King James Version

What Does Isaiah 10:14 Mean?

Isaiah 10:14 in the King James Version says “And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all ...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.”

Isaiah 10:14 · KJV

Context

12

Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks. punish: Heb. visit upon stout: Heb. greatness of the heart

13

For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures , and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man: a valiant: or, many people

14

And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.

15

Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood. the rod: or, a rod should shake them that lift it up itself, as if: or, that which is not wood

16

Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.

Read Isaiah 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Assyrian boasts of effortless plunder: 'My hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people.' Like gathering unguarded eggs, he collected wealth without resistance. 'None moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped'—no bird defended its nest; no nation resisted his advance. This metaphor of complete helplessness before predatory power reveals both the extent of Assyrian dominance and the king's inflated self-assessment. He attributes this success entirely to his own hand, never acknowledging the divine hand that permitted—and would soon stop—his conquests.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient warfare regularly involved systematic plundering of conquered territories. Assyrian records boast of massive tribute extracted from vassal states. The policy of mass deportation and resettlement broke national resistance, making rebellion seem futile. This economic dominance—combined with military superiority and psychological warfare—created the helplessness Isaiah describes. Yet God had raised up Assyria as His 'rod of anger' (v.5), and would break that rod when His purposes were accomplished (v.12).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does attributing achievements to 'my hand' reveal a heart that has forgotten God's providence?
  2. What does God's use of Assyria teach about how He can accomplish His purposes through ungodly instruments?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַתִּמְצָ֨א1 of 19

“hath found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

כַקֵּ֤ן׀2 of 19

“as a nest”

H7064

a nest (as fixed), sometimes including the nestlings; figuratively, a chamber or dwelling

יָדִי֙3 of 19

“And my hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

לְחֵ֣יל4 of 19

“the riches”

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

הָֽעַמִּ֔ים5 of 19

“of the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אָסָ֑פְתִּי6 of 19

“and as one gathereth”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

בֵּיצִ֣ים7 of 19

“eggs”

H1000

an egg (from its whiteness)

עֲזֻב֔וֹת8 of 19

“that are left”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

כָּל9 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָאָ֖רֶץ10 of 19

“all the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲנִ֣י11 of 19
H589

i

אָסָ֑פְתִּי12 of 19

“and as one gathereth”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

וְלֹ֤א13 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הָיָה֙14 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

נֹדֵ֣ד15 of 19

“and there was none that moved”

H5074

properly, to wave to and fro (rarely to flap up and down); figuratively, to rove, flee, or (causatively) to drive away

כָּנָ֔ף16 of 19

“the wing”

H3671

an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna

וּפֹצֶ֥ה17 of 19

“or opened”

H6475

to rend, i.e., open (especially the mouth)

פֶ֖ה18 of 19

“the mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

וּמְצַפְצֵֽף׃19 of 19

“or peeped”

H6850

to coo or chirp (as a bird)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 10:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 10:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 31:25Habakkuk 2:5-11Proverbs 21:6-7Isaiah 5:8Hosea 12:7-8Obadiah 1:4

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