Isaiah Chapter 10 · Verse 15

Authorized King James Version

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Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.

Original Language Analysis

הֲיִתְפָּאֵר֙ boast H6286
הֲיִתְפָּאֵר֙ boast
Strong's: H6286
Word #: 1 of 18
to gleam, i.e., (causatively) embellish; figuratively, to boast; also to explain (i.e., make clear) oneself; to shake a tree
הַגַּרְזֶ֔ן Shall the axe H1631
הַגַּרְזֶ֔ן Shall the axe
Strong's: H1631
Word #: 2 of 18
an axe
עַ֖ל H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 3 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַחֹצֵ֣ב itself against him that heweth H2672
הַחֹצֵ֣ב itself against him that heweth
Strong's: H2672
Word #: 4 of 18
to cut or carve (wood, stone or other material); by implication, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave
בּ֑וֹ H0
בּ֑וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 5 of 18
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 6 of 18
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִתְגַּדֵּ֤ל magnify H1431
יִתְגַּדֵּ֤ל magnify
Strong's: H1431
Word #: 7 of 18
to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)
הַמַּשּׂוֹר֙ therewith or shall the saw H4883
הַמַּשּׂוֹר֙ therewith or shall the saw
Strong's: H4883
Word #: 8 of 18
a saw
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 9 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כְּהָנִ֥יף itself against him that shaketh H5130
כְּהָנִ֥יף itself against him that shaketh
Strong's: H5130
Word #: 10 of 18
to quiver (i.e., vibrate up and down, or rock to and fro); used in a great variety of applications (including sprinkling, beckoning, rubbing, bastinad
כְּהָנִ֥יף itself against him that shaketh H5130
כְּהָנִ֥יף itself against him that shaketh
Strong's: H5130
Word #: 11 of 18
to quiver (i.e., vibrate up and down, or rock to and fro); used in a great variety of applications (including sprinkling, beckoning, rubbing, bastinad
שֵׁ֙בֶט֙ it as if the rod H7626
שֵׁ֙בֶט֙ it as if the rod
Strong's: H7626
Word #: 12 of 18
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 13 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כְּהָרִ֥ים itself against them that lift it up H7311
כְּהָרִ֥ים itself against them that lift it up
Strong's: H7311
Word #: 14 of 18
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
כְּהָרִ֥ים itself against them that lift it up H7311
כְּהָרִ֥ים itself against them that lift it up
Strong's: H7311
Word #: 15 of 18
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
מַטֶּ֖ה or as if the staff H4294
מַטֶּ֖ה or as if the staff
Strong's: H4294
Word #: 16 of 18
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
לֹא H3808
לֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 17 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עֵֽץ׃ itself as if it were no wood H6086
עֵֽץ׃ itself as if it were no wood
Strong's: H6086
Word #: 18 of 18
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

Analysis & Commentary

God uses devastating analogies to expose Assyria's folly. Can an axe boast against the one wielding it? Can a saw magnify itself against the sawyer? Can a staff and rod wield the one lifting them? The absurdity is obvious—tools don't control those who use them. Assyria is God's tool, yet boasts as if autonomous. This illustrates the creator-creature distinction—humanity, and especially nations, are instruments in God's hands. To boast against God is ultimate folly.

Historical Context

Applied to Assyria but universally applicable to all human pride. Throughout history, nations and individuals forget their dependence on God, claiming autonomous glory. Nebuchadnezzar learned this lesson through humiliation (Daniel 4). Every empire that has boasted against God—Assyria, Babylon, Rome, and modern powers—eventually falls. The pattern validates this principle: creatures cannot successfully defy their Creator.

Questions for Reflection