Isaiah 10:9
Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus?
Original Language Analysis
הֲלֹ֥א
H3808
הֲלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כַּלְנ֑וֹ
Is not Calno
H3641
כַּלְנ֑וֹ
Is not Calno
Strong's:
H3641
Word #:
3 of 11
calneh or calno, a place in the assyrian empire
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
4 of 11
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
8 of 11
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
2 Kings 16:9And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.2 Chronicles 35:20After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.Jeremiah 46:2Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaoh-necho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah.Genesis 10:10And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
Historical Context
Each city mentioned had historical significance. Carchemish on the Euphrates fell to Assyria in 717 BC. Hamath and Arpad in Syria were conquered by 720 BC. Samaria, capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, fell in 722 BC after a three-year siege. Damascus fell in 732 BC. This chronological litany of defeat would have terrified Judah—these were powerful kingdoms, all now subservient to Assyria. Archaeological evidence confirms Assyrian dominance over these territories during Isaiah's ministry.
Questions for Reflection
- How do past victories sometimes blind us to our true limitations and God's sovereign control?
- What is the difference between God's people (Jerusalem) and idolatrous nations that makes His protection certain?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Assyrian recounts his conquests with mocking questions, listing cities that fell before his advance. Calno (Calneh), Carchemish, Hamath, Arpad, Samaria, and Damascus—each represents a defeated kingdom. The rhetorical structure implies inevitability: 'If these great cities fell, why should Jerusalem stand?' Yet the king fails to recognize that Yahweh allowed these conquests as judgment on idolatrous nations. Jerusalem's God is not like the impotent idols of conquered peoples. This prideful comparison sets up the dramatic reversal in verses 12-19.