Isaiah 10:7

Isaiah 10:7 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

But this is not his intention; this is not his plan. For it is in his heart to destroy and cut off many nations.

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few.

Bible in Basic English BBE

But this is not what is in his mind, and this is not his design; but his purpose is destruction, and the cutting off of more and more nations.

Free Bible Version FBV

But this isn't what is behind the thinking of the king of Assyria. This isn't the plan he has in mind. What he wants to do is to destroy and eliminate many nations.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

But he thinketh not so, neither doeth his heart esteeme it so: but he imagineth to destroy and to cut off not a fewe nations.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And he — he thinketh not so, And his heart reckoneth not so, For — to destroy [is] in his heart, And to cut off nations not a few.

World English Bible WEB

However, he doesn’t mean so, neither does his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off not a few nations.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

But he shall not take it so, and his heart shall not think so: but his heart shall be set to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few.

Translation for Translators T4T

But the king of Assyria does not understand, he does not realize that he is only like a weapon in my hand. He wants only to destroy people, to get rid of many nations.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 10:7

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Isaiah 10:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/הוּא֙ לֹא כֵ֣ן יְדַמֶּ֔ה וּ/לְבָב֖/וֹ לֹא כֵ֣ן יַחְשֹׁ֑ב כִּ֚י לְ/הַשְׁמִ֣יד בִּ/לְבָב֔/וֹ וּ/לְ/הַכְרִ֥ית גּוֹיִ֖ם לֹ֥א מְעָֽט

וְ/הוּא֙ hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Conj | Pron

לֹא lôʼ H3808 not Part

כֵ֣ן kên H3651 right Adv

יְדַמֶּ֔ה dâmâh H1819 to resemble V-Piel-Imperf-3ms

וּ/לְבָב֖/וֹ lêbâb H3824 heart Conj | N-ms | Suff

לֹא lôʼ H3808 not Part

כֵ֣ן kên H3651 right Adv

יַחְשֹׁ֑ב châshab H2803 to devise V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

כִּ֚י kîy H3588 for Conj

לְ/הַשְׁמִ֣יד shâmad H8045 to destroy Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a

בִּ/לְבָב֔/וֹ lêbâb H3824 heart Prep | N-ms | Suff

וּ/לְ/הַכְרִ֥ית kârath H3772 to cut Conj | Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a

גּוֹיִ֖ם gôwy H1471 Gentile N-mp

לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 not Part

מְעָֽט mᵉʻaṭ H4592 little N-ms

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 10:7

וְ/הוּא֙ hûwʼ H1931 "he/she/it" Conj | Pron

This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.

Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)

Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.

לֹא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

כֵ֣ן kên H3651 "right" Adv

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable

Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.

יְדַמֶּ֔ה dâmâh H1819 "to resemble" V-Piel-Imperf-3ms

To resemble means to compare or liken something, often used to describe a similarity. In the Bible, this word is used to make comparisons or analogies, like in the parables of Jesus where he compares the kingdom of God to everyday things.

Definition: 1) to be like, resemble 1a) (Qal) to be like, resemble 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to liken, compare 1b2) to imagine, think 1c) (Hithpael) to make oneself like 1d) (Niphal) Aramaic equivalent: de.mah (דְּמָה "be like" H1821)

Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: compare, devise, (be) like(-n), mean, think, use similitudes. See also: Numbers 33:56; Song of Solomon 8:14; Psalms 48:10.

וּ/לְבָב֖/וֹ lêbâb H3824 "heart" Conj | N-ms | Suff

The heart is the innermost part of a person, including their mind, will, and emotions. In the book of Psalms, David talks about his heart being heavy with sorrow, while in the book of Proverbs, it discusses the importance of guarding one's heart.

Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage Aramaic equivalent: le.vav (לְבַב "heart" H3825)

Usage: Occurs in 230 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-) heart(-ed), midst, mind, [idiom] unawares, understanding. See also: Genesis 20:5; 1 Chronicles 17:2; Psalms 4:5.

לֹא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

כֵ֣ן kên H3651 "right" Adv

Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable

יַחְשֹׁ֑ב châshab H2803 "to devise" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

To devise means to think or plan something, often in a clever way. In the Bible, it can mean to plot or contrive, as seen in the story of David and Goliath.

Definition: : count/regard_as 1) to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to think, account 1a2) to plan, devise, mean 1a3) to charge, impute, reckon 1a4) to esteem, value, regard 1a5) to invent 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be accounted, be thought, be esteemed 1b2) to be computed, be reckoned 1b3) to be imputed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to think upon, consider, be mindful of 1c2) to think to do, devise, plan 1c3) to count, reckon 1d) (Hithpael) to be considered

Usage: Occurs in 122 OT verses. KJV: (make) account (of), conceive, consider, count, cunning (man, work, workman), devise, esteem, find out, forecast, hold, imagine, impute, invent, be like, mean, purpose, reckon(-ing be made), regard, think. See also: Genesis 15:6; Psalms 35:4; Psalms 10:2.

כִּ֚י kîy H3588 "for" Conj

A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.

Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.

לְ/הַשְׁמִ֣יד shâmad H8045 "to destroy" Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a

The Hebrew word shâmad means to destroy or desolate something, used to describe annihilation or devastation. It is used in the Bible to describe the destruction of cities or nations, such as in the book of Isaiah.

Definition: 1) to destroy, exterminate, be destroyed, be exterminated 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be annihilated, be exterminated 1a2) to be destroyed, be devastated 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to annihilate, exterminate 1b2) to destroy Aramaic equivalent: she.mad (שְׁמַד "to destroy" H8046)

Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: destory(-uction), bring to nought, overthrow, perish, pluck down, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 34:30; 2 Samuel 22:38; Psalms 37:38.

בִּ/לְבָב֔/וֹ lêbâb H3824 "heart" Prep | N-ms | Suff

וּ/לְ/הַכְרִ֥ית kârath H3772 "to cut" Conj | Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a

This Hebrew word means to cut or destroy something, but it also has a special meaning related to making a covenant or agreement. In Genesis 15:18, God makes a covenant with Abram, symbolized by cutting animals in half, showing the seriousness of the promise. This word is used to describe important agreements and alliances.

Definition: : cut/fell 1) to cut, cut off, cut down, cut off a body part, cut out, eliminate, kill, cut a covenant 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut off 1a1a) to cut off a body part, behead 1a2) to cut down 1a3) to hew 1a4) to cut or make a covenant 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be cut off 1b2) to be cut down 1b3) to be chewed 1b4) to be cut off, fail 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be cut off 1c2) to be cut down 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cut off 1d2) to cut off, destroy 1d3) to cut down, destroy 1d4) to take away 1d5) to permit to perish 1e) (Hophal) cut off

Usage: Occurs in 280 OT verses. KJV: be chewed, be con-(feder-) ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league (covenant), [idiom] lose, perish, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] want. See also: Genesis 9:11; 1 Samuel 24:6; Psalms 12:4.

גּוֹיִ֖ם gôwy H1471 "Gentile" N-mp

This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.

Definition: 1) nation, people 1a) nation, people 1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people 1a2) of descendants of Abraham 1a3) of Israel 1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.) 1c) Goyim? = "nations" Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)

Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: Gentile, heathen, nation, people. See also: Genesis 10:5; Judges 4:16; Psalms 2:1.

לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

מְעָֽט mᵉʻaṭ H4592 "little" N-ms

This Hebrew word means something is small or little in amount, like a few people or a short time. It appears in various Bible translations as almost, few, or small. In the Bible, it often describes something that is limited or lacking.

Definition: 1) littleness, few, a little, fewness 1a) little, small, littleness, fewness, too little, yet a little 1b) like a little, within a little, almost, just, hardly, shortly, little worth

Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: almost (some, very) few(-er, -est), lightly, little (while), (very) small (matter, thing), some, soon, [idiom] very. See also: Genesis 18:4; Job 15:11; Psalms 2:12.

Study Notes — Isaiah 10:7

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Isaiah 10:7 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 10:7
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 10:7
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 10:7
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 10:7
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 10:7
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 10:7
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 10:7
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 10:7
Sermons on Isaiah 10:7

Context — Judgment on Assyria

5Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath. 6I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets.

7But this is not his intention; this is not his plan. For it is in his heart to destroy and cut off many nations.

8“Are not all my commanders kings?” he says. 9“Is not Calno like Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria like Damascus?

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Genesis 50:20	As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.
2	Micah 4:11–12	But now many nations have assembled against you, saying, “Let her be defiled, and let us feast our eyes on Zion.” But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD or understand His plan, for He has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.
3	Acts 2:23	He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.
4	Isaiah 36:18–20	Do not let Hezekiah mislead you when he says, ‘The LORD will deliver us.’ Has the god of any nation ever delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they delivered Samaria from my hand? Who among all the gods of these lands has delivered his land from my hand? How then can the LORD deliver Jerusalem from my hand?”
5	Isaiah 37:11–13	Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Will you then be spared? Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar? Where are the kings of Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah?’”
6	Acts 13:27–30	The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. And though they found no ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed. When they had carried out all that was written about Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead,

Isaiah 10:7 Summary

Isaiah 10:7 tells us that the king of Assyria has his own plans, which are to destroy and cut off many nations, but this is not what God originally intended for him to do, as seen in Isaiah 10:5-6. This verse shows us that God is sovereign over all things, even when people have their own plans and intentions, as stated in Isaiah 46:10 and Psalm 135:6. It's a reminder that God can use anyone or anything to accomplish His purposes, even if they don't realize it, as seen in Romans 9:17 and Isaiah 45:5. We can trust in God's sovereignty and wisdom, even when we don't understand what's happening, and look to verses like Proverbs 3:5-6 for guidance and comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the intention of the king of Assyria in Isaiah 10:7?

The king of Assyria's intention is to destroy and cut off many nations, which is contrary to God's original plan for him to be a rod of anger against a specific nation, as seen in Isaiah 10:5-6, but ultimately, God is still sovereign over his actions, as stated in Isaiah 46:10.

How does God's sovereignty relate to the actions of the king of Assyria?

God's sovereignty is evident in that He can use the king of Assyria to accomplish His purposes, even if the king's intentions are not aligned with God's, as seen in Isaiah 10:5-7 and Romans 9:17, where God hardens Pharaoh's heart to demonstrate His power.

What is the significance of the king of Assyria's statement in Isaiah 10:8-9?

The king of Assyria's statement in Isaiah 10:8-9 reveals his pride and arrogance, as he compares his conquests to those of other nations, demonstrating his lack of awareness of God's sovereignty over his actions, as warned against in Proverbs 16:18 and 1 Peter 5:5-6.

How does this verse relate to the concept of God's judgment?

This verse shows that God can use nations and leaders to execute His judgment, as seen in Isaiah 10:5-7 and Jeremiah 25:8-14, where God uses Babylon to judge His people, demonstrating His holiness and justice, as stated in Isaiah 5:16 and Revelation 15:4.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that God can use people or circumstances in my life to accomplish His purposes, even if their intentions are not aligned with His?
How can I trust in God's sovereignty when I see evil or injustice in the world, and what does Isaiah 10:7 teach me about God's control over nations and leaders?
What are some areas in my life where I may be trying to accomplish my own plans, rather than submitting to God's plan, and how can I apply the lesson of Isaiah 10:7 to those areas?
How can I balance the concept of human responsibility with the concept of God's sovereignty, as seen in Isaiah 10:7 and other verses, such as Isaiah 46:10 and Romans 9:17?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 10:7

Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so,.... His purposes, intentions, and thoughts, were not as the Lord's; he did not imagine that he was only the rod of his anger, and the staff

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 10:7

He meaneth not so; he doth not at all design the execution of my will. and the glory of my justice, in punishing mine enemies; but only to enlarge his own empire, and satisfy his own lusts; which is seasonably added, to justify God in his judgments threatened to the Assyrian, notwithstanding this service. To destroy and cut off nations not a few; to sacrifice multitudes of people to his own ambition and covetousness; which is abominable impiety.

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 10:7

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.Ver. 7. Howbeit he meaneth not so.] He is otherwise minded and affected than I am, and doeth my will merely beside and against his own will. As in applying of leeches the physician seeketh the health of his patient, the leech only the filling of his gorge, so is it when God turneth loose a bloody enemy upon his people; he hath excellent ends, which they think not on. But it is in his heart to destroy and cut off.] This was to exceed his commission, which was only to "take the spoil, and to take the prey," not to cut off nations, and to make havoc of all. How much better our King Edward the Confessor, who, when his captains promised for his sake they would not leave one Dane alive, thought it better to lead a private and unbloody life than to be a king by such bloody butcheries. Of Charles V, emperor, we read, that when Antonius Leva, and other of his chief commanders, commended Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar for their great exploits in overrunning and destroying nations not a few, to their great renown; and, on the other side, complained that Charles made not the like use of his power and victories as he might and ought to do for such a purpose, he gravely replied, that Alexander and Julius had, in waging wars, nothing else to aim at besides honour and glory, but that Christian princes were in all their enterprises to mind the glory of God and the salvation of their own souls. Camd. Rem., p. 214. Parei Hist. Prof. Med., p. 895.

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 10:7

(7) Howbeit he meaneth not so.—The thoughts which Isaiah puts into the mouth of the Assyrian are exactly in accord with the supreme egotism of the Sargon inscription, “I conquered,” “I besieged,” “I burnt,” “I killed,” “I destroyed”; this is the ever-recurring burden, mingled here and there with the boast that he is the champion of the great deities of Assyria, of Ishtar and of Nebo.

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 10:7

7. Howbeit he meaneth not so] The charge is not so much that Asshur exceeds his commission (as in Zechariah 1:15), as that he recognises no commission at all; his policy is entirely oblivious of moral interests.

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 10:7

Howbeit he meaneth not so - It is not his purpose to be the instrument, in the hand of God, of executing his designs. He has a different plan; a plan of his own which he intends to accomplish.

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 10:7

7. He meaneth not so — The Assyrian is unconsciously God’s instrument in inflicting punishment. He thinks only to build himself up. No thanks to him for executing the divine judgments. Woe to him, rather.

Sermons on Isaiah 10:7

	Sermon	Description
	The Meaning of Life - 4. From Negative to Positive Believing by Norman Grubb	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that humans are naturally inclined towards negativity due to the negative world we live in. They discuss how people often view their problems
	(Basics) 2. God Makes Evil Work for Good by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the preacher shares a story of a businessman who drifted away from God as his business prospered. Despite the elders of his church trying to bring him back to faith
	(Genesis) Genesis 39 Introduction by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Joseph from the book of Genesis. Joseph, despite facing numerous challenges and hardships, is a prime example of how God's provi
	Always Giving Thanks (Tamil) by Zac Poonen	This sermon emphasizes the importance of having a spirit of thankfulness and praise, even in the face of challenges and false accusations. It highlights how God can use difficult s
	Satan's Wiles to Accuse and Trouble the Saint (Reading) by William Gurnall	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of holding on to the receipts of God's forgiveness for our sins. He emphasizes that there are special moments, like jubilee fe
	Bearing Much Fruit by Bob Hoekstra	This sermon focuses on the theme of God's faithfulness and provision in times of uncertainty and challenges, emphasizing the importance of trusting in His promises and seeking His
	(Genesis) Genesis 12 Intro by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of Abraham in the Bible and how he has remained famous for over 4,000 years. Abraham was not only a wealthy man but also a gen