King James Version

What Does Isaiah 10:6 Mean?

Isaiah 10:6 in the King James Version says “I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“I will send him against an hypocritical 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. tread: Heb. lay them a treading”

Isaiah 10:6 · KJV

Context

4

Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

5

O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. O: or, Woe to the Assyrian: Heb. Asshur and: or, though

6

I will send him against an hypocritical 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. tread: Heb. lay them a treading

7

Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.

8

For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings?

Read Isaiah 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God commissions Assyria against 'an hypocritical nation' (Israel/Judah)—people who maintain religious forms but lack genuine faith. The three imperatives—'take the spoil,' 'take the prey,' 'tread them down'—demonstrate God's sovereign command over Assyria's actions. The phrase 'tread them down like the mire of the streets' emphasizes complete humiliation. God uses Assyria to punish covenant unfaithfulness. This shows that profession without possession, religion without reality, incurs severe judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Despite maintaining temple worship, sacrifices, and religious festivals, Israel and Judah had abandoned genuine covenant faithfulness (Isaiah 1:10-17). Ritual continued while hearts were far from God—textbook hypocrisy. God commissioned Assyria to punish this empty religion. Sennacherib's invasion of Judah (701 BC) and Assyria's earlier conquest of Israel (722 BC) fulfilled this commission precisely.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the difference between religious activity and genuine relationship with God?
  2. How does hypocrisy—maintaining religious forms while rejecting God's heart—provoke divine judgment?
  3. In what ways might our own religious practices be hypocritical rather than heartfelt?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
בְּג֤וֹי1 of 15

“nation”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

חָנֵף֙2 of 15

“him against an hypocritical”

H2611

soiled (i.e., with sin), impious

אֲשַׁלְּחֶ֔נּוּ3 of 15

“I will send”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

וְעַל4 of 15
H5921

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

עַ֥ם5 of 15

“and against the people”

H5971

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

עֶבְרָתִ֖י6 of 15

“of my wrath”

H5678

an outburst of passion

אֲצַוֶּ֑נּוּ7 of 15

“will I give him a charge”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

לִשְׁלֹ֤ל8 of 15

“to take”

H7997

to drop or strip; by implication, to plunder

שָׁלָל֙9 of 15

“the spoil”

H7998

booty

וְלָבֹ֣ז10 of 15

“and to take”

H962

to plunder

בַּ֔ז11 of 15

“the prey”

H957

plunder

וּלְשׂיּמ֥וֹ12 of 15

“and to tread them down”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

מִרְמָ֖ס13 of 15
H4823

abasement (the act or the thing)

כְּחֹ֥מֶר14 of 15

“like the mire”

H2563

properly, a bubbling up, i.e., of water, a wave; hence, a chomer or dry measure

חוּצֽוֹת׃15 of 15

“of the streets”

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

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 10:6 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 10:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 9:17Jeremiah 47:6-7Zechariah 10:5Jeremiah 25:9Isaiah 10:13-14Isaiah 37:26-27

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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