Isaiah 10:11
Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?
Original Language Analysis
הֲלֹ֗א
H3808
הֲלֹ֗א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 9
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֶעֱשֶׂ֥ה
Shall I not as I have done
H6213
אֶעֱשֶׂ֥ה
Shall I not as I have done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
3 of 9
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְלֶאֱלִילֶ֑יהָ
and her idols
H457
וְלֶאֱלִילֶ֑יהָ
and her idols
Strong's:
H457
Word #:
5 of 9
good for nothing, by analogy vain or vanity; specifically an idol
כֵּ֛ן
H3651
כֵּ֛ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
אֶעֱשֶׂ֥ה
Shall I not as I have done
H6213
אֶעֱשֶׂ֥ה
Shall I not as I have done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
7 of 9
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Historical Context
Samaria fell in 722 BC; Sennacherib threatened Jerusalem in 701 BC. During that 21-year period, Assyria seemed invincible. The northern kingdom's destruction appeared to validate the Assyrian's theology. Yet when 185,000 Assyrian soldiers died in one night (Isaiah 37:36), divine sovereignty was vindicated. The Assyrian's question haunts human history: militarily inferior powers shouldn't survive against superpower aggression. Yet God's purposes, not military might, determine outcomes.
Questions for Reflection
- When has seemingly inevitable defeat been reversed by God's intervention in your life or in history?
- How does God's defense of Jerusalem (for a time) despite their idolatry demonstrate His covenant faithfulness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Assyrian's concluding threat: 'Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?' The question expects affirmative answer, yet proves tragically wrong. The fatal flaw: Jerusalem and her idols were NOT equal to Samaria and her idols. While both kingdoms had lapsed into idolatry, Jerusalem housed the temple of the living God. Yahweh would indeed judge Judah's idolatry (later through Babylon), but not through Assyria—and not yet. The Assyrian failed to understand that God's timing, not human power, determines historical outcomes.