea, H3220 yet a remnant H7605 of them shall return: H7725 the consumption H3631 decreed H2782 shall overflow H7857 with righteousness. H6666
23 For the Lord H136 GOD H3069 of hosts H6635 shall make H6213 a consumption, H3617 even determined, H2782 in the midst H7130 of all the land. H776
24 Therefore thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD H3069 of hosts, H6635 O my people H5971 that dwellest H3427 in Zion, H6726 be not afraid H3372 of the Assyrian: H804 he shall smite H5221 thee with a rod, H7626 and shall lift up H5375 his staff H4294 against thee, after the manner H1870 of Egypt. H4714
25 For yet a very H4213 little while, H4592 and the indignation H2195 shall cease, H3615 and mine anger H639 in their destruction. H8399
26 And the LORD H3068 of hosts H6635 shall stir up H5782 a scourge H7752 for him according to the slaughter H4347 of Midian H4080 at the rock H6697 of Oreb: H6159 and as his rod H4294 was upon the sea, H3220 so shall he lift it up H5375 after the manner H1870 of Egypt. H4714
27 And it shall come to pass in that day, H3117 that his burden H5448 shall be taken away H5493 from off thy shoulder, H7926 and his yoke H5923 from off thy neck, H6677 and the yoke H5923 shall be destroyed H2254 because H6440 of the anointing. H8081
28 He is come H935 to Aiath, H5857 he is passed H5674 to Migron; H4051 at Michmash H4363 he hath laid up H6485 his carriages: H3627
29 They are gone over H5674 the passage: H4569 they have taken up their lodging H4411 at Geba; H1387 Ramah H7414 is afraid; H2729 Gibeah H1390 of Saul H7586 is fled. H5127
30 Lift up H6670 thy voice, H6963 O daughter H1323 of H1530 Gallim: H1554 cause it to be heard H7181 unto Laish, H3919 O poor H6041 Anathoth. H6068
31 Madmenah H4088 is removed; H5074 the inhabitants H3427 of Gebim H1374 gather themselves to flee. H5756
32 As yet shall he remain H5975 at Nob H5011 that day: H3117 he shall shake H5130 his hand H3027 against the mount H2022 of the daughter H1323 H1004 of Zion, H6726 the hill H1389 of Jerusalem. H3389
33 Behold, the Lord, H113 the LORD H3068 of hosts, H6635 shall lop H5586 the bough H6288 with terror: H4637 and the high ones H7311 of stature H6967 shall be hewn down, H1438 and the haughty H1364 shall be humbled. H8213
34 And he shall cut down H5362 the thickets H5442 of the forest H3293 with iron, H1270 and Lebanon H3844 shall fall H5307 by a mighty one. H117
1 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and to the writers that write perverseness;
2 to turn aside the needy from justice, and to rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows may be their spoil, and that they may make the fatherless their prey!
3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?
4 They shall only bow down under the prisoners, and shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
5 Ho Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, the staff in whose hand is mine indignation!
6 I will send him against a profane nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few.
8 For he saith, Are not my princes all of them kings?
9 Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus?
10 As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;
11 shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?
12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that, when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
13 For he hath said, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I have understanding: and I have removed the bounds of the peoples, and have robbed their treasures, and like a valiant man I have brought down them that sit `on thrones':
14 and my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the peoples; and as one gathereth eggs that are forsaken, have I gathered all the earth: and there was none that moved the wing, or that opened the mouth, or chirped.
15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? shall the saw magnify itself against him that wieldeth it? as if a rod should wield them that lift it up, `or' as if a staff should lift up `him that is' not wood.
16 Therefore will the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory there shall be kindled a burning like the burning of fire.
17 And the light of Israel will be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame; and it will burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day.
18 And he will consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and it shall be as when a standard-bearer fainteth.
19 And the remnant of the trees of his forest shall be few, so that a child may write them.
20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and they that are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again lean upon him that smote them, but shall lean upon Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
21 A remnant shall return, `even' the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.
22 For though thy people, Israel, be as the sand of the sea, `only' a remnant of them shall return: a destruction `is' determined, overflowing with righteousness.
23 For a full end, and that determined, will the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, make in the midst of all the earth.
24 Therefore thus saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian, though he smite thee with the rod, and lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt.
25 For yet a very little while, and the indignation `against thee' shall be accomplished, and mine anger `shall be directed' to his destruction.
26 And Jehovah of hosts will stir up against him a scourge, as in the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and his rod will be over the sea, and he will lift it up after the manner of Egypt.
27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall depart from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed by reason of fatness.
28 He is come to Aiath, he is passed through Migron; at Michmash he layeth up his baggage;
29 they are gone over the pass; they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramah trembleth; Gibeah of Saul is fled.
30 Cry aloud with thy voice, O daughter of Gallim! hearken, O Laishah! O thou poor Anathoth!
31 Madmenah is a fugitive; the inhabitants of Gebim flee for safety.
32 This very day shall he halt at Nob: he shaketh his hand at the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.
33 Behold, the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, will lop the boughs with terror: and the high of stature shall be hewn down, and the lofty shall be brought low.
34 And he will cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.
1 Wo `to' those decreeing decrees of iniquity, And writers who have prescribed perverseness.
2 To turn aside from judgment the poor, And to take violently away the judgment Of the afflicted of My people, That widows may be their prey, That the fatherless they may spoil.
3 And what do ye at a day of inspection? And at desolation? -- from afar it cometh. Near whom do ye flee for help? And where do ye leave your honour?
4 Without Me it hath bowed down In the place of a bound one, And in the place of the slain they fall. With all this not turned back hath His anger, And still His hand is stretched out.
5 Wo `to' Asshur, a rod of Mine anger, And a staff in their hand `is' Mine indignation.
6 Against a profane nation I send him, And concerning a people of My wrath I charge him, To spoil spoil, and to seize prey, And to make it a treading-place as the clay of out places.
7 And he -- he thinketh not so, And his heart reckoneth not so, For -- to destroy `is' in his heart, And to cut off nations not a few.
8 For he saith, `Are not my princes altogether kings?
9 Is not Calno as Carchemish? Is not Hamath as Arpad? Is not Samaria as Damascus?
10 As my hand hath got to the kingdoms of a worthless thing, and their graven images, `Greater' than Jerusalem and than Samaria,
11 Do I not -- as I have done to Samaria, And to her worthless things, So do to Jerusalem and to her grievous things?
12 And it hath come to pass, When the Lord doth fulfil all His work In mount Zion and in Jerusalem, I see concerning the fruit of the greatness Of the heart of the king of Asshur. And concerning the glory of the height of his eyes.
13 For he hath said, `By the power of my hand I have wrought, And by my wisdom, for I have been intelligent, And I remove borders of the peoples, And their chief ones I have spoiled, And I put down as a mighty one the inhabitants,
14 And my hand as to a nest Getteth to the wealth of the peoples, And as a gathering of forsaken eggs All the earth I -- I have gathered, And there hath not been one moving wing, Or opening mouth, or whispering.'
15 -- Doth the axe glorify itself Against him who is hewing with it? Doth the saw magnify itself Against him who is shaking it? As a rod waving those lifting it up! As a staff lifting up that which is not wood!
16 Therefore doth the Lord, the Lord of Hosts, Send among his fat ones leanness, And under his honour He kindleth a burning As the burning of a fire.
17 And the light of Israel hath been for a fire, And his Holy One for a flame, And it hath burned, and devoured his thorn And his brier in one day.
18 And the honour of his forest, and his fruitful field, From soul even unto flesh He doth consume, And it hath been as the fainting of a standard-bearer.
19 And the rest of the trees of his forest `are' few, And a youth doth write them.
20 And it hath come to pass, in that day, The remnant of Israel, And the escaped of the house of Jacob, Do not add any more to lean on its smiter, And have leant on Jehovah, The Holy One of Israel, in truth.
21 A remnant returneth -- a remnant of Jacob, Unto the Mighty God.
22 For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, A remnant doth return of it, A consumption determined, Overflowing `with' righteousness.
23 For a consumption that is determined, The Lord, Jehovah of Hosts, Is making in the midst of all the land.
24 Therefore, thus said the Lord, Jehovah of Hosts, `Be not afraid, my people, inhabiting Zion, because of Asshur, With a rod he doth smite thee, And his staff lifteth up against thee, in the way of Egypt.
25 For yet a very little, And the indignation hath been completed, And Mine anger by their wearing out.
26 And awaking for him is Jehovah of Hosts, A scourge like the smiting of Midian at the rock Oreb, And his rod `is' over the sea, And he hath lifted it in the way of Egypt.
27 And it hath come to pass, in that day, Turned is his burden from off thy shoulder, And his yoke from off thy neck, And destroyed hath been the yoke, because of prosperity.
28 He hath come in against Aiath, He hath passed over into Migron, At Michmash he looketh after his vessels.
29 They have gone over the passage, Geba they have made a lodging place, Trembled hath Rama, Gibeah of Saul fled.
30 Cry aloud `with' thy voice, daughter of Gallim, Give attention, Laish! answer her, Anathoth.
31 Fled away hath Madmenah, The inhabitants of the high places have hardened themselves.
32 Yet to-day in Nob to remain, Wave its hand doth the mount of the daughter of Zion, The hill of Jerusalem.
33 Lo, the Lord, Jehovah of Hosts, Is lopping a branch with violence, And the high of stature are cut down, And the lofty are become low,
34 And He hath gone round the thickets of the forest with iron, And Lebanon by a mighty one falleth!
1 Woe unto them that decree iniquitous decrees, and to the writers that prescribe oppression,
2 to turn away the poor from judgment, and to take away the right from the afflicted of my people; that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!
3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the sudden destruction [which] shall come from far? To whom will ye flee for help, and where will ye leave your glory?
4 They can but crouch under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.
5 Ah! the Assyrian! the rod of mine anger! and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.
6 I will send him against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge; to take the spoil, and to seize the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
7 But he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; for it is in his heart to extirpate and cut off nations not a few.
8 For he saith, Are not my princes all kings?
9 Is not Calno as Karkemish? Is not Hamath as Arpad? Is not Samaria as Damascus?
10 As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, -- and their graven images exceeded those of Jerusalem and Samaria,
11 -- shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her images?
12 And it shall come to pass, when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and upon Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stoutness of heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
13 For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done [it], and by my wisdom, for I am intelligent; and I have removed the bounds of the peoples, and have robbed their treasures, and, like a valiant man, I have brought down them that sit [on thrones];
14 and my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the peoples, and as one gathereth forsaken eggs, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or chirped.
15 -- Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? shall the saw magnify itself against him that wieldeth it? As if the rod should wield them that lift it up; as if the staff should lift up [him who is] not wood!
16 Therefore shall the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness, and under his glory he shall kindle a burning, like the burning of a fire:
17 and the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame; and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briars in one day,
18 and it shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body; and they shall be as when a sick man fainteth.
19 And the remainder of the trees of his forest shall be few: yea, a child might write them.
20 And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the remnant of Israel and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob shall no more again rely upon him that smote them; but they shall rely upon Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
21 The remnant shall return, the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty ùGod.
22 For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, [only] a remnant of them shall return: the consumption determined shall overflow in righteousness.
23 For a consumption, and [one] determined, will the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, accomplish in the midst of all the land.
24 Therefore thus saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts: O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian; he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt:
25 for yet a very little while, and the indignation shall be accomplished, and mine anger, in their destruction.
26 And Jehovah of hosts will stir up a scourge against him, according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb; and his rod [shall be] upon the sea, and he will lift it up after the manner of Egypt.
27 And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck; and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing. ...
28 He is come to Aiath, he hath passed through Migron; at Michmash he layeth up his baggage.
29 They are gone through the pass; they make their lodging at Geba: Ramah trembleth, Gibeah of Saul is fled.
30 Lift up thy voice, daughter of Gallim! Hearken, O Laish! -- Poor Anathoth!
31 Madmenah is fugitive; the inhabitants of Gebim take to flight.
32 Still a day of halting at Nob; he shaketh his hand [against] the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem. ...
33 Behold the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, shall lop the boughs with violence; and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be brought low;
34 and he shall make clearings in the thickets of the forest with iron; and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.
1 Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, and to the writers who write perverseness;
2 to turn aside the needy from justice, and to rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows may be their spoil, and that they may make the fatherless their prey!
3 What will you do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will you flee for help? and where will you leave your glory?
4 They shall only bow down under the prisoners, and shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
5 Ho Assyrian, the rod of my anger, the staff in whose hand is my indignation!
6 I will send him against a profane nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
7 However he doesn't mean so, neither does his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off not a few nations.
8 For he says, Aren't my princes all of them kings?
9 Isn't Calno as Carchemish? Isn't Hamath as Arpad? Isn't Samaria as Damascus?
10 As my hand has found the kingdoms of the idols, whose engraved images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;
11 shall I not, as I have done to Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?
12 Therefore it shall happen that, when the Lord has performed his whole work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
13 For he has said, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I have understanding: and I have removed the bounds of the peoples, and have robbed their treasures, and like a valiant man I have brought down those who sit [on thrones]:
14 and my hand has found as a nest the riches of the peoples; and as one gathers eggs that are forsaken, have I gathered all the earth: and there was none that moved the wing, or that opened the mouth, or chirped.
15 Shall the axe boast itself against him who hews therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? as if a rod should wield those who lift it up, [or] as if a staff should lift up [him who is] not wood.
16 Therefore will the Lord, Yahweh of Hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory there shall be kindled a burning like the burning of fire.
17 The light of Israel will be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame; and it will burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day.
18 He will consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and it shall be as when a standard-bearer faints.
19 The remnant of the trees of his forest shall be few, so that a child may write them.
20 It shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and those who are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again lean on him who struck them, but shall lean on Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
21 A remnant shall return, [even] the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God.
22 For though your people, Israel, be as the sand of the sea, [only] a remnant of them shall return: a destruction [is] determined, overflowing with righteousness.
23 For a full end, and that determined, will the Lord, Yahweh of Hosts, make in the midst of all the earth.
24 Therefore thus says the Lord, Yahweh of Hosts, my people who dwell in Zion, don't be afraid of the Assyrian, though he strike you with the rod, and lift up his staff against you, after the manner of Egypt.
25 For yet a very little while, and the indignation [against you] shall be accomplished, and my anger [shall be directed] to his destruction.
26 Yahweh of Hosts will stir up against him a scourge, as in the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and his rod will be over the sea, and he will lift it up after the manner of Egypt.
27 It shall happen in that day, that his burden shall depart from off your shoulder, and his yoke from off your neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed by reason of fatness.
28 He is come to Aiath, he is passed through Migron; at Michmash he lays up his baggage;
29 they are gone over the pass; they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramah trembles; Gibeah of Saul is fled.
30 Cry aloud with your voice, daughter of Gallim! listen, Laishah! You poor Anathoth!
31 Madmenah is a fugitive; the inhabitants of Gebim flee for safety.
32 This very day shall he halt at Nob: he shakes his hand at the mountain of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.
33 Behold, the Lord, Yahweh of Hosts, will lop the boughs with terror: and the high of stature shall be hewn down, and the lofty shall be brought low.
34 He will cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.
1 Cursed are those who make evil decisions, and the writers who make the records of their cruel acts:
2 Who do wrong to the poor in their cause, and take away the right of the crushed among my people, so that they may have the property of widows, and get under their power those who have no father.
3 And what will you do in the day of punishment, and in the destruction which is coming from far? to whom will you go for help, and what will become of your glory?
4 ... For all this his wrath is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
5 Ho! Assyrian, the rod of my wrath, the instrument of my punishment!
6 I will send him against a nation of wrongdoers, and against the people of my wrath I will give him orders, to take their wealth in war, crushing them down like the dust in the streets.
7 But this is not what is in his mind, and this is not his design; but his purpose is destruction, and the cutting off of more and more nations.
8 For he says, Are not all my captains kings?
9 Will not the fate of Calno be like that of Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus?
10 As my hand has come on the kingdoms of the images, whose pictured images were more in number than those of Jerusalem and Samaria;
11 So, as I have done to Samaria and her images, I will do to Jerusalem and her images.
12 For this cause it will be that, when the purpose of the Lord against Mount Zion and Jerusalem is complete, I will send punishment on the pride of the heart of the king of Assyria, and on the glory of his uplifted eyes.
13 For he has said, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my knowledge, for I am wise: and I have taken away the limits of the peoples' lands, and the stores of their wealth have become mine; and I have made towns low in the dust, sending destruction on those living in them;
14 And I have put my hands on the wealth of the peoples, as on the place where a bird has put her eggs; and as a man may take the eggs from which a bird has gone, so I have taken all the earth for myself: and not a wing was moved, and not a mouth gave out a sound.
15 Will the axe say high-sounding words against him who is using it, or the blade be full of pride against him who is cutting with it? As if a rod had the power of shaking him who is using it, or as if a stick might take up him who is not wood.
16 For this cause the Lord, the Lord of armies, will make his fat become wasted; and in his inner parts a fire will be lighted like a burning flame.
17 And the light of Israel will be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: wasting and burning up his thorns in one day.
18 And he will put an end to the glory of his woods and of his planted fields, soul and body together; and it will be as when a man is wasted by disease.
19 And the rest of the trees of his wood will be small in number, so that a child may put them down in writing.
20 And it will be in that day that the rest of Israel, and those of Jacob who have come safely through these troubles, will no longer go for help to him whose rod was on their back, but their faith will be in the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.
21 The rest, even the rest of Jacob, will come back to the Strong God.
22 For though your people, O Israel, are as the sand of the sea, only a small number will come back: for the destruction is fixed, overflowing in righteousness.
23 For the Lord, the Lord of armies, is about to make destruction complete in all the land.
24 For this cause the Lord, the Lord of armies, says, O my people living in Zion, have no fear of the Assyrian, even if his rod comes on your back, and his stick is lifted up as in Egypt.
25 For in a very short time my passion will be over, and my wrath will be turned to their destruction.
26 And the Lord of armies will be shaking a whip against him, as when he overcame Midian at the rock of Oreb: and his rod will be lifted up against them as it was against the Egyptians.
27 And in that day the weight which he put on your back will be taken away, and his yoke broken from off your neck.
28 He has gone up from Pene-Rimmon, he has come to Aiath; he has gone past Migron, at Michmash he puts his forces in order.
29 They have gone across the mountain; Geba will be our resting-place tonight, they say: Ramah is shaking with fear; Gibeah of Saul has gone in flight.
30 Give a loud cry, daughter of Gallim; let Laishah give ear; let Anathoth give answer to her.
31 Madmenah has gone; the men of Gebim are putting their goods in a safe place.
32 This very day he is stopping at Nob; he is shaking his hand against the mountain of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.
33 See, the Lord, the Lord of armies, is cutting off his branches with a great noise, and his strong ones are falling and his high ones are coming down.
34 And he is cutting down the thick places of the wood with an axe, and Lebanon with its tall trees is coming down.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Isaiah 10
Commentary on Isaiah 10 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 10
Isa 10:1-4. Fourth strophe.
1. them that decree—namely, unrighteous judges.
write grievousness, &c.—not the scribes, but the magistrates who caused unjust decisions (literally, "injustice" or "grievousness") to be recorded by them (Isa 65:6) [Maurer], (Isa 1:10, 23).
2. To turn aside, &c.—The effect of their conduct is to pervert the cause of the needy [Horsley]. In English Version "from judgment" means "from obtaining justice."
take away the right—"make plunder of the right" (rightful claim) [Horsley].
3. what will ye do—what way of escape will there be for you?
visitation—of God's wrath (Isa 26:14; Job 35:15; Ho 9:7).
from far—from Assyria.
leave … glory—rather, "deposit (for safekeeping) your wealth" [Lowth]. So Ps 49:17.
4. Without me—not having Me to "flee to" (Isa 10:3).
bow down—Bereft of strength they shall fall; or else, they shall lie down fettered.
under … under—rather, "among" (literally, "in the place of") [Horsley]. The "under" may be, however, explained, "trodden under the (feet of the) prisoners going into captivity," and "overwhelmed under the heaps of slain on the battlefield" [Maurer].
Isa 10:5-34 and Isa 11:12. Destruction of the Assyrians; Coming of Messiah; Hymn of Praise.
Isa 10:9, 11 show that Samaria was destroyed before this prophecy. It was written when Assyria proposed (a design which it soon after tried to carry out under Sennacherib) to destroy Judah and Jerusalem, as it had destroyed Samaria. This is the first part of Isaiah's prophecies under Hezekiah. Probably between 722 and 715 B.C. (see Isa 10:27).
5. O Assyrian, &c.—rather, "What, ho (but Maurer, Woe to the) Assyrian! He is the rod and staff of Mine anger (My instrument in punishing, Jer 51:20; Ps 17:13). In their hands is Mine indignation" [Horsley, after Jerome]. I have put into the Assyrians' hands the execution of Mine indignation against My people.
6. send him—"Kings' hearts are in the hand of the Lord" (Pr 21:1).
hypocritical—polluted [Horsley].
nation—Judah, against whom Sennacherib was forming designs.
of my wrath—objects of My wrath.
give … charge—(Jer 34:22).
and to tread, &c.—Horsley translates: "And then to make him (the Assyrian) a trampling under foot like the mire of the streets" (so Isa 10:12; Isa 33:1; Zec 10:5). But see Isa 37:26.
7. meaneth not so—He is only thinking of his own schemes, while God is overruling them to His purposes.
think—intend. Sinners' plans are no less culpable, though they by them unconsciously fulfil God's designs (Ps 76:10; Mic 4:12). So Joseph's brethren (Ge 50:20; Pr 16:4). The sinner's motive, not the result (which depends on God), will be the test in judgment.
heart to destroy … not a few—Sennacherib's ambition was not confined to Judea. His plan was also to conquer Egypt and Ethiopia (Isa 20:1-6; Zec 1:15).
8-11. Vauntings of the Assyrians. Illustrated by the self-laudatory inscriptions of Assyria deciphered by Hincks.
princes … kings—Eastern satraps and governors of provinces often had the title and diadem of kings. Hence the title, "King of kings," implying the greatness of Him who was over them (Eze 26:7; Ezr 7:12).
9. Is not … as—Was there any one of these cities able to withstand me? Not one. So Rab-shakeh vaunts (Isa 36:19).
Calno—Calneh, built by Nimrod (Ge 10:10), once his capital, on the Tigris.
Carchemish—Circesium, on the Euphrates. Taken afterwards by Necho, king of Egypt; and retaken by Nebuchadnezzar: by the Euphrates (Jer 46:2).
Hamath—in Syria, north of Canaan (Ge 10:18). Taken by Assyria about 753 B.C. From it colonists were planted by Assyria in Samaria.
Arpad—near Hamath.
Samaria—now overthrown.
Damascus—(Isa 17:1, 3).
10, 11. found—unable to resist me: hath overcome (so Ps 21:8).
and whose—rather, "and their." This clause, down to "Samaria," is parenthetical.
excel—were more powerful. He regards Jerusalem as idolatrous, an opinion which it often had given too much ground for: Jehovah was in his view the mere local god of Judea, as Baal of the countries where it was adored, nay, inferior in power to some national gods (Isa 36:19, 20; 37:12). See in opposition, Isa 37:20; 46:1.
As my hand … shall I not, as I have—a double protasis. Agitation makes one accumulate sentences.
12. whole work—His entire plan is regard to the punishment of the Jews (Isa 10:5-7).
Zion—the royal residence, the court, princes and nobles; as distinguished from "Jerusalem," the people in general.
fruit—the result of, that is, the plants emanating from.
stout—Hebrew, "greatness of," that is, pride of.
glory—haughtiness.
13. I am prudent—He ascribes his success to his own prudence, not to God's providence.
removed the bounds—set aside old, and substituted new boundaries of kingdoms at will. A criminal act, as Jehovah Himself had appointed the boundaries of the nations (De 32:8).
treasures—"hoarded treasures" [Horsley].
put down … inhabitants like, &c.—rather, "as a valiant man, I have brought down (from their seats) those seated" (namely, "on thrones"; as in Ps 2:4; 29:10; 55:19). The Hebrew for "He that abideth," is He that sitteth on a throne); otherwise, "I have brought down (as captives into Assyria, which lay lower than Judea; therefore 'brought down,' compare Isa 36:1, 10), the inhabitants" [Maurer].
14. nest—implying the ease with which he carried off all before him.
left—by the parent bird.
none … moved … wing—image from an angry bird resisting the robbery of its "nest."
peeped—chirped even low (Isa 8:19). No resistance was offered me, of deed, or even word.
15. Shall the instrument boast against Him who uses it? Through free in a sense, and carrying out his own plans, the Assyrian was unconsciously carrying out God's purposes.
shaketh it—moves it back and forward.
staff … lift … itself … no wood—rather, "as if the staff (man, the instrument of God's judgments on his fellow man) should set aside (Him who is) not wood" (not a mere instrument, as man). On "no wood" compare De 32:21, "that which is not God;" Isa 31:8 shows that God is meant here by "not wood" [Maurer].
16. fat ones—(Isa 5:17). The robust and choice soldiers of Assyria (Ps 78:31, where "fattest" answers in the parallelism to "chosen," or "young men," Margin).
leanness—carrying out the image on "fat ones." Destruction (Ps 106:15). Fulfilled (Isa 37:36).
his glory—Assyria's nobles. So in Isa 5:13, Margin; Isa 8:7.
kindle—a new image from fire consuming quickly dry materials (Zec 12:6).
17, 18. light of Israel—carrying out the image in the end of Isa 10:16. Jehovah, who is a light to Israel, shall be the "fire" (De 4:24; Heb 12:29) that shall ignite the "thorns," (the Assyrians, like dry fuel, a ready prey to flame).
18. glory of his forest—The common soldiers, the princes, officers, &c., all alike together, shall be consumed (see on Isa 9:18).
in one day—(Isa 37:36).
fruitful field—literally, "Carmel," a rich mountain in the tribe of Asher. Figurative for Sennacherib's mighty army. Perhaps alluding to his own boasting words about to be uttered (Isa 37:24), "I will enter the forest of his Carmel."
soul and body—proverbial for utterly; the entire man is made up of soul and body.
as when a standard bearer fainteth—rather, "they shall be as when a sick man" (from a Syriac root) wastes away." Compare "leanness," that is, wasting destruction (Isa 10:16) [Maurer]. Or, "there shall be an entire dissipation, like a perfect melting" (namely, of the Assyrian army) [Horsley].
19. rest—those who shall survive the destruction of the host.
his forest—same image as in Isa 10:18, for the once dense army.
child … write—so few that a child might count them.
20-22. The effect on the "remnant" (contrasted with the Assyrian remnant, Isa 10:19); namely, those who shall be left after the invasion of Sennacherib, will be a return from dependence on external idolatrous nations, as Assyria and Egypt (2Ki 18:21; 16:7-9), to the God of the theocracy; fulfilled in part in the pious Hezekiah's days; but from the future aspect under which Paul, in Ro 9:27, 28 (compare "short work" with "whole work," Isa 10:12, here), regards the whole prophecy, the "remnant," "who stay upon the Lord," probably will receive their fullest realization in the portion of Jews left after that Antichrist shall have been overthrown, who shall "return" unto the Lord (Isa 6:13; 7:3; Zec 12:9, 10; 14:2, 3; Zep 3:12).
21. mighty God—(Isa 9:6) the God who shall have evinced such might in destroying Israel's enemies. As the Assyrians in Sennacherib's reign did not carry off Judah captive, the returning "remnant" cannot mainly refer to this time.
22. yet—rather in the sense in which Paul quotes it (Ro 9:27), "Though Israel be now numerous as the sand, a remnant only of them shall return"—the great majority shall perish. The reason is added, Because "the consumption (fully completed destruction) is decreed (literally, decided on, brought to an issue), it overfloweth (Isa 30:28; 8:8) with justice"; that is, the infliction of just punishment (Isa 5:16) [Maurer].
23. even determined—"A consumption, and whatever is determined," or decreed [Maurer].
midst—Zion, the central point of the earth as to Jehovah's presence.
land—Israel. But the Septuagint, "in the whole habitable world." So English Version (Ro 9:28), "upon the earth."
24. Therefore—Return to the main proposition, Assyria's ultimate punishment, though employed as God's "rod" to chastise Judea for a time.
O my people—God's tenderness towards His elect nation.
after the manner of Egypt—as Egypt and Pharaoh oppressed thee. Implying, too, as Israel was nevertheless delivered from them, so now it would be from the Assyrian Sennacherib. The antithesis in Isa 10:26 requires this interpretation [Maurer].
25. For—Be not afraid (Isa 10:24), for, &c.
indignation … cease—The punishments of God against Israel shall be consummated and ended (Isa 26:20; Da 11:36). "Till the indignation be accomplished," &c.
mine anger—shall turn to their (the Assyrians') destruction.
26. slaughter of—"stroke upon."
Midian—(Isa 9:4; Jud 7:25).
as his rod was upon the sea—rather, understanding "stroke" from the previous clause, "according to the stroke of His rod upon the Red Sea" (Ex 14:16, 26). His "rod" on the Assyrian (Isa 10:24, 26) stands in bold contrast to the Assyrian used as a "rod" to strike others (Isa 10:5).
after the manner of Egypt—as He lifted it up against Egypt at the Red Sea.
27. his burden—the Assyrians' oppression (Isa 9:3). Judah was still tributary to Assyria; Hezekiah had not yet revolted, as he did in the beginning of Sennacherib's reign.
because of—(Ho 10:15).
the anointing—namely, "Messiah" (Da 9:24). Just as in Isa 9:4-6, the "breaking of the yoke of" the enemies' "burden and staff" is attributed to Messiah, "For unto us a child is born," &c., so it is here. Maurer not so well translates, "Because of the fatness"; an image of the Assyrians fierce and wanton pride drawn from a well-fed bull tossing off the yoke (De 32:15). So Isa 10:16 above, and Isa 5:17, "fat ones."
28-32. Onward gradual march of Sennacherib's army towards Jerusalem, and the panic of the inhabitants vividly pictured before the eyes.
come to—come upon as a sudden invader (Ge 34:27).
Aiath—same as Ai (Jos 7:2; Ne 7:32). In the north of Benjamin; so the other towns also; all on the line of march to Jerusalem.
Michmash—nine miles northeast of Jerusalem.
laid up … carriages—He has left his heavier baggage (so "carriages" for the things carried, Ac 21:15) at Michmash, so as to be more lightly equipped for the siege of Jerusalem. So 1Sa 17:22; 25:13; 30:24 [Jerome and Maurer].
29. passage—the jaws of the wady or defile at Michmash (1Sa 13:23; 14:4, 5).
lodging—their quarters for the night, after having passed the defile which might have been easily guarded against them.
Ramah—near Geba; seven miles from Jerusalem.
Gibeah of Saul—his birthplace and residence, in Benjamin (1Sa 11:4), distinct from Gibeah of Judah (Jos 15:57).
30. daughter of Gallim—Gallim and her sons (see on Isa 1:8; 2Ki 19:21). "Cry aloud in consternation."
Laish—not the town in Dan (Jud 18:7), but one of the same name near Jerusalem (1 Maccabees 9:9).
Anathoth—three miles from Jerusalem in Benjamin; the birthplace of Jeremiah. "Poor" is applied to it in pity, on account of the impending calamity. Others translate, Answer her, O Anathoth.
31. Madmenah—not the city in Simeon (Jos 15:31), but a village near Jerusalem.
removed—fled from fear.
gather themselves to flee—"put their goods in a place of safety" [Maurer].
32. that day—literally, "As yet this (one only) day (is allowed to the soldiers) for remaining (halting for rest) at Nob"; northeast of Jerusalem on Olivet; a town of the priests (Ne 11:32).
daughter—rightly substituted for the Chetib reading, house. His "shaking his hand" in menace implies that he is now at Nob, within sight of Jerusalem.
33. bough—literally, the "beauty" of the tree; "the beautiful branch."
high ones of stature—"the upright stem," as distinguished from the previous "boughs" [Horsley].
34. This verse and Isa 10:33 describe the sudden arrest and overthrow of Sennacherib in the height of his success; Isa 10:18, 19; Eze 31:3, 14, &c., contain the same image; "Lebanon" and its forest are the Assyrian army; the "iron" axe that fells the forest refers to the stroke which destroyed the one hundred and eighty-five thousand Assyrians (2Ki 19:35). The "Mighty One" is Jehovah (Isa 10:21; Isa 9:6).