King James Version

What Does Isaiah 10:15 Mean?

Isaiah 10:15 in the King James Version says “Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh i...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Isaiah 10:15 · KJV

Context

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.

17

And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day;

Read Isaiah 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God uses devastating analogies to expose Assyria's folly. Can an axe boast against the one wielding it? Can a saw magnify itself against the sawyer? Can a staff and rod wield the one lifting them? The absurdity is obvious—tools don't control those who use them. Assyria is God's tool, yet boasts as if autonomous. This illustrates the creator-creature distinction—humanity, and especially nations, are instruments in God's hands. To boast against God is ultimate folly.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Applied to Assyria but universally applicable to all human pride. Throughout history, nations and individuals forget their dependence on God, claiming autonomous glory. Nebuchadnezzar learned this lesson through humiliation (Daniel 4). Every empire that has boasted against God—Assyria, Babylon, Rome, and modern powers—eventually falls. The pattern validates this principle: creatures cannot successfully defy their Creator.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do the tool analogies help us understand our relationship to God as His instruments?
  2. In what ways do we sometimes act as if we're autonomous rather than dependent on God?
  3. How does remembering we're tools in God's hands produce both humility and purpose?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
הֲיִתְפָּאֵר֙1 of 18

“boast”

H6286

to gleam, i.e., (causatively) embellish; figuratively, to boast; also to explain (i.e., make clear) oneself; to shake a tree

הַגַּרְזֶ֔ן2 of 18

“Shall the axe”

H1631

an axe

עַ֖ל3 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַחֹצֵ֣ב4 of 18

“itself against him that heweth”

H2672

to cut or carve (wood, stone or other material); by implication, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave

בּ֑וֹ5 of 18
H0
אִם6 of 18
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יִתְגַּדֵּ֤ל7 of 18

“magnify”

H1431

to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)

הַמַּשּׂוֹר֙8 of 18

“therewith or shall the saw”

H4883

a saw

עַל9 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כְּהָנִ֥יף10 of 18

“itself against him that shaketh”

H5130

to quiver (i.e., vibrate up and down, or rock to and fro); used in a great variety of applications (including sprinkling, beckoning, rubbing, bastinad

כְּהָנִ֥יף11 of 18

“itself against him that shaketh”

H5130

to quiver (i.e., vibrate up and down, or rock to and fro); used in a great variety of applications (including sprinkling, beckoning, rubbing, bastinad

שֵׁ֙בֶט֙12 of 18

“it as if the rod”

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

וְאֶת13 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כְּהָרִ֥ים14 of 18

“itself against them that lift it up”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

כְּהָרִ֥ים15 of 18

“itself against them that lift it up”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

מַטֶּ֖ה16 of 18

“or as if the staff”

H4294

a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),

לֹא17 of 18
H3808

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

עֵֽץ׃18 of 18

“itself as if it were no wood”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

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 10:15 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 10:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 9:20-21Isaiah 45:9Isaiah 10:5Isaiah 29:16Ezekiel 28:9Jeremiah 51:20-23

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