The Prophet and His Day: Isaiah 1-39 - Free Bible Commentary

10:6 “a godless nation. . .the people of my fury” Oh, my, this refers to the nation of Israel (cf. 9:17,19)!This same phrase is used of Israel in 19:17; 32:6. What irony, the covenant people are called “godless”and made morally equivalent to “godless” Assyria!} “To capture booty and to seize plunder” As v. 21, “a remnant will return,” reflects Isaiah’s firstson’s name (cf. 7:3), this reflects his second son’s symbolic name (cf. 8:1,3).10:7 “Yet it does not so intendNor does it plan so in its heart” Assyria did not know that YHWH was directing its actions for Hispurposes. Assyria was only after more and more spoil.The intent of YHWH for the king of Assyria is revealed in a series of Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTS(v. 6) against Israel.1. take spoil (BDB 1021, KB 1531)2. seize plunder (BDB 102, KB 117)3. tread down (VERBAL BDB 962, KB 1321, NOUN BDB 942)The intent of the King of Assyria is expressed in two Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTS in v. 7c,d.1. to destroy (BDB 1029, KB 1552)2. to cut off (BDB 503, KB 500)10:8-11 The King of Assyria’s thoughts (i.e., “boasts,” TEV) are revealed in these verses1. all his military commanders are kings (NRSV, TEV, NJB, REB, Peshitta), v. 82. his (Tiglath-Pileser III or possibly Sennacherib in 701 B.C.) army has defeated several othertrans-Euphrates cities and nations, along with all their gods, v. 9a. Calno (or Calneh), city in northern Syria (cf. Amos 6:2) fell in 742 B.C. (all these datesare estimates only)b. Carchemish, major city of the Hittites near the headwaters of the Euphrates, joinedAssyrian coalition in 738 B.C.c. Hamath, city on the northern boundary of Israel (cf. II Chr. 8:4) on the Orontes River, fellin 738 B.C.d. Arpad, city in northwest Syria fell in 741 B.Ce. Samaria (capital of Israel) fell in 722 B.C to Sargon IIf. Damascus (capital of Syria) fell in 732 B.C.3. he threatened to destroy Jerusalem and her “idols” as he had Samaria, v. 11. He had noknowledge of the distinction between “idols” (cf. 2:8) and the true worship of YHWH.Just a word about which Assyrian invasion is depicted. The place names follow a traditional invasionroute of ANE empires from Mesopotamia. Because of the desert, they had to follow the Euphrates Riverto its headwaters and then go south along the coastal plain. The problem with identifying whichAssyrian invasion is complicated because Sennacherib, who did approach Jerusalem to besiege it,actually came from the south of the city in 701 B.C. The fall of the cities mentioned occurred underTiglath-Pileser III (i.e., Pul). Therefore, I think the route was “idealized” as a northern invader.10:11 “images” This is an interesting word (BDB 47). Its basic meaning is uncertain, but it is spelledsimilarly to Elohim, which has caused scholars to assume it refers to weak and non-existent idols (cf.NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 411). Monotheism is the uniqueness of Israel’s faith. There are other spiritualbeings, but only one true God (cf. Deut. 4:35,39; 6:8; 32:39; Isa. 43:9-11; 45:21-22; Jer. 2:11; 5:7,10;Rom. 3:30; I Cor. 8:4,6; I Tim. 2:5; James 2:19). The idols represent nothing, only the false hopes andfears (superstitions) of fallen humanity realizing there is more to reality than the physical, but unable tocomprehend spiritual truth (i.e., revelation).131