Isaiah 28:2
Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
In 722 BC, Assyrian king Shalmaneser V besieged Samaria; his successor Sargon II completed the conquest. Assyrian annals boast of deporting 27,290 Israelites and destroying cities. The Northern Kingdom ceased to exist, never restored. This fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy of overwhelming judgment. For Judah watching their sister kingdom fall, this warned of similar fate if they persisted in sin (which came via Babylon in 586 BC). God uses even pagan empires as instruments of His sovereign purposes (Habakkuk 1:5-11), though He later judges them for exceeding His mandate (Isaiah 10:12-19).
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that God sovereignly uses even hostile powers for His purposes affect your view of current events?
- What does Assyria's role as God's 'mighty and strong one' teach about divine judgment sometimes coming through natural consequences of sin?
- How should the suddenness and totality of Samaria's fall warn against presuming on God's patience?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand. God's judgment against prideful Ephraim comes through a powerful agent. The Lord hath a mighty and strong one (chazaq ve'amits la-Adonai, חָזָק וְאַמִּץ לַאדֹנָי, literally "a strong and mighty one belonging to the Lord") refers to Assyria, God's instrument of judgment (Isaiah 10:5 calls Assyria "the rod of mine anger"). Though Assyria doesn't know it, they serve God's purposes.
Three metaphors depict unstoppable devastation: tempest of hail (zerem barad, זֶרֶם בָּרָד)—destructive storm; destroying storm (sa'ar qetev, שַׂעַר קָטֶב)—whirlwind of ruin; flood of mighty waters overflowing (zerem mayim kabbirim shofim, זֶרֶם מַיִם כַּבִּירִים שֹׁטְפִים)—overwhelming deluge. The triple imagery emphasizes total, irresistible destruction. Shall cast down to the earth with the hand (hiniach la'arets beyad, הִנִּיחַ לָאָרֶץ בְּיָד) means forcibly thrown down—violent conquest leaving the proud city prostrate in the dust.