Isaiah Chapter 10 · Verse 12

Authorized King James Version

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Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.

Original Language Analysis

וְהָיָ֗ה H1961
וְהָיָ֗ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 2 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְבַצַּ֤ע hath performed H1214
יְבַצַּ֤ע hath performed
Strong's: H1214
Word #: 3 of 21
to break off, i.e., (usually) plunder; figuratively, to finish, or (intransitively) stop
אֲדֹנָי֙ Wherefore it shall come to pass that when the Lord H136
אֲדֹנָי֙ Wherefore it shall come to pass that when the Lord
Strong's: H136
Word #: 4 of 21
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 5 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 6 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֔הוּ his whole work H4639
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֔הוּ his whole work
Strong's: H4639
Word #: 7 of 21
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
בְּהַ֥ר upon mount H2022
בְּהַ֥ר upon mount
Strong's: H2022
Word #: 8 of 21
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
צִיּ֖וֹן Zion H6726
צִיּ֖וֹן Zion
Strong's: H6726
Word #: 9 of 21
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
וּבִירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם and on Jerusalem H3389
וּבִירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם and on Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 10 of 21
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
אֶפְקֹ֗ד I will punish H6485
אֶפְקֹ֗ד I will punish
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 11 of 21
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 12 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פְּרִי the fruit H6529
פְּרִי the fruit
Strong's: H6529
Word #: 13 of 21
fruit (literally or figuratively)
גֹ֙דֶל֙ of the stout H1433
גֹ֙דֶל֙ of the stout
Strong's: H1433
Word #: 14 of 21
magnitude (literally or figuratively)
לְבַ֣ב heart H3824
לְבַ֣ב heart
Strong's: H3824
Word #: 15 of 21
the heart (as the most interior organ)
מֶֽלֶךְ of the king H4428
מֶֽלֶךְ of the king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 16 of 21
a king
אַשּׁ֔וּר of Assyria H804
אַשּׁ֔וּר of Assyria
Strong's: H804
Word #: 17 of 21
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
וְעַל H5921
וְעַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 18 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
תִּפְאֶ֖רֶת and the glory H8597
תִּפְאֶ֖רֶת and the glory
Strong's: H8597
Word #: 19 of 21
ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)
ר֥וּם of his high H7312
ר֥וּם of his high
Strong's: H7312
Word #: 20 of 21
(literally) elevation or (figuratively) elation
עֵינָֽיו׃ looks H5869
עֵינָֽיו׃ looks
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 21 of 21
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

Analysis & Commentary

This verse promises future judgment on Assyria itself. 'When the Lord hath performed his whole work' indicates God will complete His purpose of disciplining Israel/Judah first. Then He will 'punish the fruit of the stout heart'—Assyria's pride. 'The glory of his high looks' refers to arrogant boasting. Being God's instrument doesn't excuse Assyria's wickedness. This demonstrates God's justice—He judges both His people's sin and their oppressors' pride. Instruments of judgment are themselves judged.

Historical Context

Fulfilled when Assyria fell to Babylon (612 BC). After God used Assyria to discipline Israel (722 BC) and Judah (701 BC), He destroyed Assyria for its cruelty and pride. Nineveh's destruction was so complete that its location was lost for centuries. Isaiah 37:36-38 describes Sennacherib's army's destruction and his assassination—initial fulfillment before Assyria's final collapse. God's judgments are comprehensive and sequential.

Questions for Reflection