Isaiah 10:7

7 But he ¹does not so intend, and his heart does not so think; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few;

Isaiah 10:7 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 10:7

Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so,
&c.] His purposes, intentions, and thoughts, were not as the Lord's; he did not imagine that he was only the rod of his anger, and the staff of his indignation, a minister of his wrath, and the executioner of his vengeance; he thought he was his own lord and master, and acted by his own power, and according to his own will, and was not under the direction and restraints of another; his intention was not to chastise and correct the people of the Jews, but utterly to destroy them, and not them only, but many other nations; as follows: but [it is] in his heart to destroy and cut off nations, not a few;
not the nation of the Jews only, but many others, and so establish an universal monarchy; and what flushed him with hope and expectation of success were the magnificence of his princes, and the conquests he had already made.

Isaiah 10:7 In-Context

5 Ah, Assyria, the rod of my anger; the staff in their hands is my fury!

6 Against a godless nation I send him, and against the people of my wrath I command him, to take spoil and seize plunder, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

7 But he does not so intend, and his heart does not so think; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few;

8 for he says: “Are not my commanders all kings?

9 Is not Calno like Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria like Damascus?

Cross References

• 1. 10:7 [Mic. 4:12]