Isaiah 10:13 kjv
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:
Isaiah 10:13 nkjv
For he says: "By the strength of my hand I have done it, And by my wisdom, for I am prudent; Also I have removed the boundaries of the people, And have robbed their treasuries; So I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man.
Isaiah 10:13 niv
For he says: "?'By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, because I have understanding. I removed the boundaries of nations, I plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their kings.
Isaiah 10:13 esv
For he says: "By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding; I remove the boundaries of peoples, and plunder their treasures; like a bull I bring down those who sit on thrones.
Isaiah 10:13 nlt
He boasts, "By my own powerful arm I have done this.
With my own shrewd wisdom I planned it.
I have broken down the defenses of nations
and carried off their treasures.
I have knocked down their kings like a bull.
Isaiah 10 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 10:15 | Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth with it? | Polemic against pride |
| Isaiah 14:27 | For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? | God's sovereign purpose |
| Jeremiah 27:5 | I have made the earth by my great power and by my outstretched arm. | God's creative power |
| Jeremiah 45:5 | And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all the places whither thou goest. | Warning against self-ambition |
| Daniel 4:32 | And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee; till thou shalt know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. | God rules kingdoms |
| Acts 17:28 | For in him we live, and move, and have our being. | God's sustaining power |
| 1 Corinthians 1:20 | Where is the wise man? where is the scribe? where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? | God makes foolish worldly wisdom |
| 1 Corinthians 4:7 | For who makes you to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? | All gifts from God |
| Philippians 2:13 | For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. | God works in believers |
| Proverbs 16:4 | The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. | Wickedness for God's purpose |
| Job 41:11 | Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine. | God's ownership |
| Romans 9:20 | Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? | God's sovereignty over man |
| Ephesians 1:11 | In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. | God works all things |
| Psalm 33:10 | The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. | God thwarts nations' plans |
| Psalm 76:10 | Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. | God uses human wrath |
| Amos 3:6 | Shall a trumpet be in the city, and the LORD hath not done it? | God's role in events |
| Genesis 50:20 | But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, and to save much people alive. | God uses evil for good |
| 1 Samuel 15:29 | And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent. | God's unchangeable purpose |
| John 19:11 | Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above. | Power from God |
| Isaiah 45:7 | I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. | God creates evil (allowance) |
Isaiah 10 verses
Isaiah 10 13 Meaning
This verse reveals God's sovereignty over human actions, even those motivated by pride and self-will. God attributes the successes of the Assyrian king, which were brought about by his own "power" and "wisdom," to Himself. This highlights that even seemingly secular or sinful achievements ultimately serve God's divine purposes. The verse speaks to God's ability to orchestrate events and use instruments, even wicked ones, to accomplish His will and bring about His judgment.
Isaiah 10 13 Context
Isaiah 10:5-34 describes God's judgment against the proud Assyrian empire. The Assyrians, at the height of their power, were a brutal military force that oppressed many nations, including the northern kingdom of Israel. The chapter portrays Assyria as an instrument of God's wrath to punish His people for their sins. However, the Assyrian king himself is consumed by arrogance, believing his success is due solely to his own might and strategic genius, forgetting that he is merely a tool in God's hands. This specific verse addresses the king's boasts and God's response, revealing that the Assyrian king's actions, though boastfully attributed to himself, are ultimately permitted and utilized by God to accomplish His purposes of judgment and discipline.
Isaiah 10 13 Word Analysis
- אֹי (oy): "Woe," an interjection expressing distress, calamity, or grief. This sets a tone of divine displeasure.
- לוֹ (lo): "to him," referring to the Assyrian king.
- נָגַח (nagaḥ): "to push," "to gore," "to thrust." This verb implies forceful, aggressive action, often used for a bull attacking with its horns. It vividly portrays the king's self-assured aggression and dominance.
- מַטֶּה (maṭṭeh): "rod," "staff," "tribe." Here it represents the tool of governance or the instrument of punishment.
- בִּי (bi): "in me" or "by me." It connects the action of goring directly to the subject.
- שָׁפָתַיִם (shaphathayim): "lips" (dual form). Referring to his mouth or spoken words, often representing his boasts or pronouncements.
- מְקַצֵּץ (meqatsēts): "cutting off," "pruning." Implies a process of subdivision or a precise, selective action, suggesting the king's methodical conquest.
- קָנֶה (qaneh): "reed," "staff." It signifies a slender or simple tool, contrasting with the king's perceived immense power. The contrast between the "rod" and the "reed" highlights the insignificant nature of the tool compared to the arrogance of the user.
Word Group Analysis
- "Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth with it?": This rhetorical question contrasts the tool (axe) with the user (hewer). The axe is inanimate; it does not have agency or the capacity to boast. Its strength and purpose come entirely from the one wielding it. This strongly suggests that the Assyrian king, in his boastfulness, is like an axe overestimating its own power, failing to recognize that his strength and success are derived from God.
Isaiah 10 13 Bonus Section
The concept of God using a nation or individual as an instrument of His judgment is a recurring theme in Scripture. For instance, the Babylonians were used to punish Judah for its apostasy, and later, Rome became the instrument of judgment against a rebellious Judea. These examples, like Assyria in this context, often involved nations with significant military might and pride. This verse teaches us not to confuse the instrument with the ultimate authority that wields it. The arrogance of the tool is foolish because the tool is utterly dependent on the wielder.
Isaiah 10 13 Commentary
The prophet Isaiah employs a potent metaphor to rebuke the king of Assyria. The king, in his haughty arrogance, claims credit for his victories and conquests, attributing them solely to his own strength and strategic brilliance. God, however, counters this pride by framing the king as merely a tool in His hands. Just as an axe does not wield itself but is wielded by the woodcutter, the Assyrian king does not achieve success independently; his power and actions are divinely permitted and directed.
This verse is a foundational statement on divine sovereignty and human responsibility. While God is sovereign and uses individuals and nations, including those who are wicked, to fulfill His purposes, this does not absolve them of their responsibility for their actions. The axe can be used for constructive purposes or destructive ones, but the intention and agency lie with the user, not the tool.
The essence of the verse is to strip away human pride when it credits itself for that which belongs to God. It’s a warning against forgetting the divine source of all power, ability, and opportunity. True understanding recognizes that all accomplishments, whether by individuals, armies, or nations, ultimately trace back to the overarching will and plan of the Almighty. This applies not just to historical empires but to every believer’s life – acknowledging God in all our ways, from the smallest task to the grandest ambition.