Isaiah 10:4
Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Original Language Analysis
בִּלְתִּ֤י
Without me they shall
H1115
בִּלְתִּ֤י
Without me they shall
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
כָרַע֙
bow down
H3766
כָרַע֙
bow down
Strong's:
H3766
Word #:
2 of 15
to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate
תַּ֣חַת
H8478
תַּ֣חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
3 of 15
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
וְתַ֥חַת
H8478
וְתַ֥חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
5 of 15
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
יִפֹּ֑לוּ
and they shall fall
H5307
יִפֹּ֑לוּ
and they shall fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
7 of 15
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁ֣ב
is not turned away
H7725
שָׁ֣ב
is not turned away
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
11 of 15
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אַפּ֔וֹ
For all this his anger
H639
אַפּ֔וֹ
For all this his anger
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
וְע֖וֹד
H5750
וְע֖וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
Cross References
Isaiah 5:25Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.Isaiah 9:12The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.Jeremiah 37:10For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained but wounded men among them, yet should they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this city with fire.Deuteronomy 32:30How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?
Historical Context
Literally fulfilled: when Samaria fell (722 BC), survivors were deported as prisoners to Assyria (2 Kings 17:6), while many died in battle or siege. Similarly, when Judah was judged (586 BC), survivors went to Babylon as captives while multitudes died in Jerusalem's destruction. The choice between captivity or death characterized Assyrian and Babylonian conquest policies—submission meant slavery, resistance meant death.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the binary choice (captivity or death) illustrate the seriousness of divine judgment?
- What does the repeated refrain teach about God's patience and justice working together?
- How can we ensure we respond to God's warnings before judgment becomes inevitable?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The judgment is inescapable: they will either bow among prisoners or fall among the slain. 'Bow down under the prisoners' suggests capture and enslavement. 'Fall under the slain' indicates death in battle. These are the only two options—survival means humiliation and slavery; resistance means death. The fifth repetition of the refrain emphasizes God's persistent anger and extended hand. Despite comprehensive judgment warnings, impenitence continues, necessitating the foretold destruction.