Bibelkommentare

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).