Isaiah 10:19

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them.

Complete Jewish Bible:

So few forest trees will remain that a child could list them.

Berean Standard Bible:

The remaining trees of its forests will be so few that a child could count them.

American Standard Version:

And the remnant of the trees of his forest shall be few, so that a child may write them.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the rest^{H7605} of the trees^{H6086} of his forest^{H3293} shall be few^{H4557}, that a child^{H5288} may write^{H3789} them.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Isaiah 10:19

Isaiah 10:19 is a verse set within the broader context of the prophet Isaiah's oracles against the nations, particularly focusing on the Assyrian empire, which was a dominant world power during the time of Isaiah's prophetic ministry in the 8th century BCE. This verse specifically follows a passage that pronounces judgment on Assyria, which had been used as an instrument of God's judgment against His people due to their unfaithfulness but had overstepped its role by displaying excessive pride and cruelty.

The verse uses the metaphor of a forest to represent the vastness and strength of the Assyrian empire, with individual trees symbolizing the people or the military might of Assyria. The imagery of the forest being reduced to such a small number of trees "that a child may write them" speaks to the completeness of the devastation that God will bring upon Assyria. This metaphor conveys that what was once a formidable force will be so diminished that even a child could easily enumerate the survivors.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the geopolitical realities of the Ancient Near East, where Assyria was known for its ruthless military campaigns and extensive conquests. However, despite its military prowess, the Bible portrays Assyria's downfall as a consequence of its arrogance and the affliction it brought upon Judah and other nations.

In summary, Isaiah 10:19 prophesies the downfall of Assyria in stark terms, using the metaphor of a forest decimated to the extent that its few remaining trees could be counted by a child. This verse encapsulates the themes of divine retribution, the humbling of the proud, and the sovereignty of God over the nations and their rulers. It serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly power and the ultimate accountability of all nations to a higher moral authority.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7605
   There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׁאָר
   Transliteration: shᵉʼâr
   Pronunciation: sheh-awr'
   Description: from שָׁאַר; a remainder; [idiom] other, remnant, residue, rest.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6086
   There are 288 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵץ
   Transliteration: ʻêts
   Pronunciation: ates
   Description: from עָצָה; a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks); [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3293
   There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יַעַר
   Transliteration: yaʻar
   Pronunciation: yah'-ar
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to thicken with verdure; a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees); (honey-) comb, forest, wood.
   
4. Strong's Number: H4557
   There are 129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִסְפָּר
   Transliteration: miçpâr
   Pronunciation: mis-pawr'
   Description: from סָפַר; a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration; [phrase] abundance, account, [idiom] all, [idiom] few, (in-) finite, (certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, [phrase] time.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5288
   There are 221 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נַעַר
   Transliteration: naʻar
   Pronunciation: nah'-ar
   Description: from נָעַר; (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age); babe, boy, child, damsel (from the margin), lad, servant, young (man).
   
6. Strong's Number: H3789
   There are 212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּתַב
   Transliteration: kâthab
   Pronunciation: kaw-thab'
   Description: a primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe); describe, record, prescribe, subscribe, write(-ing, -ten).