Isaiah 10:18
And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standardbearer fainteth.
Original Language Analysis
וּכְב֤וֹד
the glory
H3519
וּכְב֤וֹד
the glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
1 of 10
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
יַעְרוֹ֙
of his forest
H3293
יַעְרוֹ֙
of his forest
Strong's:
H3293
Word #:
2 of 10
a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)
וְכַרְמִלּ֔וֹ
and of his fruitful field
H3759
וְכַרְמִלּ֔וֹ
and of his fruitful field
Strong's:
H3759
Word #:
3 of 10
a planted field (garden, orchard, vineyard or park); by implication, garden produce
מִנֶּ֥פֶשׁ
both soul
H5315
מִנֶּ֥פֶשׁ
both soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
5 of 10
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בָּשָׂ֖ר
and body
H1320
בָּשָׂ֖ר
and body
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
6 of 10
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
יְכַלֶּ֑ה
And shall consume
H3615
יְכַלֶּ֑ה
And shall consume
Strong's:
H3615
Word #:
7 of 10
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
וְהָיָ֖ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֖ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
8 of 10
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Historical Context
After Sennacherib's army was destroyed (701 BC), Assyria never recovered its former dominance. Though it persisted another century, its power was broken. Final destruction came in 612 BC when Babylon and Medes conquered Nineveh. Archaeological excavations reveal massive destruction—the great Assyrian empire reduced to ruins. What once seemed invincible became so insignificant 'a child might write' the survivors' count.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God humble the apparently invincible and reduce the great to insignificance?
- What does this comprehensive judgment teach about the folly of trusting in human power?
- How should we view contemporary powers in light of God's track record of humbling empires?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Assyria's glory—forest and fruitful field—will be consumed so thoroughly that what remains can be counted by a child. The double metaphor (forest and fruitful field) suggests both wild strength and cultivated prosperity will be destroyed. The phrase 'both soul and body' indicates comprehensive judgment affecting everything. The hyperbole of remnants being countable by a child emphasizes near-total destruction. This illustrates that no human glory can stand against divine judgment.