Isaiah 10 15

Isaiah 10:15 kjv

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.

Isaiah 10:15 nkjv

Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it? Or shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws with it? As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up, Or as if a staff could lift up, as if it were not wood!

Isaiah 10:15 niv

Does the ax raise itself above the person who swings it, or the saw boast against the one who uses it? As if a rod were to wield the person who lifts it up, or a club brandish the one who is not wood!

Isaiah 10:15 esv

Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood!

Isaiah 10:15 nlt

But can the ax boast greater power than the person who uses it?
Is the saw greater than the person who saws?
Can a rod strike unless a hand moves it?
Can a wooden cane walk by itself?

Isaiah 10 verses

Isaiah 10 15 Meaning

The verse describes an Assyrian king's belief that his own might and wisdom were the source of his victories. He saw his army as instruments of his will, and the nations he conquered as less intelligent. However, this prideful perspective was deeply flawed, as the true power behind any conquest or action ultimately belongs to God. The verse highlights the foolishness of human boasting when detached from divine acknowledgment.

Isaiah 10 15 Context

This verse is situated within Isaiah chapter 10, which focuses on the impending judgment of Assyria. Assyria, at this time, was a formidable world power that had militarily conquered many nations, including the northern kingdom of Israel. The prophet Isaiah is addressing the people of Judah, warning them about their own potential reliance on foreign alliances (like Egypt) rather than on God.

The passage specifically condemns the pride and self-sufficiency of the Assyrian king. He attributes all his successes to his own strength, wisdom, and planning. This boastful attitude directly contrasts with the divine sovereignty that Isaiah proclaims throughout his prophecy. The Assyrian king, in his arrogance, views the nations he has subdued as mere objects or tools, dismissing their gods as less powerful than his own, or even nonexistent. This verse highlights the profound spiritual blindness of those who exclude God from their successes and attribute all glory to themselves.

Isaiah 10 15 Word Analysis

• "Wherefore" (Hebrew: לָכֵן - lāḵên) - Indicates a consequence or therefore, connecting this statement to the preceding actions and the king's mindset. It introduces the rationale behind his boasting.

• "it came to pass" (Hebrew: מֶתַא — metá) - Often used in Hebrew narrative to mark a transition or introduction of an event or statement. Here it introduces the king's proud declaration.

• "that I have done" (Hebrew: עָשִׂיתִי — ʿāśîṯî) - First person singular perfect tense verb meaning "I have done" or "I have made." This emphasizes the personal agency the king claims.

• "this" (Hebrew: זֹאת — zōṯ) - Refers to the totality of his conquests and the accumulated power and prestige.

• "by the strength of mine hand" (Hebrew: בְּכֹחַ יָדִי — bəḵōaḥ yāḏî) - A direct claim of personal physical strength and military might. "Hand" is often used metonymically for power and action.

• "and by my wisdom" (Hebrew: וּבְחָכְמָתִי — ūḇəḥāḵmāṯî) - An assertion of superior intellect, strategy, and foresight as the drivers of his success.

• "for I am prudent" (Hebrew: כִּי־נָבוֹן אָנִי — kî-nāḇôn ānî) - "Kî" means "because" or "for." "Navon" signifies understanding, intelligence, discretion, and shrewdness. The king declares he possesses these qualities inherently.

• "and I have disposed" (Hebrew: וָאָשִׂית — wā’āśîṯ) - "Va’ashit" is a waw-consecutive perfect verb from "sit" meaning "to set," "to place," "to arrange," or "to appoint." It implies strategic placement and control over conquered territories and peoples.

• "the boundaries of the people" (Hebrew: גְּבוּלֹת עַמִּים — gəḇūlōṯ ʿammîm) - Refers to the political borders and administrative divisions of various nations. The king asserts he has redrawn them at his will.

• "and have removed their riches" (Hebrew: וַהֲבִיאֹתִי — wahaḇî’ōṯî) - "Vahaḇi’oti" is a hiphil form from "bo" meaning "to bring in" or "to carry away." It refers to plundering and confiscating the wealth of conquered nations.

• "and have put down the inhabitants" (Hebrew: וָאוֹרִיד — wā’ōrîḏ) - "Va’orid" is a hiphil form from "yarad" meaning "to go down" or "to bring down." This signifies overthrowing populations and reducing their status or power.

• "as a valiant man" (Hebrew: כְּגִבּוֹר — kəḡibḇōr) - The comparison emphasizes the king's perception of himself as an exceptionally powerful warrior and ruler. "Gibbor" means mighty man, warrior, or hero.

• Group Analysis: Claims of Self-Sufficiency and Divine MimicryThe core of this verse lies in the Assyrian king's complete severance from God. He mirrors divine attributes – wisdom, power, the ability to create order and boundaries – but attributes them entirely to his own person. This is a dangerous imitation of God's authority without acknowledging the Source. It’s a practical atheism, acting as if God does not exist or does not direct affairs. His boasting in "strength of hand" and "wisdom" positions himself as an independent agent, completely autonomous and self-created in his success, a characteristic antithetical to the God of Israel who alone has true omnipotence and omniscience.

Isaiah 10 15 Bonus Section

The Assyrian king's perspective mirrors a deeply rooted human tendency towards pride, which is identified in scripture as a sin leading to downfall. This tendency is not confined to ancient kings but is a spiritual hazard for every believer. Recognizing that all our abilities, wisdom, and opportunities are gifts from God (James 1:17) is crucial for maintaining humility and proper perspective. The spiritual danger here is in taking credit for what God has given or enabled, thereby elevating ourselves to a position that belongs to Him. This also speaks to a worldview where might makes right, and strategic planning supersedes divine providence. Such a view is common in secular political and military thinking, but it is directly challenged by the biblical narrative, which consistently shows God’s hand in human affairs, often humbling the proud and exalting the humble. The prophecy against Assyria serves as a timeless warning against the spiritual arrogance that characterizes those who forget the source of their strength and success.

Isaiah 10 15 Commentary

This verse exposes the ultimate futility and pride of human ambition when it operates outside of acknowledging God's sovereignty. The Assyrian king exemplifies the ultimate expression of self-reliance. He believes his victories are solely the product of his own superior strength and intelligence. This mindset leads him to believe he has the right and ability to reorder the world, redrawing national boundaries, confiscating wealth, and subjugating populations. He acts as if he is the ultimate architect of his destiny and the world’s political landscape. This perspective is inherently rebellious against God, who alone ordains kings and kingdoms and determines outcomes. Isaiah prophesies that this pride will lead to utter destruction, as God will ultimately bring down those who exalt themselves. True wisdom, as taught in Scripture, is to recognize our dependence on God for every breath and every success. The king’s supposed wisdom is blindness, as he fails to see the ultimate power that has allowed his conquests. His confidence is misplaced, building on sand rather than the rock of God’s eternal purpose.