Isaiah Chapter 10 · Verse 14
And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.
Original Language Analysis
וַתִּמְצָ֨א
hath found
H4672
וַתִּמְצָ֨א
hath found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
1 of 19
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
כַקֵּ֤ן׀
as a nest
H7064
כַקֵּ֤ן׀
as a nest
Strong's:
H7064
Word #:
2 of 19
a nest (as fixed), sometimes including the nestlings; figuratively, a chamber or dwelling
יָדִי֙
And my hand
H3027
יָדִי֙
And my hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
3 of 19
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
לְחֵ֣יל
the riches
H2428
לְחֵ֣יל
the riches
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
4 of 19
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
הָֽעַמִּ֔ים
of the people
H5971
הָֽעַמִּ֔ים
of the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 19
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אָסָ֑פְתִּי
and as one gathereth
H622
אָסָ֑פְתִּי
and as one gathereth
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
6 of 19
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אָסָ֑פְתִּי
and as one gathereth
H622
אָסָ֑פְתִּי
and as one gathereth
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
12 of 19
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָיָה֙
H1961
הָיָה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
14 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
נֹדֵ֣ד
and there was none that moved
H5074
נֹדֵ֣ד
and there was none that moved
Strong's:
H5074
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, to wave to and fro (rarely to flap up and down); figuratively, to rove, flee, or (causatively) to drive away
כָּנָ֔ף
the wing
H3671
כָּנָ֔ף
the wing
Strong's:
H3671
Word #:
16 of 19
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna
Historical Context
Ancient warfare regularly involved systematic plundering of conquered territories. Assyrian records boast of massive tribute extracted from vassal states. The policy of mass deportation and resettlement broke national resistance, making rebellion seem futile. This economic dominance—combined with military superiority and psychological warfare—created the helplessness Isaiah describes. Yet God had raised up Assyria as His 'rod of anger' (v.5), and would break that rod when His purposes were accomplished (v.12).
Questions for Reflection
- How does attributing achievements to 'my hand' reveal a heart that has forgotten God's providence?
- What does God's use of Assyria teach about how He can accomplish His purposes through ungodly instruments?
Analysis & Commentary
The Assyrian boasts of effortless plunder: 'My hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people.' Like gathering unguarded eggs, he collected wealth without resistance. 'None moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped'—no bird defended its nest; no nation resisted his advance. This metaphor of complete helplessness before predatory power reveals both the extent of Assyrian dominance and the king's inflated self-assessment. He attributes this success entirely to his own hand, never acknowledging the divine hand that permitted—and would soon stop—his conquests.