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Isaiah 10:4

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 10:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They shall only bow down under the prisoners, and shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They shall only bow down under the prisoners, and shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Isaiah 10:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 10

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and to the writers that write perverseness;
2to turn aside the needy from justice, and to rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows may be their spoil, and that they may make the fatherless their prey!
3And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?
4They shall only bow down under the prisoners, and shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
5Ho Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, the staff in whose hand is mine indignation!
6I 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.
7Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few.
← Isaiah 10:3Isaiah 10:5 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain, &c.] That is, either, being forsaken by me, and destitute of my help, they shall bow down; or, “because they are without me”, are not my people, and do not hearken to me, therefore they shall bow down, so David Kimchi; or, were it not for me, they would, as others; or that they might not bow down and fall; and so the words may be connected with the preceding verse (<231003>Isaiah 10:3): others render the word, translated “without me, besides”; and the sense is either, as Moses Kimchi, besides their bowing in their own land, when subdued by the Gentiles, a greater affliction shall befall them, captivity;…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Without me--not having Me to "flee to" (Isa 10:3). bow down--Bereft of strength they shall fall; or else, they shall lie down fettered. under . . . under--rather, "among" (literally, "in the place of") [HORSLEY]. The "under" may be, however, explained, "trodden under the (feet of the) prisoners going into captivity," and "overwhelmed under the heaps of slain on the battlefield" [MAURER].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Without me - בלתי biltı̂y. There has been a great variety of interpretation affixed to this expression. The sense in which our translators understood it was, evidently, that they should be forsaken of God; and that, as the effect of this, they should bow down under the condition of captives, or among the slain. The Vulgate and the Septuagint, however. and many interpreters understand the word bore as a simple negative. ‘Where will you flee for refuge? Where will you deposit your wealth so as not to bow down under a chain?’ Vulgate, Ne incurvemini sub vinculo. Septuagint, Τοῦ μὴ ἐμπεσεῖν εἰς ἀπαγωνήν tou mē empesein eis apagōnēn - ‘Not to fall into captivity.’ The Hebrew will bear…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Without me - Without my favour and help, which you have forfeited. Shall bow down - Notwithstanding all your succours. Isaiah 10:5”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Without me: Lev 26:17, Lev 26:36, Lev 26:37; Deu 31:15-18, Deu 32:30; Jer 37:10; Hos 9:12 For all this: Isa 5:25, Isa 9:12, Isa 9:17, Isa 9:21 Isaiah 10:5”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification