King James Version

What Does Isaiah 10:18 Mean?

Isaiah 10:18 in the King James Version says “And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a st...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standardbearer fainteth. both: Heb. from the soul, and even to the flesh”

Isaiah 10:18 · KJV

Context

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;

18

And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standardbearer fainteth. both: Heb. from the soul, and even to the flesh

19

And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them. few: Heb. number

20

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.

Read Isaiah 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Assyria's glory—forest and fruitful field—will be consumed so thoroughly that what remains can be counted by a child. The double metaphor (forest and fruitful field) suggests both wild strength and cultivated prosperity will be destroyed. The phrase 'both soul and body' indicates comprehensive judgment affecting everything. The hyperbole of remnants being countable by a child emphasizes near-total destruction. This illustrates that no human glory can stand against divine judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

After Sennacherib's army was destroyed (701 BC), Assyria never recovered its former dominance. Though it persisted another century, its power was broken. Final destruction came in 612 BC when Babylon and Medes conquered Nineveh. Archaeological excavations reveal massive destruction—the great Assyrian empire reduced to ruins. What once seemed invincible became so insignificant 'a child might write' the survivors' count.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God humble the apparently invincible and reduce the great to insignificance?
  2. What does this comprehensive judgment teach about the folly of trusting in human power?
  3. How should we view contemporary powers in light of God's track record of humbling empires?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וּכְב֤וֹד1 of 10

“the glory”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

יַעְרוֹ֙2 of 10

“of his forest”

H3293

a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)

וְכַרְמִלּ֔וֹ3 of 10

“and of his fruitful field”

H3759

a planted field (garden, orchard, vineyard or park); by implication, garden produce

מִנֶּ֥פֶשׁ4 of 10

“both soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

וְעַד5 of 10
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

בָּשָׂ֖ר6 of 10

“and body”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

יְכַלֶּ֑ה7 of 10

“And shall consume”

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

וְהָיָ֖ה8 of 10
H1961

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

כִּמְסֹ֥ס9 of 10

“fainteth”

H4549

to liquefy; figuratively, to waste (with disease), to faint (with fatigue, fear or grief)

נֹסֵֽס׃10 of 10

“and they shall be as when a standardbearer”

H5263

to wane, i.e., be sick

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 10:18 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 10:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 19:23Isaiah 10:33-34Jeremiah 21:14Isaiah 9:182 Kings 19:28Ezekiel 20:47-48

Places in This Verse

AssyriaRegion · Modern: Nineveh · 36.36°N, 43.15°E141 verses across 15 books
View all places in Isaiah 10 →

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