Isaiah 10:13
New International Version
For he says: “’By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, because I have understanding. I removed the boundaries of nations, I plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their kings.

New Living Translation
He boasts, “By my own powerful arm I have done this. With my own shrewd wisdom I planned it. I have broken down the defenses of nations and carried off their treasures. I have knocked down their kings like a bull.

English Standard Version
For he says: “By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding; I remove the boundaries of peoples, and plunder their treasures; like a bull I bring down those who sit on thrones.

Berean Standard Bible
For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, for I am clever. I have removed the boundaries of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their rulers.

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
For he says: “By the strength of my hand I have done it, And by my wisdom, for I am prudent; Also I have removed the boundaries of the people, And have robbed their treasuries; So I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man.

New American Standard Bible
For he has said, “By the power of my hand and by my wisdom I did this, Because I have understanding; And I removed the boundaries of the peoples And plundered their treasures, And like a powerful man I brought down their inhabitants,

NASB 1995
For he has said, “By the power of my hand and by my wisdom I did this, For I have understanding; And I removed the boundaries of the peoples And plundered their treasures, And like a mighty man I brought down their inhabitants,

NASB 1977
For he has said, “By the power of my hand and by my wisdom I did this, For I have understanding; And I removed the boundaries of the peoples, And plundered their treasures, And like a mighty man I brought down their inhabitants,

Legacy Standard Bible
For he has said, “By the power of my hand and by my wisdom I did this, For I have understanding; And I removed the boundaries of the peoples And plundered their treasures, And like a mighty man I brought down their inhabitants,

Amplified Bible
For the Assyrian king has said, “I have done this by the power of my [own] hand and by my wisdom, For I have understanding and skill. I have removed the boundaries of the peoples And have plundered their treasures; Like a bull I have brought down those who sat on thrones.

Christian Standard Bible
For he said: I have done this by my own strength and wisdom, for I am clever. I abolished the borders of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty warrior, I subjugated the inhabitants.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For he said: I have done this by my own strength and wisdom, for I am clever. I abolished the borders of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty warrior, I subjugated the inhabitants.

American Standard Version
For he hath said, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I have understanding: and I have removed the bounds of the peoples, and have robbed their treasures, and like a valiant man I have brought down them that sit on thrones:

Contemporary English Version
who says: I did these things by my own power because I am smart and clever. I attacked kings like a wild bull, and I took the land and the treasures of their nations.

English Revised Version
For he hath said, 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 peoples, and have robbed their treasures, and I have brought down as a valiant man them that sit on thrones:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The king will say, "I did this with my own two powerful hands. I did this with my wisdom, because I am so clever. I've eliminated the boundaries of nations. I've looted treasuries. I've brought down people like a mighty man.

Good News Translation
The emperor of Assyria boasts, "I have done it all myself. I am strong and wise and clever. I wiped out the boundaries between nations and took the supplies they had stored. Like a bull I have trampled the people who live there.

International Standard Version
He keeps bragging: 'I've done it by the strength of my hand, and by my wisdom, because I'm so clever. I removed the boundaries of peoples, and plundered their treasures; like a bull I brought down those who sat on thrones.

Majority Standard Bible
For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, for I am clever. I have removed the boundaries of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their rulers.

NET Bible
For he says: "By my strong hand I have accomplished this, by my strategy that I devised. I invaded the territory of nations, and looted their storehouses. Like a mighty conqueror, I brought down rulers.

New Heart English Bible
For he has said, "By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I have understanding: and I have removed the boundaries of the peoples, and have robbed their treasures. Like a valiant man I have brought down their rulers.

Webster's Bible Translation
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:

World English Bible
For he has said, “By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding. I have removed the boundaries of the peoples, and have robbed their treasures. Like a valiant man I have brought down their rulers.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For he has said, “I have worked by the power of my hand, "" And by my wisdom, for I have been intelligent, "" And I remove borders of the peoples, "" And I have spoiled their chief ones, "" And I put down the inhabitants as a mighty one,

Young's Literal Translation
For he hath said, 'By the power of my hand I have wrought, And by my wisdom, for I have been intelligent, And I remove borders of the peoples, And their chief ones I have spoiled, And I put down as a mighty one the inhabitants,

Smith's Literal Translation
For he said, By strength of my hand I did, and by my wisdom, for I was discreet: and I will remove the bounds of the people, and their things prepared I plundered, and I will bring down as a strong one the inhabitants.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For he hath said: By the strength of my own hand I have done it, and by my own wisdom I have understood: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have taken the spoils of the princes, and as a mighty man hath pulled down them that sat on high.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For he has said: “I have acted with the strength of my own hand, and I have understood with my own wisdom, and I have removed the limits of the people, and I have plundered their leaders, and, like one with power, I have pulled down those residing on high.

New American Bible
For he says: “By my own power I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I am shrewd. I have moved the boundaries of peoples, their treasures I have pillaged, and, like a mighty one, I have brought down the enthroned.

New Revised Standard Version
For he says: “By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding; I have removed the boundaries of peoples, and have plundered their treasures; like a bull I have brought down those who sat on thrones.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For he has said, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent, and I have removed the boundaries of the nations, and I have plundered their wealth, and subjugated the inhabited cities;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because he said, “By the power of my hand I have performed and by my wisdom; because I am intelligent, I have crossed the borders of the Gentiles and I plundered their wealth and I overthrew the cities that they inhabited
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For he hath said: By the strength of my hand I have done it, And by my wisdom, for I am prudent; In that I have removed the bounds of the peoples, And have robbed their treasures, And have brought down as one mighty the inhabitants;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For he said, I will act in strength, and in the wisdom of my understanding I will remove the boundaries of nations, and will spoil their strength.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judgment on Assyria
12So when the Lord has completed all His work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, He will say, “I will punish the king of Assyria for the fruit of his arrogant heart and the proud look in his eyes. 13For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, for I am clever. I have removed the boundaries of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their rulers. 14My hand reached as into a nest to seize the wealth of the nations. Like one gathering abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth. No wing fluttered, no beak opened or chirped.’ ”…

Cross References
Daniel 4:30
the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?”

Ezekiel 28:2
“Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre that this is what the Lord GOD says: Your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea.’ Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god.

Habakkuk 1:11
Then they sweep by like the wind and pass through. They are guilty; their own strength is their god.”

2 Kings 19:22-28
Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! / Through your servants you have taunted the Lord, and you have said: “With my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, to the remote peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the finest of its cypresses. I have reached its farthest outposts, the densest of its forests. / I have dug wells and drunk foreign waters. With the soles of my feet I have dried up all the streams of Egypt.” ...

2 Chronicles 32:15-19
So now, do not let Hezekiah deceive you, and do not let him mislead you like this. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or from the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you from my hand!” / And the servants of Sennacherib spoke further against the LORD God and against His servant Hezekiah. / He also wrote letters mocking the LORD, the God of Israel, and saying against Him: “Just as the gods of the nations did not deliver their people from my hand, so the God of Hezekiah will not deliver His people from my hand.” ...

Jeremiah 48:29
We have heard of Moab’s pomposity, his exceeding pride and conceit, his proud arrogance and haughtiness of heart.

Obadiah 1:3-4
The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks whose habitation is the heights, who say in your heart, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ / Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.

Zephaniah 2:15
This carefree city that dwells securely, that thinks to herself: “I am it, and there is none besides me,” what a ruin she has become, a resting place for beasts. Everyone who passes by her hisses and shakes his fist.

Isaiah 37:23-29
Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! / Through your servants you have taunted the Lord, and you have said: “With my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, to the remote peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the finest of its cypresses. I have reached its farthest heights, the densest of its forests. / I have dug wells and drunk foreign waters. With the soles of my feet I have dried up all the streams of Egypt.” ...

Isaiah 14:13-14
You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”

Isaiah 36:20
Who among all the gods of these lands has delivered his land from my hand? How then can the LORD deliver Jerusalem from my hand?”

Isaiah 37:10-13
“Give this message to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you by saying that Jerusalem will not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. / Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Will you then be spared? / Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar? ...

Ezekiel 29:3
Speak to him and tell him that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Pharaoh king of Egypt, O great monster who lies among his rivers, who says, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it myself.’

Job 31:24-25
If I have put my trust in gold or called pure gold my security, / if I have rejoiced in my great wealth because my hand had gained so much,

Psalm 10:3-4
For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD. / In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God.


Treasury of Scripture

For he said, 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:

for he saith

Isaiah 10:8
For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings?

Isaiah 37:23,24
Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel…

Deuteronomy 8:17
And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.

I have removed

2 Kings 15:29
In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.

2 Kings 17:6,24
In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes…

2 Kings 18:11,32
And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes: …

robbed

2 Kings 16:8
And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria.

2 Kings 18:15
And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house.

Hosea 13:15,16
Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels…

a valiant man.

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Boundaries Bounds Bull Dust Hand Inhabitants Intelligent Limits Mighty Nations Peoples Plundered Prudent Removed Robbed Rulers Sat Sending Sit Stores Strength Subdued Thrones Towns Treasures Understanding Valiant Wealth Wisdom Wise
Isaiah 10
1. The woe of tyrants
5. Assyria, the rod of hypocrites, for its pride shall be broken
20. A remnant of Israel shall be saved
23. Judah is comforted with promise of deliverance from Assyria














For he says
This phrase introduces the speaker, who is the king of Assyria. In the context of Isaiah 10, God is using Assyria as an instrument of judgment against Israel. The phrase sets the stage for the arrogance and pride that will be expressed by the Assyrian king. Historically, Assyria was a dominant empire known for its military prowess and conquests, often attributing its success to its own strength rather than acknowledging any divine sovereignty.

By the strength of my hand
The king of Assyria attributes his military success to his own power. The Hebrew word for "strength" here is "koach," which implies physical power and might. This reflects a common human tendency to rely on one's own abilities and achievements, forgetting that all power ultimately comes from God. In a broader biblical context, this serves as a reminder of the dangers of pride and self-reliance.

I have done this
This phrase emphasizes the king's belief in his own capabilities. The Hebrew verb "asah" means "to do" or "to make," indicating action and accomplishment. The king's statement is a declaration of self-sufficiency, ignoring the role of divine providence. This attitude is contrasted with the biblical teaching that God is the ultimate source of all accomplishments.

and by my wisdom
Here, the king claims intellectual superiority as the reason for his success. The Hebrew word "chokmah" is used for "wisdom," which in the biblical sense often refers to skillful living in accordance with God's will. However, the king's wisdom is self-centered and devoid of divine guidance, highlighting the folly of human wisdom when it is detached from God.

for I have understanding
The king boasts of his discernment and insight. The Hebrew word "binah" is used for "understanding," which involves perception and insight. In the biblical narrative, true understanding comes from God, and human understanding is limited. The king's claim is a reflection of his arrogance and failure to recognize God's sovereignty.

I removed the boundaries of nations
This phrase refers to the king's conquests and expansion of his empire. Historically, Assyria was known for its aggressive expansion and redrawing of territorial boundaries. The act of removing boundaries symbolizes the king's disregard for the established order and divine boundaries set by God. It serves as a metaphor for overstepping divine limits.

I plundered their treasures
The king boasts of his ability to seize wealth from conquered nations. The act of plundering is a common practice in ancient warfare, where victors would take spoils from the defeated. This reflects the king's materialistic focus and greed, contrasting with the biblical teaching that true treasure is found in spiritual riches and obedience to God.

like a mighty one
The king compares himself to a powerful warrior or hero. The Hebrew word "abir" is used here, often translated as "mighty" or "strong." This self-comparison reveals the king's inflated self-image and desire for glory. In the biblical context, true might is found in humility and reliance on God's strength.

I subdued their rulers
The king claims to have overpowered the leaders of other nations. The act of subduing rulers signifies complete domination and control. Historically, Assyrian kings were known for their ruthless treatment of conquered leaders. This statement underscores the king's pride and belief in his invincibility, ignoring the biblical truth that God is the ultimate ruler over all nations and their leaders.

(13) For he saith, By the strength of my hand . . .--Another reproduction of the style of the royal inscriptions of Assyria. (Comp. Isaiah 37:10-13.)

I have removed the bounds of the people.--The practice has, of course, more or less characterised the conquerors of all ages in their attempts to merge independent nationalities into one great empire; but it was pursued more systematically by Assyria than by most others. To be "a remover of boundaries and landmarks "was the title in which an Assyrian king most exulted. (Comp. inscription of Rimmon-nirari, in Smith's Assyrian Discoveries, pp. 243, 244. Records of the Past, xi. 3).

I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man.--Better, I have put down those that sat firmly. The Hebrew word for "valiant man" means primarily a "bull," and then figuratively, as in Isa xxxiv, 7; Psalm 22:12, a "mighty one." The fact that the bull appears so frequently in Assyrian monuments as a symbol of sovereignty, mates it probable that the word is used in that symbolic sense here. In Psalm 78:25, the "mighty ones" to whom it is applied are those of the host of heaven, the angels of God.

Verse 13. - For he saith. Neither this speech nor that in vers. 8-11, nor again that given in Isaiah 37:24, 25, is to be regarded as historical in the sense of being the actual utterance of any Assyrian monarch. All are imaginary, speeches, composed by the prophet, whereby he expresses in his own language the thoughts which Assyrian kings entertained in their hearts. I have removed the bounds of the people; rather, of peoples. Assyrian monarchs take as one of their titles "the remover of boundaries and landmarks" (G. Smith's 'Assyrian Discoveries,' pp. 243, 244). And have robbed their treasures (comp. 2 Kings 15:19; 2 Kings 18:14-16). The plunder of conquered countries is constantly recorded by the Assyrian monarchs as one of the most important results of each successful expedition. It is not infrequently represented in the sculptures (see 'Ancient Monarchies,' vol. 2. p. 85). I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man. The passage is obscure; and many different renderings have been given. Perhaps the best is that of Mr. Cheyne, "I have brought down, like a mighty one, those that sat on thrones." Abbir, however, the word translated "a mighty one," as often means "a bull" (see Psalm 22:12; Psalm 50:13; Psalm 68:30; Isaiah 34:7; Jeremiah 1:11).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he says:
אָמַ֗ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“By the strength
בְּכֹ֤חַ (bə·ḵō·aḥ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3581: A small reptile (of unknown species)

of my hand
יָדִי֙ (yā·ḏî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

I have done [this],
עָשִׂ֔יתִי (‘ā·śî·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

and [by my] wisdom,
וּבְחָכְמָתִ֖י (ū·ḇə·ḥā·ḵə·mā·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2451: Wisdom

for
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I am clever.
נְבֻנ֑וֹתִי (nə·ḇu·nō·w·ṯî)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand

I have removed
וְאָסִ֣יר ׀ (wə·’ā·sîr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

the boundaries
גְּבוּלֹ֣ת (gə·ḇū·lōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 1367: A boundary, region

of nations
עַמִּ֗ים (‘am·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and plundered
שׁוֹשֵׂ֔תִי (šō·w·śê·ṯî)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 8154: To spoil, plunder

their treasures;
וַעֲתוּדֽוֹתֵיהֶם֙ (wa·‘ă·ṯū·ḏō·w·ṯê·hem)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6264: Prepared, skilful, treasure

like a mighty one
כַּאבִּ֖יר (ka·bîr)
Preposition-k | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 47: Mighty, valiant

I subdued
וְאוֹרִ֥יד (wə·’ō·w·rîḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

their rulers.
יוֹשְׁבִֽים׃ (yō·wō·šə·ḇîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 10:13 For he has said By the strength (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 10:12
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