Isaiah 10:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for he says: “Are not my commanders all kings?

NIV: Are not my commanders all kings?' he says.

NASB: For it says, 'Are not my officers all kings?

CSB: For he says, "Aren't all my commanders kings?

NLT: He will say, ‘Each of my princes will soon be a king.

KJV: For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings?

NKJV: For he says, ‘ Are not my princes altogether kings?

Isaiah is quoting the Lord God. He has said He commands the armies of Assyria to come and crush His people in Israel for their rebellion against Him (Isaiah 10:6). The king of Assyria, Sargon II, does not believe for a moment that the Lord is in charge. This arrogant conqueror of nations believes himself to be the source of his own success and power (Isaiah 10:7). It would never occur to Him that the Lord God of Israel is using him as a tool to work His own will on the earth.

The Lord begins to quote how Sargon would describe his success from his point of view. He begins by pointing to the commanders of his armies, asking if they are not all kings. In other words, Sargon declares his commanders to be so powerful and feared that they have more authority and responsibility than many of the rulers of the city-states. These are the city-states they have already conquered. Those rulers called themselves "kings" until the Assyrian commanders wiped out their kingdoms and power.

Isaiah 10:5–19 describes Assyria as a weapon of the Lord's anger directed at His own people. The king of Assyria imagines himself to be the source of his own strength. He also images that he will keep conquering one nation after another. However, when the Lord has finished using Assyria, He will turn and judge the king for his arrogance. Does the axe boast over the one who uses it? Or does the staff lift the one who holds it? The Lord will consume Assyria as fire consumes a forest.

Isaiah declares woe on those in Israel and Judah who use the law to take advantage of the poor. These people will not escape the Lord's judgment. He next describes the Assyrians as the Lord's staff of judgment against the godless nation that is His people. When He is done punishing His people, the Lord will turn His anger on the Assyrians, nearly destroying them. Eventually, a remnant of Israelites will return to faith in the Lord. Destruction will come, but it will not consume everything. The Lord will triumph over Assyria.

Isaiah 10 follows prophecies about God's judgment on Israel for the nation's sins. It begins pronouncing sorrow for those who oppress the poor and needy. He also declares woe on the Assyrians, whom the Lord is using to judge His people Israel. Soon, the Lord will direct His anger against the Assyrians for the arrogance of their king. He will burn them down as a forest. A remnant of Israel will survive the Assyrian judgment and trust the Lord again. His anger will turn from Israel to Assyria. The Assyrian oppression of Israel will be ended.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

Accessed 5/5/2024 8:35:31 AM