Isaiah 10:34
New International Version
He will cut down the forest thickets with an ax; Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.

New Living Translation
He will cut down the forest trees with an ax. Lebanon will fall to the Mighty One.

English Standard Version
He will cut down the thickets of the forest with an axe, and Lebanon will fall by the Majestic One.

Berean Standard Bible
He will clear the forest thickets with an axe, and Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.

King James Bible
And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.

New King James Version
He will cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, And Lebanon will fall by the Mighty One.

New American Standard Bible
He will cut down the thickets of the forest with an iron axe, And Lebanon will fall by the Mighty One.

NASB 1995
He will cut down the thickets of the forest with an iron axe, And Lebanon will fall by the Mighty One.

NASB 1977
And He will cut down the thickets of the forest with an iron axe, And Lebanon will fall by the Mighty One.

Legacy Standard Bible
He will cut down the thickets of the forest with an iron axe, And Lebanon will fall by the Mighty One.

Amplified Bible
He will cut down the thickets of the forest with an iron axe, And Lebanon (the Assyrian) will fall by the Mighty One.

Christian Standard Bible
He is clearing the thickets of the forest with an ax, and Lebanon with its majesty will fall.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He is clearing the thickets of the forest with an ax, and Lebanon with its majesty will fall.

American Standard Version
And he will cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.

Contemporary English Version
With an ax, the glorious Lord will destroy every tree in the forests of Lebanon.

English Revised Version
And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He will cut down the underbrush of the forest with an ax. Lebanon will fall in front of the Mighty One.

Good News Translation
The LORD will cut them down as trees in the heart of the forest are cut down with an ax, as even the finest trees of Lebanon fall!

International Standard Version
He will cut down the thickets of the forest with an ax, and Lebanon will fall by the Majestic One."

Majority Standard Bible
He will clear the forest thickets with an axe, and Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.

NET Bible
The thickets of the forest will be chopped down with an ax, and mighty Lebanon will fall.

New Heart English Bible
He will cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon will fall by the Mighty One.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he shall cut down the thickets of the forests with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.

World English Bible
He will cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon will fall by the Mighty One.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And He has gone around the thickets of the forest with iron, "" And Lebanon falls by a mighty one!

Young's Literal Translation
And He hath gone round the thickets of the forest with iron, And Lebanon by a mighty one falleth!

Smith's Literal Translation
And he cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall with a lofty one.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the thickets of the forest shall be cut down with iron, and Libanus with its high ones shall fall.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the dense forest will be overturned with iron. And Lebanon, with its exalted ones, will fall.

New American Bible
He shall hack down the forest thickets with an ax, and Lebanon in its splendor shall fall.

New Revised Standard Version
He will hack down the thickets of the forest with an ax, and Lebanon with its majestic trees will fall.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon with its glory shall fall.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he shall cut the branches of the forest with iron, and Lebanon in its glory shall fall
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And He shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, And Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and the lofty ones shall fall by the sword, and the Libanus shall fall with his lofty ones.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Remnant of Israel Shall Return
33Behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts will lop off the branches with terrifying power. The tall trees will be cut down, the lofty ones will be felled. 34He will clear the forest thickets with an axe, and Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.

Cross References
Isaiah 37:24
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.

Isaiah 14:8
Even the cypresses and cedars of Lebanon exult over you: “Since you have been laid low, no woodcutter comes against us.”

Ezekiel 31:3-14
Look at Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches that shaded the forest. It towered on high; its top was among the clouds. / The waters made it grow; the deep springs made it tall, directing their streams all around its base and sending their channels to all the trees of the field. / Therefore it towered higher than all the trees of the field. Its branches multiplied, and its boughs grew long as it spread them out because of the abundant waters. ...

2 Kings 19:23
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.

Jeremiah 46:22-23
Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent, for the enemy will advance in force; with axes they will come against her like woodsmen cutting down trees. / They will chop down her forest, declares the LORD, dense though it may be, for they are more numerous than locusts; they cannot be counted.

Zechariah 11:1-2
Open your doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may consume your cedars! / Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen; the majestic trees are ruined! Wail, O oaks of Bashan, for the dense forest has been cut down!

Nahum 1:12-14
This is what the LORD says: “Though they are allied and numerous, yet they will be cut down and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, O Judah, I will afflict you no longer. / For I will now break their yoke from your neck and tear away your shackles.” / The LORD has issued a command concerning you, O Nineveh: “There will be no descendants to carry on your name. I will cut off the carved image and cast idol from the house of your gods; I will prepare your grave, for you are contemptible.”

Psalm 74:5-6
like men wielding axes in a thicket of trees / and smashing all the carvings with hatchets and picks.

Psalm 29:5
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon.

Amos 2:9
Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them, though his height was like that of the cedars, and he was as strong as the oaks. Yet I destroyed his fruit above and his roots below.

Matthew 3:10
The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Luke 3:9
The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Matthew 7:19
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

John 15:6
If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.

Romans 11:17-24
Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, / do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. / You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.

cut down

Isaiah 10:18
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.

Isaiah 37:24
By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord, and hast said, By the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the height of his border, and the forest of his Carmel.

Jeremiah 22:7
And I will prepare destroyers against thee, every one with his weapons: and they shall cut down thy choice cedars, and cast them into the fire.

Lebanon

Zechariah 11:1,2
Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars…

by a mighty one.

Isaiah 31:8
Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.

Isaiah 37:36
Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.

Psalm 103:20
Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

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Ax Axe Cut Cutting Fall Falleth Forest Forests Iron Lebanon Majestic Mighty Places Round Tall Thick Thickets Trees Wood
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Ax Axe Cut Cutting Fall Falleth Forest Forests Iron Lebanon Majestic Mighty Places Round Tall Thick Thickets Trees Wood
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














He will clear
This phrase suggests a decisive action taken by God. The Hebrew root word here is "חָטַב" (chataḇ), which means to cut or hew down. In the context of Isaiah, this action symbolizes God's judgment and the removal of obstacles or opposition. Historically, this reflects God's sovereignty and power to clear away nations or powers that stand against His purposes. It is a reminder of God's ability to bring about His will, cutting through the complexities of human affairs with precision and authority.

the forest thickets
The "forest thickets" symbolize dense and seemingly impenetrable obstacles or nations. In the ancient Near Eastern context, forests often represented chaos or untamed nature. The Hebrew word "יַעַר" (ya'ar) for forest can also imply a place of wildness and danger. Spiritually, this can be seen as the tangled mess of sin and rebellion that God promises to clear away. It is a powerful image of God bringing order and clarity where there is confusion and resistance.

with an ax
The ax is a tool of judgment and precision. The Hebrew word "מַעֲצָד" (ma'atzad) refers to a cutting instrument, emphasizing the thoroughness and effectiveness of God's action. In biblical symbolism, an ax often represents divine judgment (as seen in Matthew 3:10). This imagery reassures believers of God's ability to decisively deal with sin and opposition, cutting through with righteousness and justice.

and Lebanon
Lebanon, known for its majestic cedars, represents strength and pride. The cedars of Lebanon were renowned in the ancient world for their size and quality, often used in temple construction and royal palaces. In this context, Lebanon symbolizes human pride and self-reliance. The mention of Lebanon falling indicates that even the mightiest and most revered will not stand against God's judgment. It serves as a humbling reminder of the futility of human pride before the Almighty.

will fall
The phrase "will fall" denotes a complete and inevitable collapse. The Hebrew word "נָפַל" (naphal) means to fall or be overthrown. This conveys the certainty of God's judgment against those who oppose Him. It is a call to humility and repentance, recognizing that all human strength and glory are ultimately subject to God's sovereign will.

before the Mighty One
The "Mighty One" refers to God Himself, emphasizing His unparalleled power and authority. The Hebrew term "אַדִּיר" (addiyr) conveys might, strength, and majesty. This title for God reassures believers of His supreme control over all creation. It is an encouragement to trust in God's power and justice, knowing that He is the ultimate authority before whom all must bow. This phrase inspires awe and reverence, reminding us of the greatness of God and His ability to accomplish His purposes.

Verse 34. - He shall cut down; or, one shall eat down; Jehovah being, no doubt, intended. Lebanon (comp. Ezekiel 31:3, "Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon"). Here the comparison is enlarged, and Assyria appears as Lebanon itself with all its cedar woods. By a mighty one; rather, a glorious one (comp. Isaiah 33:21, where the word here used - adir - is an epithet of Jehovah).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He will clear
וְנִקַּ֛ף (wə·niq·qap̄)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5362: To strike, to knock together, surround, circulate

the forest
הַיַּ֖עַר (hay·ya·‘ar)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3293: A copse of bushes, a forest, honey in the comb

thickets
סִֽבְכֵ֥י (siḇ·ḵê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5442: A thicket

with an ax,
בַּבַּרְזֶ֑ל (bab·bar·zel)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1270: Iron, an iron implement

and Lebanon
וְהַלְּבָנ֖וֹן (wə·hal·lə·ḇā·nō·wn)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3844: Lebanon -- a wooded mountain range on the northern border of Israel

will fall
יִפּֽוֹל׃ (yip·pō·wl)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

before the Mighty One.
בְּאַדִּ֥יר (bə·’ad·dîr)
Preposition-b | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 117: Wide, large, powerful


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 10:34 He will cut down the thickets (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 10:33
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