Isaiah 10:7
Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.
Original Language Analysis
וְהוּא֙
H1931
וְהוּא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
1 of 15
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כֵ֣ן
H3651
כֵ֣ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
3 of 15
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יְדַמֶּ֔ה
Howbeit he meaneth
H1819
יְדַמֶּ֔ה
Howbeit he meaneth
Strong's:
H1819
Word #:
4 of 15
to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider
בִּלְבָב֔וֹ
not so neither doth his heart
H3824
בִּלְבָב֔וֹ
not so neither doth his heart
Strong's:
H3824
Word #:
5 of 15
the heart (as the most interior organ)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כֵ֣ן
H3651
כֵ֣ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יַחְשֹׁ֑ב
think
H2803
יַחְשֹׁ֑ב
think
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בִּלְבָב֔וֹ
not so neither doth his heart
H3824
בִּלְבָב֔וֹ
not so neither doth his heart
Strong's:
H3824
Word #:
11 of 15
the heart (as the most interior organ)
וּלְהַכְרִ֥ית
and cut off
H3772
וּלְהַכְרִ֥ית
and cut off
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
12 of 15
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
גּוֹיִ֖ם
nations
H1471
גּוֹיִ֖ם
nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
13 of 15
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
Cross References
Historical Context
Assyrian annals boast of conquests, tribute, and imperial glory—never acknowledging serving Israel's God. Sennacherib's inscriptions glorify Assyrian gods and his own prowess. Kings like Tiglath-Pileser III and Sargon II thought they built empire through military superiority, unaware they fulfilled prophecy. This pattern recurs throughout Scripture—Cyrus, Nebuchadnezzar, Pilate—all unwittingly serve God's plan while pursuing their own aims.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God accomplish His purposes through people who don't acknowledge Him?
- What does this teach about divine sovereignty working through human free agency?
- How might God be using current events to accomplish purposes we don't yet understand?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Despite being God's instrument, Assyria doesn't recognize this role. 'Howbeit he meaneth not so' indicates Assyria's ignorance of God's purposes. 'Neither doth his heart think so' shows their intentions differ from God's. 'His heart is to destroy and cut off nations not a few' reveals Assyria's imperial ambition—they seek conquest for glory and wealth, not to serve God's justice. This demonstrates how God's sovereignty works through secondary causes—agents act from their own motives while accomplishing God's purposes.