Isaiah 10:15
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
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
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)
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),
Cross References
Isaiah 45:9Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?Isaiah 10:5O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.Isaiah 29:16Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?Ezekiel 28:9Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I am God? but thou shalt be a man, and no God, in the hand of him that slayeth thee.
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
- How do the tool analogies help us understand our relationship to God as His instruments?
- In what ways do we sometimes act as if we're autonomous rather than dependent on God?
- How does remembering we're tools in God's hands produce both humility and purpose?
Related Resources
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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.