Isa 10:5, 15 | JFB | STEP | 5. O Assyrian, &c.—rather, "What, ho (but MAURER , Woe to the ) Assyrian! He is the rod and staff of Mine anger ( My instrument in punishing, ). In their hands is Mine indignation" [HORSLEY , after JEROME ]. I have put into the Assyrians' hands the execution of Mine indignation against My people.

Isaiah 10:5

5. O Assyrian, &c.—rather, "What, ho (but MAURER, Woe to the) Assyrian! He is the rod and staff of Mine anger (My instrument in punishing, Jer 51:20; Ps 17:13). In their hands is Mine indignation" [HORSLEY, after JEROME]. I have put into the Assyrians' hands the execution of Mine indignation against My people.

Isaiah 10:15

15. Shall the instrument boast against Him who uses it? Through free in a sense, and carrying out his own plans, the Assyrian was unconsciously carrying out God's purposes.

shaketh it—moves it back and forward.

staff . . . lift . . . itself . . . no wood—rather, "as if the staff (man, the instrument of God's judgments on his fellow man) should set aside (Him who is) not wood" (not a mere instrument, as man). On "no wood" compare De 32:21, "that which is not God;" Isa 31:8 shows that God is meant here by "not wood" [MAURER].