Isa 10:5-6, 18-19 | 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 10:5-6

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.

6. send him—"Kings' hearts are in the hand of the Lord" (Pr 21:1).

hypocritical—polluted [HORSLEY].

nation—Judah, against whom Sennacherib was forming designs.

of my wrath—objects of My wrath.

give . . . charge— (Jer 34:22).

and to tread, &c.—HORSLEY translates: "And then to make him (the Assyrian) a trampling under foot like the mire of the streets" (so Isa 10:12; Isa 33:1; Zec 10:5). But see Isa 37:26.

Isaiah 10:18-19

18. glory of his forest—The common soldiers, the princes, officers, &c., all alike together, shall be consumed (see on Isa 9:18).

in one day— (Isa 37:36).

fruitful field—literally, "Carmel," a rich mountain in the tribe of Asher. Figurative for Sennacherib's mighty army. Perhaps alluding to his own boasting words about to be uttered (Isa 37:24), "I will enter the forest of his Carmel."

soul and body—proverbial for utterly; the entire man is made up of soul and body.

as when a standard bearer fainteth—rather, "they shall be as when a sick man" (from a Syriac root) wastes away." Compare "leanness," that is, wasting destruction (Isa 10:16) [MAURER]. Or, "there shall be an entire dissipation, like a perfect melting" (namely, of the Assyrian army) [HORSLEY].

19. rest—those who shall survive the destruction of the host.

his forest—same image as in Isa 10:18, for the once dense army.

child . . . write—so few that a child might count them.