Isaiah 10:14

14 My hand reached as into a nest to seize the wealth of the nations. Like one gathering abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth. No wing fluttered, no beak opened or chirped.’”

Isaiah 10:14 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 10:14

And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people,
&c.] With that ease as a man finds a nest of birds, and takes them: and as one gathereth eggs [that are] left;
by the bird, who not sitting upon them, there is none to protect them; whereas, when they are sat upon by the bird, she will flutter with her wings, and strike with her bill, and preserve them as well as she can: have I gathered all the earth;
the kingdoms and inhabitants of it, there being none to resist, or that dared to do it, as follows: and there was none that moved the wing;
as a bird will do, when its young or eggs are taken away from it: or opened the mouth, or peeped;
chattered, clucked, or expressed any grief, uneasiness, or resentment; the Targum is,

``that opened his mouth, and spoke a word.''

Isaiah 10:14 In-Context

12 So when the Lord has completed all His work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, He will say, “I will punish the king of Assyria for the fruit of his arrogant heart and the proud look in his eyes.

13 For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, for I am clever. I have removed the boundaries of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their rulers.

14 My hand reached as into a nest to seize the wealth of the nations. Like one gathering abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth. No wing fluttered, no beak opened or chirped.’”

15 Does an axe raise itself above the one who swings it? Does a saw boast over him who saws with it? It would be like a rod waving the one who lifts it, or a staff lifting him who is not wood!

16 Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts will send a wasting disease among Assyria’s stout warriors, and under his pomp will be kindled a fire like a burning flame.