King James Version

What Does Isaiah 10:24 Mean?

Isaiah 10:24 in the King James Version says “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall s... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt. and shall: or, but he shall lift up his staff for

Isaiah 10:24 · KJV


Context

22

For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. of them: Heb. in, or, among, etc with: or, in

23

For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land.

24

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt. and shall: or, but he shall lift up his staff for

25

For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.

26

And the LORD of hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and as his rod was upon the sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Despite Assyrian threat, God commands His people: 'be not afraid.' The prohibition against fear appears throughout Scripture when God promises deliverance. The address 'O my people that dwellest in Zion' emphasizes covenant relationship—they're God's people with His presence among them (Zion). Though Assyria will 'smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt,' these are temporary afflictions. The Egyptian comparison recalls bondage from which God delivered them—He can do it again.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Delivered before Sennacherib's invasion (701 BC) when the Assyrian threat seemed overwhelming. Despite 185,000 troops besieging Jerusalem, God commanded fearlessness. The fulfillment vindicated this command—God destroyed the army in one night. The Egyptian comparison reminded them of God's past deliverance, encouraging faith that He'd deliver again. Faith in God's character and past works enables courage in present threats.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does remembering God's past deliverances strengthen faith during present threats?
  2. What is the basis for biblical fearlessness—not denying danger but trusting God's promises?
  3. How do our covenant relationship with God and His presence among us address our fears?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
לָכֵ֗ן1 of 19
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

כֹּֽה2 of 19
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֞ר3 of 19

Therefore thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֤י4 of 19

the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִה֙5 of 19
H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֔וֹת6 of 19

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אַל7 of 19
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּירָ֥א8 of 19

be not afraid

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

עַמִּ֛י9 of 19

O my people

H5971

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

יֹשֵׁ֥ב10 of 19

that dwellest

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

צִיּ֖וֹן11 of 19

in Zion

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

מֵֽאַשּׁ֑וּר12 of 19

of the Assyrian

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

בַּשֵּׁ֣בֶט13 of 19

thee with a rod

H7626

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

יַכֶּ֔כָּה14 of 19

he shall smite

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

וּמַטֵּ֥הוּ15 of 19

his staff

H4294

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

יִשָּֽׂא16 of 19

and shall lift up

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

עָלֶ֖יךָ17 of 19
H5921

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

בְּדֶ֥רֶךְ18 of 19

against thee after the manner

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

מִצְרָֽיִם׃19 of 19

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt


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 10:24 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 10:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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