Isaiah 9:10

KJV

The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change [them into] cedars.

KJV (with Strong's)

The bricks {H3843} are fallen down {H5307}, but we will build {H1129} with hewn stones {H1496}: the sycomores {H8256} are cut down {H1438}, but we will change {H2498} them into cedars {H730}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with cut stone; the sycamore-fig trees have been chopped down, but we will replace them with cedars."

Berean Standard Bible

“The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with finished stone; the sycamores have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.”

American Standard Version

The bricks are fallen, but we will build with hewn stone; the sycomores are cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 9:10 presents a stark declaration of defiance from the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) in response to God's disciplinary judgments. Rather than humbling themselves and seeking the Lord after experiencing destruction and setbacks, the people boastfully proclaim their intention to rebuild their society and infrastructure with superior materials and greater human ingenuity. This verse encapsulates their profound pride, self-reliance, and stubborn refusal to acknowledge divine sovereignty, setting the stage for further divine judgment due to their unrepentant heart.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 9:10 is embedded within a larger prophetic oracle spanning [Isaiah 9:8-10:4](/isaiah/9 "Isaiah 9:8-10:4 - God's Judgment on Israel's Pride"). This section immediately follows the famous prophecy of the coming Messiah in [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - Prophecy of the Messiah's Reign"), highlighting a stark contrast between God's gracious promise and Israel's rebellious reality. The oracle begins with God sending a "word" (judgment) against Jacob/Israel ([Isaiah 9:8](/isaiah/9-8 "Isaiah 9:8 - God's Word of Judgment")), describing the initial destruction they experienced. Verse 10 serves as Israel's arrogant reply to this divine discipline, demonstrating their unyielding spirit and determination to overcome adversity through their own strength, rather than turning to the Lord. This defiance is then shown to provoke further, more severe judgment from God, culminating in the declaration that "for all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still" ([Isaiah 9:12](/isaiah/9-12 "Isaiah 9:12 - God's Unrelenting Anger")). The entire oracle underscores the theme of divine judgment against unrepentant pride.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy is directed primarily at the northern kingdom of Israel, often referred to as Ephraim, during a period of significant political instability and Assyrian encroachment in the 8th century BCE. The "bricks" and "sycomores" represent the common, less durable building materials typical of ordinary Israelite construction, especially in rural or less affluent areas. Bricks were often sun-dried, and sycamore wood was readily available but inferior in quality and durability. In contrast, "hewn stones" (or dressed stones) signified more expensive, permanent, and prestigious construction, often associated with public buildings or the homes of the wealthy. "Cedars" (specifically, cedars of Lebanon) were highly prized for their strength, fragrance, and resistance to decay, used in monumental structures like Solomon's Temple ([1_kings/5](/1_kings/5 "1 Kings 5 - Solomon Prepares to Build the Temple")) and royal palaces. The boast of replacing inferior materials with superior ones was a cultural statement of resilience, wealth, and unyielding determination to rebuild grander and stronger, without acknowledging the divine source of their calamities or their need for repentance. This attitude was common in the ancient Near East, where nations often attributed their successes or failures to their own strength or the favor of their gods.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several major themes within Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. The most prominent is **Defiance and Pride**, as Israel's declaration "we will build... we will change" directly opposes God's disciplinary intent. Instead of humility and repentance, there is an escalation of arrogance. This leads to the theme of **Self-Reliance vs. God's Sovereignty**, where human effort and ingenuity are elevated above divine power and purpose. The passage implicitly critiques the folly of human autonomy, especially in the face of a sovereign God who orchestrates events ([Psalm 127:1](/psalms/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - The Lord Builds the House")). Furthermore, it highlights the **Consequences of Unrepentant Rebellion**, demonstrating that stubbornness in sin only invites further and more severe divine judgment, rather than the desired restoration. This is a recurring motif in the prophets, where pride consistently precedes a fall ([Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Before Destruction")). Finally, the focus on material rebuilding with superior resources underscores a theme of **Worldly Security and Materialism**, where the nation places its trust in physical strength and economic prosperity rather than in a right relationship with God ([Jeremiah 17:5](/jeremiah/17-5 "Jeremiah 17:5 - Cursed is the One Who Trusts in Man")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **build (Hebrew, _bânâh'_):** This primitive root signifies to construct, erect, or establish, both literally (as in building a house or city) and figuratively (as in establishing a family or nation). In Isaiah 9:10, its use in "we will build" emphasizes human agency and determination to reconstruct what God has torn down, highlighting a self-reliant spirit that bypasses divine will.
* **hewn stones (Hebrew, _gâzîyth'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to cut," this term specifically refers to stone that has been cut, dressed, or shaped, as opposed to rough, unworked stone or simple bricks. Its presence here signifies a deliberate choice for superior, more durable, and more expensive materials, symbolizing Israel's intent to not merely rebuild, but to upgrade and enhance their infrastructure, showcasing their perceived strength and resilience.
* **change (Hebrew, _châlaph'_):** This versatile primitive root carries meanings of sliding by, hastening away, passing on, springing up, piercing, or changing/alter. In this context, "we will change" implies a deliberate act of substitution and transformation, replacing the inferior sycamore wood with the superior cedar. It conveys a proactive, defiant decision to overcome adversity by replacing weakness with strength, again emphasizing human initiative and a refusal to accept their humbled state.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The bricks are fallen down,"**: This clause describes the initial state of devastation and judgment. "Bricks" (lᵉbênâh) represent common, sun-dried, and less durable construction, symbolizing the vulnerability and fragility of Israel's human-made security and structures under divine judgment. Their collapse signifies God's hand in dismantling their societal foundations.
* **"but we will build with hewn stones:"**: This is the first declaration of defiance. The conjunction "but" introduces a direct contrast to the preceding destruction. "We will build" asserts human autonomy and resolve. "Hewn stones" (gâzîyth) symbolize a deliberate choice for superior, more permanent, and prestigious materials, reflecting Israel's arrogant determination to not just restore, but to improve and solidify their strength through their own efforts, ignoring the divine source of their calamity.
* **"the sycomores are cut down,"**: This clause reiterates the theme of destruction, focusing on another common and less valuable material. "Sycomores" (shiqmâh) were fast-growing, soft-wooded trees, often used for common structures or by the poor. Their felling signifies a further aspect of the judgment, stripping away their everyday resources and comforts.
* **"but we will change [them into] cedars."**: This is the second declaration of defiance, mirroring the first. "We will change" again emphasizes human agency and a proactive stance against adversity. "Cedars" (ʼerez), specifically cedars of Lebanon, were highly prized, durable, and majestic trees used for grand, significant constructions. This boast signifies Israel's intention to replace common, humble resources with luxurious, formidable ones, demonstrating their unyielding pride and belief in their ability to overcome divine discipline through their own superior resources and determination.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 9:10 is rich in **Symbolism**, where the materials themselves carry profound meaning. "Bricks" and "sycomores" symbolize the common, vulnerable, and ultimately perishable human efforts and structures that God has judged. In stark contrast, "hewn stones" and "cedars" symbolize human pride, self-sufficiency, and the arrogant attempt to build a grander, more resilient future purely by human strength and resources, without God. The verse also employs **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous and antithetical parallelism, in its structure: "bricks fallen down" is paralleled by "sycomores cut down" (destruction), which is then antithetically paralleled by "build with hewn stones" and "change into cedars" (defiant rebuilding). This structural repetition emphasizes the consistent pattern of destruction followed by human defiance. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Irony** in the verse. Israel's boast to build back stronger and grander through their own efforts is ultimately futile and self-defeating. Their attempt to achieve greater security through human means actually provokes further divine judgment, leading to greater destruction, thereby undermining their very intention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 9:10 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of human pride and its inevitable clash with divine sovereignty. It illustrates the dangerous human tendency to interpret adversity as a mere setback to be overcome by greater personal effort and ingenuity, rather than as an invitation to repentance and reliance on God. The nation's boastful self-sufficiency reveals a heart that refuses to acknowledge God's hand in their circumstances, preferring to trust in their own strength, resources, and plans. This attitude is a direct affront to God's authority and purpose, demonstrating a spiritual blindness that prioritizes outward appearance and earthly security over spiritual humility and a right relationship with the Creator. The verse highlights that true and lasting restoration does not come from human ambition or material superiority, but from a humble turning to the Lord, recognizing that all genuine building and flourishing ultimately depend on His grace and power.

* [Psalm 127:1](/psalms/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord Builds")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride and Destruction")
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Resists the Proud")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 9:10 offers a timeless warning against the perils of human pride and self-reliance, a temptation that transcends ancient Israel and resonates deeply in every age. When faced with personal failures, societal crises, or even divine discipline, our natural inclination can be to double down on our own efforts, to rebuild our lives, careers, or communities with "hewn stones" of our own making—more robust plans, greater financial investment, enhanced security measures—all without genuinely seeking God's wisdom or acknowledging His sovereign hand. This verse challenges us to examine our hearts: do we see setbacks as opportunities for deeper dependence on God, or as challenges to our own ingenuity and resilience? True strength and lasting peace are found not in our ability to overcome every obstacle by sheer will or superior resources, but in humbling ourselves before the Lord, confessing our limitations, and trusting Him to rebuild and restore in His way and for His glory. It calls us to shift our focus from what "we will build" to what God desires to build in and through us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to rely on my own strength and resources rather than seeking God's guidance, especially after experiencing setbacks?**
* **How do I respond to adversity: with defiant self-sufficiency, or with humble repentance and a renewed dependence on God?**
* **What "hewn stones" or "cedars" am I trying to build with, that might be preventing me from truly trusting in God's provision and plan?**
* **How can I cultivate a spirit of humility and dependence on God in my daily life, recognizing His sovereignty in all circumstances?**

### FAQ
**What was the specific nature of Israel's defiance in Isaiah 9:10?**

Answer: Israel's defiance was primarily expressed through their unyielding pride and self-reliance in the face of divine judgment. God had sent calamities (symbolized by fallen bricks and cut-down sycomores) as a disciplinary measure to humble them and call them to repentance. However, instead of turning to Him, they boastfully declared their intention to rebuild their society and infrastructure with superior materials—"hewn stones" and "cedars"—signifying their determination to overcome adversity through their own human strength, ingenuity, and resources, completely ignoring God's hand and His call for spiritual renewal. This was a direct rejection of divine authority and a preference for human autonomy.

**Why is the contrast between building materials so significant in this verse?**

Answer: The contrast between "bricks" and "hewn stones," and "sycomores" and "cedars," is highly significant because it symbolizes the qualitative leap Israel intended to make in their rebuilding efforts. "Bricks" (often sun-dried) and "sycomores" (common, soft wood) represented inferior, less durable, and less valuable materials, typical of ordinary or even impoverished construction. "Hewn stones" (dressed, cut stone) and "cedars" (prized, durable wood from Lebanon) represented superior, expensive, and prestigious materials used for monumental and grand structures. This was not merely about rebuilding; it was about rebuilding *better* and *stronger* than before, a defiant statement of their perceived invincibility and their ability to overcome any challenge through their own wealth and power, without any need for divine intervention or repentance. It underscored their materialism and pride.

**Does God really "send" judgment, and how does this relate to His character?**

Answer: Yes, the Bible, particularly the prophetic books like Isaiah, clearly teaches that God sends judgment as a consequence of sin and rebellion. In [Isaiah 9:8](/isaiah/9-8 "Isaiah 9:8 - God's Word of Judgment"), it states, "The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel." This judgment is not arbitrary or malicious; rather, it is an expression of God's holiness, justice, and love. As a loving Father, God disciplines His children ([Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God's Discipline")) to lead them to repentance and restore them to a right relationship with Him. When His people stubbornly refuse to acknowledge Him and persist in sin, His judgments serve as a necessary, though painful, means to expose their idolatry and call them back to Himself. This demonstrates His unwavering commitment to righteousness and His ultimate desire for His people's good, even when it requires severe measures.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 9:10, with its depiction of human defiance and the futile attempt to rebuild through self-reliance, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the contrast between humanity's fallen efforts and God's perfect work of redemption in Jesus Christ. Israel's boast to rebuild with "hewn stones" and "cedars" highlights the futility of human attempts to establish lasting security and glory apart from God. In contrast, Christ is the true "hewn stone," the [cornerstone](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone") rejected by human builders but chosen by God, upon whom the true and eternal spiritual temple is built ([1_peter/2-4](/1_peter/2-4 "1 Peter 2:4 - Living Stones and the Cornerstone")). While Israel sought to replace common wood with cedars, Christ Himself is the "tree of life" ([revelation/22-2](/revelation/22-2 "Revelation 22:2 - The Tree of Life")), the source of eternal life and true flourishing, far surpassing any earthly material. The humanistic cry of "we will build" is met by God's divine declaration, "I will build my church" ([matthew/16-18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Jesus Builds His Church")), a structure not made with human hands, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. Through His death and resurrection, Christ tore down the old, fallen structures of sin and death, not for us to rebuild them with our own prideful efforts, but to raise us up into a new creation, a spiritual house founded on His finished work ([2_corinthians/5-17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). Thus, Isaiah 9:10 ultimately points to the profound truth that true and lasting restoration, security, and glory are found not in human self-sufficiency, but solely in the redemptive and transformative power of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate Builder and the very foundation of God's eternal kingdom.

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

Malachi 1:4

Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.

1 Kings 10:27

And the king made silver [to be] in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he [to be] as the sycomore trees that [are] in the vale, for abundance.

1 Kings 7:9

All these [were of] costly stones, according to the measures of hewed stones, sawed with saws, within and without, even from the foundation unto the coping, and [so] on the outside toward the great court.

1 Kings 7:12

And the great court round about [was] with three rows of hewed stones, and a row of cedar beams, both for the inner court of the house of the LORD, and for the porch of the house.