Isa 10:1-4 | JFB | STEP | 1. them that decree-- namely, unrighteous judges. write grievousness, &c.-- not the scribes, but the magistrates who caused unjust decisions (literally, "injustice" or "grievousness") to be recorded by them ( ) [Maurer], ( , ).

‏ Isaiah 10:1-4

CHAPTER 10 Is 10:1-4. Fourth strophe.

1. them that decree--namely, unrighteous judges.

write grievousness, &c.--not the scribes, but the magistrates who caused unjust decisions (literally, "injustice" or "grievousness") to be recorded by them (Is 65:6) [Maurer], (Is 1:10, 23).

2. To turn aside, &c.--The effect of their conduct is to pervert the cause of the needy [Horsley]. In English Version "from judgment" means "from obtaining justice."

take away the right--"make plunder of the right" (rightful claim) [Horsley].

3. what will ye do--what way of escape will there be for you?

visitation--of God's wrath (Is 26:14; Job 35:15; Ho 9:7).

from far--from Assyria.

leave ... glory--rather, "deposit (for safekeeping) your wealth" [Lowth]. So Psa 49:17.

4. Without me--not having Me to "flee to" (Is 10:3).

bow down--Bereft of strength they shall fall; or else, they shall lie down fettered.

under ... under--rather, "among" (literally, "in the place of") [Horsley]. The "under" may be, however, explained, "trodden under the (feet of the) prisoners going into captivity," and "overwhelmed under the heaps of slain on the battlefield" [Maurer].

Is 10:5-34 and Is 11:12. Destruction of the Assyrians; Coming of Messiah; Hymn of Praise.

Is 10:9, 11 show that Samaria was destroyed before this prophecy. It was written when Assyria proposed (a design which it soon after tried to carry out under Sennacherib) to destroy Judah and Jerusalem, as it had destroyed Samaria. This is the first part of Isaiah's prophecies under Hezekiah. Probably between 722 and 715 B.C. (see Is 10:27).