Isaiah 10:6

KJV

I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will send {H7971} him against an hypocritical {H2611} nation {H1471}, and against the people {H5971} of my wrath {H5678} will I give him a charge {H6680}, to take {H7997} the spoil {H7998}, and to take {H962} the prey {H957}, and to tread them down {H7760}{H4823} like the mire {H2563} of the streets {H2351}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I am sending him against a hypocritical nation, ordering him to march against a people who enrage me, to take the spoil and the plunder and trample them down like mud in the street.

Berean Standard Bible

I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets.

American Standard Version

I will send him against a profane nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 10:6 serves as a profound declaration of God's sovereign judgment against the unfaithful nation of Judah, whom He identifies as "an hypocritical nation" and "the people of my wrath." In this prophetic oracle, the Lord unequivocally states His divine commission of the Assyrian empire as a formidable and precise instrument of chastisement. Assyria is charged not merely with military conquest but with the explicit purpose of utterly devastating Judah, seizing their wealth and possessions, and subjecting them to a complete and ignominious humiliation, symbolizing the severe consequences of their persistent spiritual infidelity and moral apostasy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 10:6 is strategically positioned within a larger prophetic section (Isaiah 7-12) that primarily addresses the geopolitical turmoil of the Syro-Ephraimitic War and the looming threat of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. This verse immediately follows God's declaration in [Isaiah 10:5](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5 - Assyria as God's Rod") that Assyria, despite its own arrogant and self-serving ambitions, is merely "the rod of my anger" and "the staff in their hand is my indignation." [Isaiah 10:6](/isaiah/10-6 "Isaiah 10:6 - God's Commission to Assyria") then explicitly details the divine mandate given to Assyria concerning Judah. The preceding chapters meticulously detail Judah's spiritual decline, their reliance on unreliable foreign alliances rather than Yahweh, and the pervasive social injustices that had become endemic within the nation, thus establishing the theological rationale for the severe judgment described. Crucially, the subsequent verses in [Isaiah 10:7-19](/isaiah/10-7-19 "Isaiah 10:7-19 - Assyria's Arrogance and God's Judgment Against It") pivot to God's impending judgment *against* Assyria itself for its overweening pride and excessive cruelty, demonstrating that even God's chosen instruments are held accountable to His righteous standards.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Isaiah 10:6 is the turbulent late 8th century BCE, a period defined by the relentless expansion of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Under a succession of powerful monarchs like Tiglath-Pileser III, Shalmaneser V, Sargon II, and Sennacherib, Assyria systematically conquered vast swathes of the Near East, employing notoriously brutal military tactics, forced deportations, and calculated terror to maintain its dominion. Judah, led by kings Ahaz and later Hezekiah, found itself precariously situated between this formidable Assyrian power and other regional entities. Culturally, Judah was a covenant nation, uniquely bound to Yahweh by the Mosaic Law given at Sinai. However, a recurring theme in prophetic literature, including Isaiah, is Judah's frequent succumbing to idolatry, syncretism, and widespread social injustice, often mirroring the corrupt practices of surrounding pagan nations. The designation "hypocritical nation" directly addresses Judah's outward adherence to religious rituals and covenant forms while their hearts and actions profoundly deviated from God's commands, a scathing critique found throughout the prophetic corpus. The vivid imagery of "trampling them down like the mire of the streets" evokes a common ancient Near Eastern practice where victors would utterly humiliate the vanquished, often literally marching over their fallen enemies or their symbols of power, signifying total subjugation and contempt.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several foundational theological themes prevalent throughout the book of Isaiah. Foremost is **God's absolute sovereignty** over all nations and human history; He is not a detached observer but actively directs and orchestrates global events, even employing pagan empires as instruments of His divine will, as further elaborated in [Isaiah 45:1-7](/isaiah/45-1-7 "Isaiah 45:1-7 - God's Sovereignty over Cyrus"). Another crucial theme is **divine judgment and justice**, particularly directed against a covenant people who have repeatedly proven unfaithful. Judah's spiritual hypocrisy and moral corruption justly provoke God's "wrath," demonstrating that a covenant relationship demands genuine, heartfelt obedience and not mere outward religious performance. The severity of the judgment, depicted as complete subjugation and humiliation, powerfully highlights the **consequences of disobedience** and the profound seriousness of breaking covenant with the holy God. This serves as a stark warning that God's patience, though immense, has limits, and that His justice will ultimately prevail, a truth echoed in passages such as [Amos 3:2](/amos/3-2 "Amos 3:2 - Privilege and Responsibility").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hypocritical (Hebrew, _chânêph'_):** From H2611. This term describes something "soiled (i.e., with sin), impious." It conveys a deeper sense than mere pretense; it speaks of a profound moral and spiritual defilement, a profanity or ungodliness that has permeated the nation. For Judah, it implies a people who had become polluted in heart and action, despite maintaining outward religious forms, making them spiritually corrupt and deserving of judgment.
* **Wrath (Hebrew, _ʻebrâh'_):** From H5678. This word denotes "an outburst of passion; anger, rage." It signifies a strong, intense indignation, not a capricious or arbitrary emotion, but a righteous and holy anger stemming from God's perfect justice in response to persistent sin and rebellion. It emphasizes the divine impetus behind the impending judgment, indicating that Judah's actions had genuinely provoked God's righteous fury.
* **Mire (Hebrew, _chômer'_):** From H2563. This term refers to "a bubbling up, i.e., of water, a wave; of earth, mire or clay (cement); also a heap." In this context, it specifically means "mire" or "clay," depicting something dirty, contemptible, and easily trampled. The imagery of being trodden down like mire suggests utter degradation, complete loss of dignity, and a state of being utterly powerless and despised by their conquerors.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will send him against an hypocritical nation":** This opening clause immediately establishes God's absolute initiative and sovereign control. "Him" refers to the Assyrian king (as clearly established in [Isaiah 10:5](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5 - Assyria as God's Rod")). The "hypocritical nation" is Judah, identified by God as having fallen into deep spiritual corruption and moral defilement, despite their covenant relationship with Him. This highlights God's righteous judgment against His own people for their unfaithfulness and spiritual duplicity.
* **"and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge":** This reinforces the divine commission and the profound reason for it. Judah is explicitly called "the people of my wrath," underscoring that God's intense, righteous anger has been justly kindled against them due to their persistent sin and rebellion. God is not merely permitting Assyria's actions but actively commanding and empowering them to execute His preordained judgment.
* **"to take the spoil, and to take the prey":** These parallel phrases describe the comprehensive economic and material devastation that will befall Judah. "Spoil" (Hebrew, _shâlâl_) and "prey" (Hebrew, _baz_) refer to the plunder, goods, and captives typically taken by a conquering army. This signifies the complete stripping away of Judah's wealth, resources, and even its populace, a direct consequence of their military defeat and a vivid symbol of their loss of divine protection and prosperity.
* **"and to tread them down like the mire of the streets":** This powerful and visceral simile vividly portrays the utter humiliation, complete subjugation, and profound destruction awaiting Judah. To be "trodden down like the mire of the streets" (Hebrew, _mirmâç_ from _râmas_ meaning "to trample") implies being reduced to something worthless, defiled, and easily walked over by anyone. It speaks of complete military defeat, social degradation, and a catastrophic loss of national identity and pride, emphasizing the severity and ignominy of God's righteous judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 10:6 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message of divine judgment with striking force. The most prominent is **Personification**, as God is depicted as an active, intentional agent who "sends" and "gives a charge" to the Assyrian king, thereby transforming a human conqueror into a conscious instrument of divine will. This also functions as a form of **Divine Command**, emphasizing God's absolute authority and meticulous control over human events and nations. The phrase "people of my wrath" is a powerful **Metaphor** or **Appellation**, directly linking Judah's identity to God's righteous anger, signifying that their very existence has become an object of His holy indignation due to their unfaithfulness. Finally, the concluding simile, "tread them down like the mire of the streets," is a vivid and visceral **Imagery** that evokes profound humiliation, complete subjugation, and utter degradation. This **Simile** effectively communicates the full extent of the impending destruction and the contempt with which the vanquished nation will be treated, leaving no doubt as to the severity and justice of God's judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 10:6 profoundly articulates the biblical truth of God's active involvement in human history, demonstrating His sovereign use of nations, even pagan ones, to accomplish His divine purposes. It underscores that God's justice is not merely punitive but also corrective, aimed at bringing His people to repentance and true obedience, even through severe chastisement. The designation "hypocritical nation" highlights God's unwavering demand for genuine heart-obedience over superficial outward religious observance, a recurring prophetic theme that warns against spiritual complacency and superficial faith. Ultimately, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that while God is merciful and patient beyond measure, He is also a God of righteous wrath who will hold His covenant people accountable for their unfaithfulness, ensuring that His holiness, justice, and covenant integrity are upheld.

* [Jeremiah 18:7-10](/jeremiah/18-7-10 "Jeremiah 18:7-10 - God's Sovereignty Over Nations")
* [Amos 3:2](/amos/3-2 "Amos 3:2 - Privilege and Responsibility")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 10:6 serves as a sobering and timeless reminder that God is not to be trifled with, and that His patience, while vast and enduring, is not infinite. For believers today, this passage challenges us to a deep and honest self-examination: are we, individually and corporately, living genuinely before God, or are we guilty of spiritual hypocrisy? True faith is not merely about outward religious observance, church attendance, or membership in a Christian community, but about a transformed heart that sincerely seeks to obey God in all areas of life, motivated by love and gratitude. The vivid imagery of being "trodden down like the mire of the streets" should prompt us to consider the severe consequences of straying from God's path and the paramount importance of humility, repentance, and consistent obedience. It also encourages us to trust implicitly in God's ultimate sovereignty, even when circumstances seem chaotic, unjust, or overwhelmingly difficult, knowing that He is always working His perfect purposes, even through challenging or painful means, to bring about His divine will and to call His people to a deeper, more authentic walk with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be exhibiting "hypocrisy" by maintaining outward religious forms while my heart or actions are subtly or overtly far from God?**
* **How does understanding God's righteous "wrath" against sin, as depicted in this verse, shape my view of His character and deepen my commitment to holiness and genuine repentance?**
* **What does it mean for me to fully submit to God's sovereignty, even when His methods of discipline or the circumstances He permits are severe or difficult to comprehend?**

### FAQ

**Was God being unjust by using Assyria, a brutal pagan nation, to punish His own people?**

Answer: No, God was not being unjust; rather, He was exercising His righteous judgment and absolute sovereignty. Isaiah 10:6, read in conjunction with [Isaiah 10:5](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5 - Assyria as God's Rod"), clearly states that Assyria was merely "the rod of my anger" and an instrument in God's hand. While Assyria acted out of its own wicked intentions, pride, and ambition, God sovereignly directed their movements to fulfill His righteous judgment against Judah's persistent sin, spiritual hypocrisy, and covenant unfaithfulness. God's justice requires that sin be punished, and He has the inherent right and power to use any means necessary to achieve His holy purposes. Furthermore, the Bible makes it unequivocally clear that God later held Assyria accountable for their excessive pride, cruelty, and blasphemous arrogance ([Isaiah 10:12-19](/isaiah/10-12-19 "Isaiah 10:12-19 - God's Judgment on Assyria's Pride")), demonstrating that even His instruments are not exempt from His ultimate justice. This highlights God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and His unwavering commitment to righteousness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 10:6 vividly portrays God's terrifying judgment against a rebellious people through an earthly instrument, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the profound theological shift from judgment *on* God's people to judgment *for* God's people, accomplished exclusively through the Person and work of Jesus Christ. The "wrath" described here, justly deserved by a "hypocritical nation," finds its ultimate and complete satisfaction not in the destruction of Judah by Assyria, but in the atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Jesus, the perfect [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), voluntarily bore the full weight of God's righteous wrath against all human sin, becoming the "curse for us" ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). He was "tread down" and utterly humiliated, not as a mere victim of human injustice, but as the one who absorbed the righteous judgment that humanity, including all "hypocritical nations," deserved. Through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, Christ offers a path to reconciliation, forgiveness, and new life, transforming those who were once "by nature children of wrath" ([Ephesians 2:3](/ephesians/2-3 "Ephesians 2:3 - By Nature Children of Wrath")) into "heirs according to the hope of eternal life" ([Titus 3:7](/titus/3-7 "Titus 3:7 - Heirs According to Hope")). Thus, the terrifying judgment depicted in Isaiah 10:6 foreshadows the even greater, yet redemptive, judgment executed upon Christ, providing salvation and inaugurating a new covenant where true righteousness is imputed through faith, not merely outwardly performed by human effort ([Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 9:17

Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one [is] an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

Jeremiah 34:22

Behold, I will command, saith the LORD, and cause them to return to this city; and they shall fight against it, and take it, and burn it with fire: and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without an inhabitant.

Isaiah 19:17

And the land of Judah shall be a terror unto Egypt, every one that maketh mention thereof shall be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the LORD of hosts, which he hath determined against it.

Jeremiah 47:6

O thou sword of the LORD, how long [will it be] ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.

Jeremiah 47:7

How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it.

Isaiah 37:26

Hast thou not heard long ago, [how] I have done it; [and] of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities [into] ruinous heaps.

Isaiah 37:27

Therefore their inhabitants [were] of small power, they were dismayed and confounded: they were [as] the grass of the field, and [as] the green herb, [as] the grass on the housetops, and [as corn] blasted before it be grown up.