Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 10:13
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]:
13. I am prudent ] Better, I have insight.
I have removed the bounds of the people ] ( peoples as R.V.). It was the policy of the later Assyrian Empire to obliterate national distinctions, partly by welding the separate states under a single administration and partly by wholesale deportation of conquered populations. In the view of antiquity this was a violation of the divinely constituted order of the world (see Deu 32:8). Even in the Messianic age, Isaiah anticipates that the political integrity of different nationalities will be preserved (ch. Isa 2:2-4).
their treasures ] lit. parata, “things prepared.”
put down the inhabitants ] R.V. has brought down them that sit ( on thrones). Vulg. “in sublimi residentes.” That translation is suggested by the verb “bring down,” which seems to imply that those referred to were previously exalted. The text is possibly defective. LXX. reads .
like a valiant man] The Qr ( kabbr, a word found only in Isaiah and Job) means “a great one” (Job 34:17 [R.V.], 24, Isa 36:5, of God). It is difficult to see why in this case the consonantal text was departed from. It has k’abbr, either “like a strong one” ( Kaph veritatis) or “like a bull.” See on ch. Isa 1:24. The bull as a symbol of strength figures largely in Assyrian art.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
13, 14. The second imaginary speech of the king of Assyria. He ascribes his successes (and how easy have they been! Isa 10:14) solely to his own power and wisdom. Comp. the self-glorification of the prince of Tyre in Ezekiel 28.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
For he saith – The king of Assyria saith. This verse and the following are designed to show the reason why the king of Assyria should be thus punished. It was on account of his pride, and wicked plans. He sought not the glory of God, but purposed to do evil.
For I am prudent – I am wise; attributing his success to his own understanding, rather than to God.
I have removed the bounds of the people – That is, I have changed the limits of kingdoms; I have taken away the old boundaries, and made new ones at my pleasure. I have divided them into kingdoms and provinces as I pleased. No higher assumption of power could have been made than thus to have changed the ancient limits of empires, and remodelled them at his will. It was claiming that he had so extended his own empire, as to have effectually blotted out the ancient lines which had existed, so that they were now all one, and under his control. So a man who buys farms, and annexes them to his own, takes away the ancient limits; he runs new lines as he pleases, and unites them all into one. This was the claim which Sennacherib set up over the nations.
Have robbed their treasures – Their hoarded wealth. This was another instance of the claim which he set up, of power and dominion. The treasures of kingdoms which had been hoarded for purposes of peace or war, he had plundered, and appropriated to his own use; compare the note at Isa 46:3.
I have put down the inhabitants – I have subdued them; have vanquished them.
As a valiant man – ka’bbyr. Margin, Many people. The Keri, or Hebrew marginal reading, is kabbyr without the Hebrew letter , a mighty or, strong man. The sense is not materially different. It is a claim that he had evinced might and valor in bringing down nations. Lowth renders it, Them that were strongly seated. Noyes, Them that sat upon thrones. The Chaldee renders the verse, not literally, but according to the sense, I have made people to migrate from province to province, and have plundered the cities that were the subjects of praise, and have brought down by strength those who dwelt in fortified places. Our translation has given the sense correctly.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Isa 10:13
For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it
The ungodliness of worldly pursuits
1.
Let us reflect on the total forgetfulness of God, and the unwillingness to recognise His power and presence, with which objects of human interest and ambition are frequently prosecuted and enjoyed.
2. Let us dwell on the spirit with which worldly men engage in the pursuit of their favourite objects, the temper and disposition of mind with which they encounter disappointment, and the kind of happiness which they derive from the success of their enterprises.
(1) The ardour with which they prosecute these is virtually a declaration that they are determined to be happy independently of God; the firmness and perseverance with which they struggle with adversity, and labour to retrieve their losses, are so many attempts to dispute with Him the determination of events, and to wrest from His hand the government of the universe; and when they have been successful almost or altogether to the extent of their expectations, and when they contrast the success that has rewarded them with the failure and disappointment that have befallen others in similar circumstances,–the principle which lies at the foundation of all their enjoyments, and gives zest to every other gratification, is substantially that which is expressed in our text, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I am prudent.
(2) It is not, however, to those only who place their chief good in a given portion of this worlds wealth, that these observations are applicable. They will be found to hold equally true in the case of those who can find in the exercise of high intellectual endowments a gratification which mere worldly wealth never could furnish,–but who have not yet acquired any capacity for the purer and more permanent happiness of a growing conformity to the Divine image in this world, and the enjoyment of eternal communion with God in the world to come. Elevated as such pursuits may be, and profound as is the homage of respect which the world is called upon, and readily consents to pay to them, yet, wherever they constitute the only portion that the soul seeks after, and occupy that place in the affections which God claims as His own, then they bear upon them the same impress of ungodliness which characterises the schemes of worldly aggrandisement, and may ultimately be traced to the very same principle.
(3) The same remark is applicable also to the man who, by the benevolence of his character and the irreproachable regularity of his life, has secured the worlds respect, and who builds with confidence on his many virtues as a sure foundation of hope for the future; for when such a man contrasts his own character with that of multitudes around him, it will be with feelings of self-complacency.
3. It would be easy, by entering on the detail of particular cases, to show how the principle in the text pervades all the business and the pleasures of an unregenerate world.
4. The sentiment is as foolish with regard to the sinner, as it is impious with respect to the Almighty; for as well might it be supposed that the movements of the material universe would remain undisturbed, though the principle that is essential to its stability were annihilated, as that an intelligent and moral creature could be permanently blessed, if released from the law of dependence on his Creator. (R. Gordon, D. D.)
Remover of boundaries
A title assumed by the Assyrian kings. They claimed to be king of kings, and lord paramount or superior. (B. Blake, B. D.)
Robbing treasure
Great conquerors are many times no better than great robbers. (Matthew Henry.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 13. Like a valiant man – “Strongly seated.” Twelve MSS. agree with the Keri in reading kabbir, without the aleph. And Sal. ben Melec and Kimchi thus explain it: “them who dwelled in a great and strong place I have brought down to the ground.”
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He saith, not only within himself, but before his courtiers and others.
By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; I owe all my successes to my own power, and valour, and wise conduct, and to no other god or man.
I have removed the bounds; I have invaded their lands, and added them to my own dominions, as this phrase is used, Pro 22:28; Hos 5:10.
Their treasures, Heb. their prepared things, their gold and silver, and other precious things, which they had long been preparing and laying in store.
I have put down; deprived of their former glory and power.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
13. I am prudentHe ascribeshis success to his own prudence, not to God’s providence.
removed the boundssetaside old, and substituted new boundaries of kingdoms at will. Acriminal act, as Jehovah Himself had appointed the boundaries of thenations (De 32:8).
treasures“hoardedtreasures” [HORSLEY].
put down . . . inhabitantslike, c.rather, “as a valiant man, I have brought down(from their seats) those seated” (namely, “onthrones” as in Psa 2:4;Psa 29:10; Psa 55:19).The Hebrew for “He that abideth,” is He thatsitteth on a throne); otherwise, “I have brought down(as captives into Assyria, which lay lower than Judea;therefore ‘brought down,‘ compare Isa 36:1;Isa 36:10), the inhabitants“[MAURER].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For he saith, by the strength of my hand I have done [it],…. Meaning either that by the power of his army, which was under his command, or by his own personal valour, he had subdued kings, taken their kingdoms and chief cities, and ascribes nothing to the power aud providence of God; and if such arrogance and haughtiness, in things of a civil nature, is an instance of vanity, and is resented by the Lord, then much more such conduct in things of a religious nature, when men ascribe regeneration, conversion, and salvation, to the power of their free will, and to the works of their hands, and not to the power and grace of God:
and by my wisdom, for I am prudent; attributing his conquests partly to his power, and partly to his skill and prudence in marshalling his army, making use of stratagems to decoy the enemy, and get an advantage of him; whereas strength and power, and so wisdom and prudence, are from the Lord; as he gives safety, victory, and salvation to kings, so he teaches their hands to war, and their fingers to fight; which they ought to acknowledge, and will, unless vain and proud:
and I have removed the bounds of the people; by subduing kingdoms, and adding them to his own, so that they were no more distinct governments; and by transplanting the inhabitants of them to other places, and making new colonies and settlements; and so the Targum,
“and I have removed the people from province to province:”
taking that to himself which belongs to God, who has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of men’s habitations:
and have robbed their treasures: laid up in palaces, temples, sepulchres, and private houses, for time to come, which are usually plundered when cities and towns are taken; the Targum renders it,
“their laudable cities:”
and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant [man]; from their greatness, from their seats of honour and dignity; or I have put down many inhabitants, as Jarchi, and reduced great numbers to a low and mean estate. The Targum is,
“I have brought down with strength they that dwell in fortified places;”
and so Aben Ezra and Kimchi explain it, they that dwell in a strong place or palace.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
When Jehovah had punished to such an extent that He could not go any further without destroying Israel – a result which would be opposed to His mercy and truth – His punishing would turn against the instrument of punishment, which would fall under the curse of all ungodly selfishness. “For he hath said, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my own wisdom; for I am prudent: and I removed the bounds of the nations, and I plundered their stores, and threw down rulers (Note: Thronende, lit., those who sat (on thrones).)
like a bull. And my hand extracted the wealth of the nations like a nest: and as men sweep up forsaken eggs, have I swept the whole earth; there was none that moved the wing, and opened the mouth, and chirped.” The futures may be taken most safely as regulated by the preterites, and used, like German imperfects, to express that which occurs not once merely, but several times. The second of these preterites, , is the only example of a poel of verbs ; possibly a mixed form from ( poel of ) and ( piel of ). The object to this, viz., athidoth ( chethib) or athudoth ( keri), is sometimes used in the sense of ; sometimes, as in this instance, in the sense of . According to the keri, the passage is to be rendered, “And I, a mighty one, threw down kings” (those sitting on thrones), cabbir being taken in the same sense as in Job 34:17, Job 34:24; Job 36:5. But the chethib c a’abbr is to be preferred as more significant, and not to be rendered “as a hero” (to which the Caph similitudinis is so little suitable, that it would be necessary to take it, as in Isa 13:6, as Caph veritatis ), but “as a bull,” ‘abbr as in Psa 68:31; Psa 22:13; Psa 50:13. A bull, as the excavations show, was an emblem of royalty among the Assyrians. In Isa 10:14, the more stringent Vav conv. is introduced before the third pers. fem. The Kingdoms of the nations are compared here to birds’ nests, which the Assyrian took for himself ( ‘ asaph , as in Hab 2:5); and their possessions to single eggs. The mother bird was away, so that there was not even a sign of resistance; and in the nest itself not one of the young birds moved a wing to defend itself, or opened its beak to scare the intruder away. Seb. Schmid has interpreted to correctly, “ nulla alam movet ad defendendum aut os aperit ad terrendum .” Thus proudly did Asshur look back upon its course of victory, and thus contemptuously did it look down upon the conquered kingdoms.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
13. For he hath said, By the strength of my hand I have done it. The Prophet again repeats the highly blasphemous words which the Assyrian uttered; for he ascribes to his power and wisdom all the victories which he obtained. By strength of hand he means vast armies collected out of various nations. Yet at the same time he boasts of being a warlike king, as those blusterers are wont to claim the praise of everything that was done under their direction, though they were enjoying the luxury and ease of a retired life. Afterwards he boasts that he was cautious and wary, to use an ordinary phrase of our own, ( J’ay este bien entendu et expert ,) I was very skillful and clever. But there can be no doubt whatever that he bestows this honorable appellation on the tricks and dishonest cunning by which he had gained advantage over his neighbors. For what are the stratagems of kings and princes? To disturb the peace by indirect methods, to invent pretences for quarrels, to sow the seeds of discord, and, in a word, by their artifices to level all distinctions.
I have removed the boundaries of the nations. This means, “I have extended the boundaries of my dominion, and have added other countries to my territories, so as to remove their boundary and limit.” Just as if we were to say that the King of France removed the boundaries of Brittany, Burgundy, Aquitaine, Provence, and other countries, when he united them to his own kingdom. He likewise adds, “that nothing was so secret or concealed as not to become his prey;” as if he had said that by his sagacity he drew the neighboring countries into his nets, fished their treasures, and brought into his possession all that lay concealed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(13) For he saith, By the strength of my hand . . .Another reproduction of the style of the royal inscriptions of Assyria. (Comp. Isa. 37:10-13.)
I have removed the bounds of the people.The practice has, of course, more or less characterised the conquerors of all ages in their attempts to merge independent nationalities into one great empire; but it was pursued more systematically by Assyria than by most others. To be a remover of boundaries and landmarks was the title in which an Assyrian king most exulted. (Comp. inscription of Rimmon-nirari, in Smiths Assyrian Discoveries, pp. 243, 244. Records of the Past, xi. 3).
I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man.Better, I have put down those that sat firmly. The Hebrew word for valiant man means primarily a bull, and then figuratively, as in Isa xxxiv, 7; Psa. 22:12, a mighty one. The fact that the bull appears so frequently in Assyrian monuments as a symbol of sovereignty, mates it probable that the word is used in that symbolic sense here. In Psa. 78:25, the mighty ones to whom it is applied are those of the host of heaven, the angels of God.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
13. In what he further says, the Assyrian is represented as acting in accordance with his proper character.
By the strength of my hand Being a successful great world-power, Assyria is seen as always confident of her strength.
I have done it All the verbs here are to be taken as expressing customary action the Greek and German imperfect tense. “I do it,” or “I am,” as a habit, as is customary with me, and in accordance with my ability and my character, doing it.
And I have removed Or, and I remove.
Have put down I bring down, as a mighty one, them that are on thrones.
Isa 10:13-14. For he saith, &c. From these to the 20th verse we have a more full exposition and confirmation of what had gone before; particularly, the pride of the Assyrian, and his vain boasting joined with itin these verses; a refutation thereof in the fifteenth verse; and the punishment ordained for him by God more fully set forth in Isa 10:16-19. This first period comprehends his insolent boasting of the greatness of his deeds, the prosperity of his empire, and the success of his warlike expeditions; ascribed by him to the prudence of his own counsels, and the valour and strength of his forces; but without any the least acknowledgment of any superior and over-ruling power. I have removed the bounds of the people, &c. refers to his causing the conquered people to pass from one province to another; and so the Chaldee renders it. The last clause in this verse may be read, I have put down many that were seated; that is to say, many of those who were seated in thrones or places of honour; princes, rulers, magistrates. Jarchi renders it, I have caused them to descend from the state of their sublimity. Another effect of power and wisdom, in which the Assyrian boasts himself, is, his hand had found as a nest the riches of the people, &c. The comparison is elegant; and nothing could more strongly or significantly describe the insolent boasting of the Assyrian. It is remarkable, that birds, after they have laid their eggs in their nests, are most diligent in their care of them; and if at any time they are obliged, through fear of the spoiler, to forsake them, they hover about their nests, and flutter around, moving their wings, and peeping, chirping, or lamenting; thus imitating the affections of the human mind. The prophet elegantly implies by this simile the extreme terror of this proud and oppressing king, which reigned in the minds of the conquered people; and we find that the mighty tyrants and conquerors of Assyria did spread such terror. See Joseph. Antiq. lib. ix. c. ult. and Lowth’s 12th Prelection.
Isa 10:13 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]:
Ver. 13. For he saith, By the strength of my hand, &c. ] Viva haec est istius Veiovis Latialis, hoc est Pontificis pictura, saith Scultetus – i.e., Here we have a lively picture of Antichrist, who speaketh great things and blasphemies, Rev 13:5 arrogates to himself all power and wisdom, disposeth of kingdoms at his pleasure robbeth their treasures, &c.
people = peoples.
For he saith: Isa 10:8, Isa 37:23, Isa 37:24, Deu 8:17, Eze 25:3, Eze 26:2, Eze 28:2-9, Eze 29:3, Dan 4:30, Amo 6:13, Hab 1:16
I have removed: 2Ki 15:29, 2Ki 17:6, 2Ki 17:24, 2Ki 18:11, 2Ki 18:32, 1Ch 5:26, Amo 5:27, Amo 6:1, Amo 6:2
robbed: 2Ki 16:8, 2Ki 18:15, Hos 13:15, Hos 13:16
a valiant man: or, many people
Reciprocal: Jdg 7:2 – Mine own 2Sa 17:12 – we will light 1Ki 20:3 – General 1Ki 20:10 – if the dust 2Ki 18:23 – I will deliver Job 31:25 – because Psa 9:6 – thou hast Psa 10:2 – The wicked Psa 37:7 – the man Psa 94:4 – boast Pro 1:13 – General Pro 16:19 – than Pro 28:11 – rich Isa 10:6 – will I give Isa 33:3 – General Isa 33:8 – he regardeth Isa 36:8 – and I Jer 9:23 – wise Jer 46:8 – I will go Jer 48:14 – We Eze 28:12 – full Eze 35:13 – with Dan 8:4 – but Hos 12:8 – I have Oba 1:6 – are the
Isa 10:13-14. For he saith, &c. From hence to the twentieth verse we have a more full exposition and confirmation of what had gone before, particularly the pride of the Assyrian and his vain boasting in these verses; a refutation thereof in Isa 10:15; and the punishment ordained for him by God, in Isa 10:16-19. By the strength of my hand I have done it, &c. Here the prophet sets forth his insolent boasting of the greatness of his deeds, the prosperity of his empire, and the success of his warlike expeditions, all which are ascribed by him to the prudence of his own counsels, and the valour and strength of his forces; but without any the least acknowledgment of any superior and overruling power. I have removed the bounds of the people I have invaded their lands, and added them to my own dominions, Pro 22:28. And have robbed their treasures Hebrew, , their prepared things, their gold and silver, and other precious things, which they had been long preparing and laying up in store. And I have put down the inhabitants Deprived them of their former glory and power. And my hand hath found as a nest As one finds young birds in a nest; and as one gathereth eggs Which the dam hath left in her nest; have I gathered all the earth All the riches of the earth: an hyperbole not unusual in the mouths of such boasters. The comparison is elegant; and nothing could more strongly or significantly describe the insolent boasting of the Assyrian. It is remarkable, that birds, after they have laid their eggs in their nests, are most diligent in their care of them; and if, at any time, they are obliged, for fear of the spoiler, to forsake them, they hover about their nests, and flutter around, moving their wings, and peeping, chirping, or lamenting; thus imitating the affections of the human mind. The prophet elegantly implies by this simile the extreme dread of this proud and oppressing king which reigned in the minds of the conquered people, and we find that the mighty tyrants and conquerors of Asia did spread such terror. See Lowths Twelfth Prelection, and Dodd.
Assyria, again personified (cf. Isa 10:8-11), manifested arrogance and haughtiness by boasting that all her victories were the result of her own strength and intelligence (cf. Rom 1:19-21). She felt, as many nations have, including Nazi Germany, that she was superior and therefore had the right to determine the fates of inferiors. She had a right to steal from others who could not or would not defend themselves. Changing the boundaries of conquered nations was an integral part of Assyrian imperial practice, along with the relocation of captives. [Note: Watts, p. 150.]
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)