Isaiah 10:8

8 For it says, "Are not my princes all kings?

Isaiah 10:8 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 10:8

For he saith, [are] not my princes altogether kings?
] Meaning either the kings which he had conquered, which were become his princes and subjects; or rather, such were the greatness and glory of his nobles, that they were equal in their riches and dominions to kings, and so were able to furnish him with men and money for such an expedition he had in his heart to undertake, even to conquer and subdue all the nations of the earth: and this he said either to his people, boasting of his grandeur; or in his heart, as Kimchi observes, to encourage himself; or rather more openly before others, in order to discourage and inject terror into the nations he meant to destroy, and particularly the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Isaiah 10:8 In-Context

6 I send it against a godless nation And commission it against the people of My fury To capture booty and to seize plunder, And to trample them down like mud in the streets.

7 Yet it does not so intend, Nor does it plan so in its heart, But rather it is its purpose to destroy And to cut off many nations.

8 For it says, "Are not my princes all kings?

9 "Is not Calno like Carchemish, Or Hamath like Arpad, Or Samaria like Damascus?

10 "As my hand has reached to the kingdoms of the idols, Whose graven images were greater than those of Jerusalem and Samaria,

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "altogether"