Isaiah 10:16

Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.

Therefore shall the Lord {H113}, the Lord {H136}{H3068} of hosts {H6635}, send {H7971} among his fat ones {H4924} leanness {H7332}; and under his glory {H3519} he shall kindle {H3344} a burning {H3350} like the burning of a fire {H784}.

Therefore the Lord, ADONAI-Tzva'ot, will send leanness to his well-fed ones; and in place of his glory, a fire will be kindled that will burn and burn.

Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts will send a wasting disease among Assyria’s stout warriors, and under his pomp will be kindled a fire like a burning flame.

Therefore will the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory there shall be kindled a burning like the burning of fire.

Commentary

Isaiah 10:16 delivers a powerful prophetic declaration of divine judgment against the arrogant nation of Assyria.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Isaiah (chapters 7-12) dealing with God's judgment on Judah's enemies and the nations, particularly Assyria. In the preceding verses of Isaiah 10, God declares that He is using Assyria as "the rod of mine anger" to chastise rebellious Israel. However, Assyria, in its pride and self-sufficiency, does not acknowledge God's hand but rather boasts in its own might and conquests (as seen in Isaiah 10:12). Because of this profound arrogance and their intent to destroy beyond God's appointed purpose, God declares that He will turn His judgment against Assyria itself.

Key Themes

  • Divine Retribution: The verse clearly states that "the Lord, the Lord of hosts," will initiate this judgment, emphasizing His sovereignty and power over nations.
  • Reversal of Fortune: Assyria, depicted as prosperous and powerful ("his fat ones," "his glory"), will experience a debilitating decline ("leanness," "a burning"). Their strength will turn to weakness, and their splendor to destruction.
  • Judgment on Pride: This passage serves as a stark reminder that God opposes the proud and self-exalting. Assyria's downfall is a direct consequence of its hubris and failure to recognize God's ultimate authority. Pride goes before destruction.
  • Consuming Fire: The imagery of "a burning like the burning of a fire" signifies a complete and devastating judgment. This metaphor is often used in Scripture to describe God's fierce holiness and destructive judgment against evil.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "his fat ones" (Hebrew: mishmanav) refers to Assyria's strongest, most robust, or most prosperous elements – perhaps its elite warriors, its wealthy citizens, or its abundant resources. The contrast with "leanness" (Hebrew: razon) vividly portrays a wasting away or a debilitating loss of strength and vitality. "Under his glory" (Hebrew: tachat k'vodo) means beneath its splendor or majesty. The "burning" (Hebrew: kiyqod) signifies a consuming fire, suggesting an internal decay or a swift, destructive force that consumes from within, diminishing their impressive power and reputation.

Significance & Application

Isaiah 10:16 reinforces the biblical truth that God is sovereign over all nations and that He holds even the most powerful empires accountable for their actions, especially their pride and injustice. It teaches us that:

  • God's Justice Prevails: Even when evil seems to triumph, God's justice will ultimately be meted out. No nation or individual can escape His judgment indefinitely.
  • Beware of Pride: The downfall of Assyria serves as a timeless warning against human arrogance. When we attribute our successes solely to our own strength or wisdom, we fail to honor God and invite His correction. This applies to individuals, communities, and nations alike.
  • God is a Consuming Fire: The imagery of fire reminds us of God's holy nature and His intolerance for sin. While He is merciful, He is also just, and His righteous indignation can bring about swift and thorough judgment, as described in Hebrews 12:29.

This verse encourages humility and a recognition that all authority and power ultimately reside with the "Lord, the Lord of hosts."

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 32:21

    And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.

  • Psalms 106:15

    And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

  • Acts 12:23

    And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

  • Isaiah 5:17

    Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.

  • Isaiah 17:4

    And in that day it shall come to pass, [that] the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean.

  • Isaiah 33:10

    Now will I rise, saith the LORD; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself.

  • Isaiah 33:14

    The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
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