Isaiah 10:9

KJV

[Is] not Calno as Carchemish? [is] not Hamath as Arpad? [is] not Samaria as Damascus?

KJV (with Strong's)

Is not Calno {H3641} as Carchemish {H3751}? is not Hamath {H2574} as Arpad {H774}? is not Samaria {H8111} as Damascus {H1834}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Hasn't Kalno [suffered] like Kark'mish, Hamat like Arpad, Shomron like Dammesek?

Berean Standard Bible

“Is not Calno like Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria like Damascus?

American Standard Version

Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 10:9 captures the audacious boast of the Assyrian king, who, having conquered numerous powerful cities, rhetorically questions the ability of Samaria to resist his might. This verse serves as a stark portrayal of human arrogance and self-exaltation, setting the stage for God's impending judgment on Assyria for its pride, despite having used it as an instrument of divine discipline. It highlights the Assyrian monarch's worldview, where military prowess and human strength are the ultimate arbiters of destiny, oblivious to the sovereign hand of God orchestrating the rise and fall of nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a larger prophetic oracle (Isaiah 10:5-19) that specifically addresses the Assyrian Empire, God's chosen "rod" for punishing Judah and Israel. While Assyria is an instrument in God's hand, its king acts out of his own hubris and ambition, not divine obedience. The preceding verses (Isaiah 10:7-8) reveal the Assyrian king's arrogant intentions to destroy and cut off nations without restraint. Verse 9 then provides concrete examples of his past conquests, forming the basis of his boast. This section culminates in God's declaration that He will punish Assyria's arrogance once His disciplinary work is complete, a divine judgment made clear in [the subsequent verses](/isaiah/10-12 "Isaiah 10:12 - God's Judgment on Assyria's Pride"). The rhetorical questions in verse 9 are a direct manifestation of the Assyrian king's self-aggrandizing spirit, which Isaiah condemns throughout this chapter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The late 8th century BCE was dominated by the rising power of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, which systematically expanded its control across the Near East. Cities like Calno, Carchemish, Hamath, Arpad, and Damascus were significant regional powers that had indeed fallen to Assyrian military campaigns, particularly under Tiglath-Pileser III and Sargon II. Carchemish, a major Hittite city on the Euphrates, controlled vital trade routes. Hamath and Arpad were important Syrian city-states, and Damascus was the capital of Aram, a formidable rival to Israel and Judah, which fell to Tiglath-Pileser III in 732 BCE. Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, was besieged and ultimately fell to Assyria in 722 BCE, leading to the exile of its inhabitants, a significant event detailed in [the historical accounts of 2 Kings](/2_kings/17-6 "2 Kings 17:6 - The Fall of Samaria and Israel's Exile"). The Assyrian king's boast reflects the common practice of ancient Near Eastern monarchs to list their conquests as proof of their divine favor and irresistible power, often inscribed on monuments.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 10:9 powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent in Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is **Assyrian Arrogance and Hubris**, as the king attributes his overwhelming victories solely to his own strength and wisdom, dismissing the sovereignty of any other power, human or divine. This contrasts sharply with the theme of **God's Absolute Sovereignty Over Nations**, where Assyria, despite its might, is merely an unwitting tool in God's hand, a "rod" or "axe," as described earlier in [this very chapter](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5 - Assyria as God's Instrument"). The verse also highlights the **Futility of Human Power Apart from God**, demonstrating that even the most formidable empires are ultimately subject to divine will and judgment. Finally, the inclusion of Samaria foreshadows the **Impending Judgment on Israel**, serving as a stark reminder of the consequences of their apostasy and idolatry, which would lead to their downfall at the hands of this very Assyrian power.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Calno (Hebrew, _Kalneh'_):** A city mentioned alongside other conquered territories, likely located in Mesopotamia. Its inclusion here emphasizes the vast geographical reach of Assyrian conquests, demonstrating the king's claim to have subdued distant and powerful centers. The rhetorical question implies that if Calno fell, so too would any other city.
* **Damascus (Hebrew, _Dammeseq'_):** The capital of Aram, a significant and historically powerful kingdom that had frequently challenged Israel and Judah. Its conquest by Assyria (732 BCE) was a major geopolitical event, signaling Assyria's dominance over Syria. By equating Samaria with Damascus, the Assyrian king asserts that Samaria's fate is sealed, just as Damascus's was.
* **Samaria (Hebrew, _Shômᵉrôwn'_):** The capital city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Its name, meaning "watch-station," reflects its strategic elevated position. For the Assyrian king, Samaria was just another city on his path of conquest, no different from the other fallen capitals. For Isaiah's audience, however, Samaria represented their kin, whose impending fall served as a grim warning of God's judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Is not Calno as Carchemish?"**: This opening rhetorical question immediately establishes the Assyrian king's boast. He points to Calno and Carchemish, both significant cities that had fallen to his forces, implying that their conquest demonstrates an irresistible power. The comparison suggests a shared fate: if one fell, the other was equally vulnerable.
* **"is not Hamath as Arpad?"**: Continuing the pattern, the king cites the fall of Hamath and Arpad, two prominent Syrian cities. This further reinforces his claim of unparalleled military supremacy, showcasing his consistent success against powerful regional centers and creating an undeniable pattern of conquest in his own mind.
* **"is not Samaria as Damascus?"**: This final rhetorical question brings the boast directly to Israel's doorstep. Damascus, a powerful capital, had already fallen to Assyrian might. By equating Samaria with Damascus, the Assyrian king dismisses any notion of Samaria's unique strength or divine protection, arrogantly asserting that its destruction is as inevitable as that of Damascus, a city already vanquished.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Isaiah 10:9 is **Rhetorical Question** (also known as *erotesis*). The series of questions are not posed to elicit information, but rather to make a forceful assertion of the Assyrian king's perceived invincibility and the inevitability of Samaria's defeat. Each question implies a self-evident "Yes!" from the speaker's perspective, demonstrating his utter confidence and contempt for any potential resistance. This is further enhanced by **Parallelism**, where each clause follows a similar "Is not X as Y?" structure, creating a rhythmic and emphatic declaration of conquest. The cumulative effect of these rhetorical questions and their parallel structure is to convey the Assyrian king's immense **Hubris** and **Arrogance**, setting up the divine judgment that will inevitably follow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 10:9 profoundly underscores the biblical theme of divine sovereignty over human power and pride. The Assyrian king's boast, while seemingly unchallengeable from a human perspective, is ultimately revealed as hollow in the grand narrative of God's redemptive plan. God uses nations, even wicked ones like Assyria, as instruments for His purposes, but He never condones their sin or pride. The fall of these mighty cities, and the impending fall of Samaria, are not merely the result of Assyrian military might, but are orchestrated by God to bring about His righteous judgment and to refine His people. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that all earthly power is ephemeral and subject to the will of the Almighty, who "brings princes to nothing and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness," a truth powerfully articulated in [Isaiah 40:23](/isaiah/40-23 "Isaiah 40:23 - God's Sovereignty Over Rulers").

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction"): "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This proverb directly speaks to the Assyrian king's arrogance and foreshadows his ultimate downfall.
* [Daniel 4:34-35](/daniel/4-34 "Daniel 4:34-35 - Nebuchadnezzar's Confession of God's Sovereignty"): King Nebuchadnezzar's eventual confession that God's "dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing" echoes the truth that the Assyrian king failed to grasp.
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Opposes the Proud"): "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." This New Testament principle directly applies to the Assyrian king's attitude and God's response to it.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 10:9 challenges us to critically examine the sources of our own confidence and to whom we attribute our successes. In a world that often celebrates self-reliance, strength, and material achievements, this verse serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of hubris. It calls us to recognize that all power, ability, and success ultimately flow from God's hand. When we boast in our own accomplishments, our wealth, our intellect, or our nation's might, we echo the Assyrian king's fatal flaw. True wisdom and security are found not in human strength, but in humble dependence on God's unchanging sovereignty. This passage encourages us to cultivate a spirit of humility, acknowledging God as the ultimate orchestrator of history and the source of all good things, thereby avoiding the spiritual pitfalls that led to Assyria's eventual demise.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to rely solely on my own strength or wisdom, rather than acknowledging God's sovereignty?**
* **How does the Assyrian king's boast challenge my own understanding of power, success, and control in the world today?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper sense of humility and dependence on God in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of the cities mentioned in Isaiah 10:9?**

Answer: The cities mentioned—Calno, Carchemish, Hamath, Arpad, and Damascus—were all significant regional powers that had fallen to the Assyrian Empire. Their inclusion in the Assyrian king's boast was meant to demonstrate the overwhelming and irresistible nature of his military might. Calno and Carchemish were important centers in Mesopotamia and on the Euphrates, respectively. Hamath and Arpad were key Syrian city-states, and Damascus was the formidable capital of Aram. By listing these conquered cities, the Assyrian king sought to establish a pattern of inevitable conquest, implying that Samaria (the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel) would be no different. Their fall served as historical proof of Assyria's dominance and the futility of resistance, from the Assyrian perspective.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 10:9, with its depiction of an arrogant earthly king boasting in his conquests, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the stark contrast between human pride and divine humility, culminating in the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. The Assyrian king's self-exaltation stands in direct opposition to the character of Christ, who, "though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant," as [the apostle Paul beautifully describes in Philippians](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6-7 - Christ's Humility"). While the Assyrian king conquered through brute force and destruction, Jesus conquered sin and death through self-sacrifice on the cross, establishing a spiritual kingdom that transcends all earthly empires, a profound truth articulated in [the letter to the Colossians](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers"). The transient nature of Assyria's conquests, despite the king's boast, points to the enduring and unshakable nature of Christ's reign, which is not built on human might but on divine love and righteousness, mirroring the [prophecy of Daniel](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - The Everlasting Dominion of the Son of Man"). Ultimately, the fall of all proud earthly powers, foreshadowed by Assyria's eventual judgment, serves to highlight the singular, eternal, and truly sovereign rule of the King of kings, Jesus Christ, who alone is worthy of all glory and honor, as proclaimed in [the book of Revelation](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords").

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

2 Chronicles 35:20

¶ After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.

2 Kings 16:9

And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried [the people of] it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.

Jeremiah 46:2

Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah.

Genesis 10:10

And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

Amos 6:1

¶ Woe to them [that are] at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, [which are] named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!

Amos 6:2

Pass ye unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath the great: then go down to Gath of the Philistines: [be they] better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border?

2 Kings 17:5

Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years.