Isaiah 10:26

Authorized King James Version

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And the LORD of hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and as his rod was upon the sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt.

Original Language Analysis

וְעוֹרֵ֨ר shall stir up H5782
וְעוֹרֵ֨ר shall stir up
Strong's: H5782
Word #: 1 of 15
to wake (literally or figuratively)
עָלָ֜יו H5921
עָלָ֜יו
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 2 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְהוָ֤ה And the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֤ה And the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָאוֹת֙ of hosts H6635
צְבָאוֹת֙ of hosts
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 4 of 15
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
שׁ֔וֹט a scourge H7752
שׁ֔וֹט a scourge
Strong's: H7752
Word #: 5 of 15
a lash (literally or figuratively)
כְּמַכַּ֥ת for him according to the slaughter H4347
כְּמַכַּ֥ת for him according to the slaughter
Strong's: H4347
Word #: 6 of 15
a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence
מִדְיָ֖ן of Midian H4080
מִדְיָ֖ן of Midian
Strong's: H4080
Word #: 7 of 15
midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants
בְּצ֣וּר at the rock H6697
בְּצ֣וּר at the rock
Strong's: H6697
Word #: 8 of 15
properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)
עוֹרֵ֑ב of Oreb H6159
עוֹרֵ֑ב of Oreb
Strong's: H6159
Word #: 9 of 15
oreb, the name of a midianite and of the cliff near the jordan
וּמַטֵּ֙הוּ֙ and as his rod H4294
וּמַטֵּ֙הוּ֙ and as his rod
Strong's: H4294
Word #: 10 of 15
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 11 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַיָּ֔ם was upon the sea H3220
הַיָּ֔ם was upon the sea
Strong's: H3220
Word #: 12 of 15
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
וּנְשָׂא֖וֹ so shall he lift it up H5375
וּנְשָׂא֖וֹ so shall he lift it up
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 13 of 15
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
בְּדֶ֥רֶךְ after the manner H1870
בְּדֶ֥רֶךְ after the manner
Strong's: H1870
Word #: 14 of 15
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 #: 15 of 15
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

Analysis & Commentary

God promises to stir up a scourge against Assyria like He did against Midian (Gideon's victory, Judges 7) and Egypt (Red Sea crossing). The 'rod upon the sea' recalls Moses's staff dividing the Red Sea. These historical parallels remind Israel that the same God who delivered them from previous oppressors will deliver from Assyria. The method emphasizes divine intervention—not human military might but miraculous acts. This demonstrates God's consistency—His character and power remain unchanged across generations.

Historical Context

Fulfilled when God's angel destroyed Sennacherib's army (701 BC)—a supernatural deliverance requiring no human military action, just like Gideon and the Exodus. The comparison to Midian and Egypt became proverbial—when God acts, armies are irrelevant. These historical examples strengthened Hezekiah's faith to resist Assyria, trusting God rather than surrendering or seeking foreign alliances.

Questions for Reflection

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