Isaiah 10:26

And the LORD of hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and [as] his rod [was] upon the sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt.

And the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635} shall stir up {H5782} a scourge {H7752} for him according to the slaughter {H4347} of Midian {H4080} at the rock {H6697} of Oreb {H6159}: and as his rod {H4294} was upon the sea {H3220}, so shall he lift it up {H5375} after the manner {H1870} of Egypt {H4714}.

ADONAI-Tzva'ot will wield a whip against them, as he did when striking Midyan at the Rock of 'Orev; as his staff was over the sea, he will raise it, the way it was in Egypt.

And the LORD of Hosts will brandish a whip against them, as when He struck Midian at the rock of Oreb. He will raise His staff over the sea, as He did in Egypt.

And Jehovah of hosts will stir up against him a scourge, as in the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and his rod will be over the sea, and he will lift it up after the manner of Egypt.

Context

Isaiah 10:26 is part of a prophetic message in the Book of Isaiah, primarily addressing God's impending judgment upon the mighty Assyrian Empire. While Assyria was God's chosen instrument to discipline Judah for its sins (as seen in Isaiah 10:5), their excessive pride and cruelty meant they too would face divine retribution. This specific verse provides a vivid assurance that Assyria's reign of terror would be decisively brought to an end by God Himself.

Meaning and Significance

The verse declares that "the LORD of hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth), emphasizing God's supreme authority over all armies, "shall stir up a scourge" for Assyria. This punishment is explicitly likened to two monumental historical deliverances:

  • First, the "slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb" recalls Gideon's miraculous victory over the Midianites (Judges 7-8). In this event, God used a small, unlikely force to decimate a vast enemy army, demonstrating His power to save without human might (Judges 7:2).
  • Second, "as his rod was upon the sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt" directly references the parting of the Red Sea during the Exodus. This was God's ultimate act of deliverance for Israel from Egyptian bondage, a powerful display of His ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and destroy a mighty oppressor.

Together, these parallels assure Judah that Assyria's defeat will be a complete, divinely orchestrated, and overwhelming act of deliverance, mirroring God's past, decisive interventions on behalf of His people.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment on Oppressors: The verse vividly portrays God's unwavering justice against nations and individuals who act with unchecked pride and cruelty, even if they are initially used for His purposes. Assyria's arrogance sealed its fate (Isaiah 10:12).
  • God's Faithfulness and Deliverance: By referencing specific historical events like Gideon's triumph over Midian and the destruction of Pharaoh's army, God assures His people that His power to deliver remains undiminished. Past victories are a guarantee of future intervention.
  • Sovereignty of the 'LORD of Hosts': The title 'LORD of hosts' underscores God's absolute control over history, armies, and all creation. He is the ultimate orchestrator of events, able to raise up and bring down empires at His will.

Linguistic Insight

The title "LORD of hosts" is a translation of the Hebrew Yahweh Sabaoth (often rendered Jehovah Sabaoth). Sabaoth means 'armies' or 'hosts,' referring to both earthly armies and heavenly hosts (angels). This title emphasizes God's omnipotence and His role as the supreme commander of all forces, highlighting His ability to execute judgment and deliverance with absolute authority.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 10:26 offers profound encouragement. It reminds us that no oppressor, no matter how mighty, is beyond God's reach. When facing overwhelming challenges or seemingly insurmountable foes, we can look to God's past acts of deliverance as a promise of His continued power and faithfulness. His sovereign hand is at work in the world, bringing justice and ultimately delivering His people from all forms of bondage, just as He did for Israel. It calls us to trust in the unfailing power of God, who is able to 'make a way where there seems to be no way,' mirroring the Red Sea miracle.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 9:4

    For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.

  • Judges 7:25

    And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.

  • 2 Kings 19:35

    ¶ And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they [were] all dead corpses.

  • Exodus 14:16

    But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry [ground] through the midst of the sea.

  • Exodus 14:25

    And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.

  • Exodus 14:27

    And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.

  • Revelation 19:15

    And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

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