Isaiah Chapter 10 · Verse 24

Authorized King James Version

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Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt.

Original Language Analysis

לָכֵ֗ן H3651
לָכֵ֗ן
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 1 of 19
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כֹּֽה H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's: H3541
Word #: 2 of 19
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
אָמַ֞ר Therefore thus saith H559
אָמַ֞ר Therefore thus saith
Strong's: H559
Word #: 3 of 19
to say (used with great latitude)
אֲדֹנָ֤י the Lord H136
אֲדֹנָ֤י the Lord
Strong's: H136
Word #: 4 of 19
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
יְהוִה֙ H3068
יְהוִה֙
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 5 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֔וֹת of hosts H6635
צְבָא֔וֹת of hosts
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 6 of 19
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 7 of 19
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּירָ֥א be not afraid H3372
תִּירָ֥א be not afraid
Strong's: H3372
Word #: 8 of 19
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
עַמִּ֛י O my people H5971
עַמִּ֛י O my people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 9 of 19
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יֹשֵׁ֥ב that dwellest H3427
יֹשֵׁ֥ב that dwellest
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 10 of 19
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
צִיּ֖וֹן in Zion H6726
צִיּ֖וֹן in Zion
Strong's: H6726
Word #: 11 of 19
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
מֵֽאַשּׁ֑וּר of the Assyrian H804
מֵֽאַשּׁ֑וּר of the Assyrian
Strong's: H804
Word #: 12 of 19
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
בַּשֵּׁ֣בֶט thee with a rod H7626
בַּשֵּׁ֣בֶט thee with a rod
Strong's: H7626
Word #: 13 of 19
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
יַכֶּ֔כָּה he shall smite H5221
יַכֶּ֔כָּה he shall smite
Strong's: H5221
Word #: 14 of 19
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
וּמַטֵּ֥הוּ his staff H4294
וּמַטֵּ֥הוּ his staff
Strong's: H4294
Word #: 15 of 19
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
יִשָּֽׂא and shall lift up H5375
יִשָּֽׂא and shall lift up
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 16 of 19
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
עָלֶ֖יךָ H5921
עָלֶ֖יךָ
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 17 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בְּדֶ֥רֶךְ against thee after the manner H1870
בְּדֶ֥רֶךְ against thee after the manner
Strong's: H1870
Word #: 18 of 19
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
מִצְרָֽיִם׃ of Egypt H4714
מִצְרָֽיִם׃ of Egypt
Strong's: H4714
Word #: 19 of 19
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

Analysis & Commentary

Despite Assyrian threat, God commands His people: 'be not afraid.' The prohibition against fear appears throughout Scripture when God promises deliverance. The address 'O my people that dwellest in Zion' emphasizes covenant relationship—they're God's people with His presence among them (Zion). Though Assyria will 'smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt,' these are temporary afflictions. The Egyptian comparison recalls bondage from which God delivered them—He can do it again.

Historical Context

Delivered before Sennacherib's invasion (701 BC) when the Assyrian threat seemed overwhelming. Despite 185,000 troops besieging Jerusalem, God commanded fearlessness. The fulfillment vindicated this command—God destroyed the army in one night. The Egyptian comparison reminded them of God's past deliverance, encouraging faith that He'd deliver again. Faith in God's character and past works enables courage in present threats.

Questions for Reflection