Isaiah 37:26
Hast thou not heard long ago, how I have done it; and of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities into ruinous heaps.
Original Language Analysis
הֲלֽוֹא
H3808
הֲלֽוֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמַ֤עְתָּ
Hast thou not heard
H8085
שָׁמַ֤עְתָּ
Hast thou not heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 16
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
לְמֵֽרָחוֹק֙
long ago
H7350
לְמֵֽרָחוֹק֙
long ago
Strong's:
H7350
Word #:
3 of 16
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
אוֹתָ֣הּ
H853
אוֹתָ֣הּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עָשִׂ֔יתִי
how I have done
H6213
עָשִׂ֔יתִי
how I have done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
5 of 16
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מִ֥ימֵי
times
H3117
מִ֥ימֵי
times
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
6 of 16
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
קֶ֖דֶם
it and of ancient
H6924
קֶ֖דֶם
it and of ancient
Strong's:
H6924
Word #:
7 of 16
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
וִיצַרְתִּ֑יהָ
that I have formed
H3335
וִיצַרְתִּ֑יהָ
that I have formed
Strong's:
H3335
Word #:
8 of 16
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
עַתָּ֣ה
H6258
הֲבֵאתִ֔יהָ
it now have I brought
H935
הֲבֵאתִ֔יהָ
it now have I brought
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
10 of 16
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וּתְהִ֗י
H1961
וּתְהִ֗י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
11 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְהַשְׁא֛וֹת
it to pass that thou shouldest be to lay waste
H7582
לְהַשְׁא֛וֹת
it to pass that thou shouldest be to lay waste
Strong's:
H7582
Word #:
12 of 16
to rush; by implication, to desolate
גַּלִּ֥ים
heaps
H1530
גַּלִּ֥ים
heaps
Strong's:
H1530
Word #:
13 of 16
something rolled, i.e., a heap of stone or dung (plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of water (plural waves)
נִצִּ֖ים
into ruinous
H5327
נִצִּ֖ים
into ruinous
Strong's:
H5327
Word #:
14 of 16
properly, to go forth, i.e., (by implication) to be expelled, and (consequently) desolate; causatively, to lay waste; also (specifically), to quarrel
Cross References
Acts 2:23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:1 Peter 2:8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.Isaiah 10:15Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.
Historical Context
This theology appears throughout Scripture—God raising and lowering nations according to His purposes (Daniel 2:21). Assyria was God's "rod of anger" against unfaithful Israel.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing God's sovereignty over all history humble our pride?
- What does it mean that even pagan success serves God's ultimate purposes?
- How should we understand our own achievements in light of God as ultimate cause?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God's response "Hast thou not heard?" begins His rebuke. The revelation "long ago" and "of ancient times" shows that Assyria's success wasn't their achievement but God's sovereign plan. "I have formed it" and "now have I brought it to pass" reveals God as the actual cause of Assyrian military victories. This demonstrates crucial theology: God uses even pagan nations as instruments (Isaiah 10:5-6). What Assyria claimed as their power was actually God's sovereign orchestration. Pride consists of taking credit for what God alone accomplished.