Isaiah 10:15
New International Version
Does the ax raise itself above the person who swings it, or the saw boast against the one who uses it? As if a rod were to wield the person who lifts it up, or a club brandish the one who is not wood!

New Living Translation
But can the ax boast greater power than the person who uses it? Is the saw greater than the person who saws? Can a rod strike unless a hand moves it? Can a wooden cane walk by itself?

English Standard Version
Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood!

Berean Standard Bible
Does an axe raise itself above the one who swings it? Does a saw boast over him who saws with it? It would be like a rod waving the one who lifts it, or a staff lifting him who is not wood!

King James Bible
Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.

New King James Version
Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it? Or shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws with it? As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up, Or as if a staff could lift up, as if it were not wood!

New American Standard Bible
Is the axe to boast itself over the one who chops with it? Is the saw to exalt itself over the one who wields it? That would be like a club wielding those who lift it, Or like a rod lifting the one who is not wood.

NASB 1995
Is the axe to boast itself over the one who chops with it? Is the saw to exalt itself over the one who wields it? That would be like a club wielding those who lift it, Or like a rod lifting him who is not wood.

NASB 1977
Is the axe to boast itself over the one who chops with it? Is the saw to exalt itself over the one who wields it? That would be like a club wielding those who lift it, Or like a rod lifting him who is not wood.

Legacy Standard Bible
Is the axe to boast itself over the one who chops with it? Is the saw to magnify itself over the one who wields it? That would be like a rod wielding those who lift it, Or like a staff lifting him who is not wood.

Amplified Bible
Is the axe able to lift itself over the one who chops with it? Is the saw able to magnify itself over the one who wields it? That would be like a club moving those who lift it, Or like a staff raising him who is not [made of] wood [like itself]!

Christian Standard Bible
Does an ax exalt itself above the one who chops with it? Does a saw magnify itself above the one who saws with it? It would be like a rod waving the ones who lift it! It would be like a staff lifting the one who isn’t wood!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Does an ax exalt itself above the one who chops with it? Does a saw magnify itself above the one who saws with it? It would be like a staff waving the one who lifts it! It would be like a rod lifting a man who isn’t wood!

American Standard Version
Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? shall the saw magnify itself against him that wieldeth it? as if a rod should wield them that lift it up, or as if a staff should lift up him that is not wood.

Contemporary English Version
King of Assyria, can an ax or a saw overpower the one who uses it? Can a wooden pole lift whoever holds it?

English Revised Version
Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if a rod should shake them that lift it up, or as if a staff should lift up him that is not wood.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Can an ax attack the person who cuts with it? Can a saw make itself greater than the person who saws with it? A rod cannot move the person who lifts it. A wooden stick cannot pick up a person.

Good News Translation
But the LORD says, "Can an ax claim to be greater than the one who uses it? Is a saw more important than the one who saws with it? A club doesn't lift up a person; a person lifts up a club."

International Standard Version
"Does the ax exalt itself over the one who swings it? Or does the saw magnify itself in opposition to the one who wields it? As if a rod were to wield those who lift it, or as if a club were to brandish the one who is not wood!

Majority Standard Bible
Does an axe raise itself above the one who swings it? Does a saw boast over him who saws with it? It would be like a rod waving the one who lifts it, or a staff lifting him who is not wood!

NET Bible
Does an ax exalt itself over the one who wields it, or a saw magnify itself over the one who cuts with it? As if a scepter should brandish the one who raises it, or a staff should lift up what is not made of wood!

New Heart English Bible
Should an axe brag against him who chops with it? Should a saw exalt itself above him who saws with it? As if a rod should lift those who lift it up, or as if a staff should lift up someone who is not wood.

Webster's Bible Translation
Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth with it? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that moveth it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it, or as if the staff should lift itself, as if it were no wood.

World English Bible
Should an ax brag against him who chops with it? Should a saw exalt itself above him who saws with it? As if a rod should lift those who lift it up, or as if a staff should lift up someone who is not wood.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Does the axe glorify itself "" Against him who is hewing with it? Does the saw magnify itself "" Against him who is shaking it? As a rod waving those lifting it up! As a staff lifting up that which is not wood!

Young's Literal Translation
-- Doth the axe glorify itself Against him who is hewing with it? Doth the saw magnify itself Against him who is shaking it? As a rod waving those lifting it up! As a staff lifting up that which is not wood!

Smith's Literal Translation
Shall the axe vaunt itself against him hewing with it? shall the saw magnify itself against him moving it up and down? as the rod moving up and down with those lifting it up; as the lifting up of the rod not wood.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Shall the axe boast itself against him that cutteth with it? or shall the saw exalt itself against him by whom it is drawn? as if a rod should lift itself up against him that lifteth it up, and a staff exalt itself, which is but wood.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Should the axe glorify itself over him who wields it? Or can the saw exalt itself over him who pulls it? How can a rod lift itself up against him who wields it, or a staff exalt itself, though it is only wood?

New American Bible
Will the ax boast against the one who hews with it? Will the saw exalt itself above the one who wields it? As if a rod could sway the one who lifts it, or a staff could lift the one who is not wood!

New Revised Standard Version
Shall the ax vaunt itself over the one who wields it, or the saw magnify itself against the one who handles it? As if a rod should raise the one who lifts it up, or as if a staff should lift the one who is not wood!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Shall the ax boast itself over him who hews with it? Or shall the saw magnify itself over him who saws with it? Or shall a rod exalt itself over him who lifts it up?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Is the axe boasting over him who cuts with it, or is a saw exalted over him who saws with it, or does a rod lift itself up over him who raises it?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Should the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Should the saw magnify itself against him that moveth it? As if a rod should move them that lift it up, Or as if a staff should lift up him that is not wood.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Shall the axe glorify itself without him that hews with it? or shall the saw lift up itself without him that uses it, as if one should lift a rod or staff? but it shall not be so;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judgment on Assyria
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.’ ” 15Does an axe raise itself above the one who swings it? Does a saw boast over him who saws with it? It would be like a rod waving the one who lifts it, or a staff lifting him who is not wood! 16Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts will send a wasting disease among Assyria’s stout warriors, and under his pomp will be kindled a fire like a burning flame.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 51:20-23
“You are My war club, My weapon for battle. With you I shatter nations; with you I bring kingdoms to ruin. / With you I shatter the horse and rider; with you I shatter the chariot and driver. / With you I shatter man and woman; with you I shatter the old man and the youth; with you I shatter the young man and the maiden. ...

Daniel 4:35
All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

Romans 9:20-21
But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” / Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?

Isaiah 29:16
You have turned things upside down, as if the potter were regarded as clay. Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pottery say of the potter, “He has no understanding”?

Isaiah 45:9
Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?

Isaiah 37:26-29
Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it; in days of old I planned it. Now I have brought it to pass, that you should crush fortified cities into piles of rubble. / Therefore their inhabitants, devoid of power, are dismayed and ashamed. They are like plants in the field, tender green shoots, grass on the rooftops, scorched before it is grown. / But I know your sitting down, your going out and coming in, and your raging against Me. ...

Isaiah 46:10-11
I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’ / I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.

Job 12:9-10
Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? / The life of every living thing is in His hand, as well as the breath of all mankind.

Job 38:4-5
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. / Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it?

Psalm 2:1-4
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: / “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.” ...

Psalm 33:10-11
The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples. / The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.

Psalm 115:3
Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.

Proverbs 21:1
The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.

Acts 17:24-28
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. / Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. / From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands. ...

1 Corinthians 1:27-29
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence.


Treasury of Scripture

Shall the ax boast itself against him that hews therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shakes it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.

the axe

Isaiah 10:5
O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.

Psalm 17:13,14
Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword: …

Jeremiah 51:20-23
Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; …

itself, as if it were no wood.

Jump to Previous
Ax Axe Boast Brag Brandish Chops Club Exalt Heweth Itself Lift Magnify Move Moveth Raise Rod Saws Shake Shaketh Someone Staff Therewith Uses Wield Wielding Wields Wood
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Ax Axe Boast Brag Brandish Chops Club Exalt Heweth Itself Lift Magnify Move Moveth Raise Rod Saws Shake Shaketh Someone Staff Therewith Uses Wield Wielding Wields 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














Does an axe raise itself above the one who swings it?
This phrase uses the metaphor of an axe to illustrate the relationship between God and the instruments He uses to accomplish His purposes. The Hebrew word for "axe" is "מַעֲצָד" (ma'atzad), which signifies a tool used for cutting. In the context of Isaiah, the axe represents Assyria, which God uses as an instrument of judgment against Israel. The rhetorical question emphasizes the absurdity of the tool exalting itself over the one wielding it. Historically, this reflects the arrogance of Assyria, which believed its military conquests were due to its own power rather than being an instrument in God's hand.

Or a saw boast over him who saws with it?
The "saw" (Hebrew: "מַשּׂוֹר" - masor) further extends the metaphor, reinforcing the idea of a tool being used by a craftsman. The saw, like the axe, is powerless without the one who operates it. This imagery serves to remind the reader that all human power and success are ultimately under God's sovereign control. The historical context here is crucial, as Assyria's pride led it to believe it was the master of its own destiny, ignoring the divine orchestration behind its rise.

As if a rod were to wield those who lift it
The "rod" (Hebrew: "שֵׁבֶט" - shevet) is another symbol of authority and discipline. In ancient times, a rod was often used by shepherds to guide and correct their flocks, symbolizing leadership and control. The absurdity of a rod wielding those who lift it underscores the folly of Assyria's pride. This phrase serves as a reminder that God is the ultimate authority, and any power or authority humans possess is granted by Him.

or a staff were to lift him who is not wood!
The "staff" (Hebrew: "מִשְׁעֶנֶת" - mish'enet) is similar to the rod, often used for support or guidance. The imagery of a staff lifting a person who is not wood highlights the ridiculousness of inanimate objects claiming autonomy or superiority over their users. This serves as a powerful reminder of the futility of human pride and self-reliance when divorced from the recognition of God's sovereignty. In the broader scriptural context, this reflects the biblical theme that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

(15) Shall the ax boast itself . . .?--The words spoken by the prophet as the mouthpiece of Jehovah remind us of the way in which Christian writers of the fifth century spoke of Attila as "the scourge of God." There was comfort in that thought for the nations that were scourged. The man's lust for power might be limitless, but there was the limit of the compassion and longsuffering of God.

As if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up.--Better, As if the rod should shake them. The plural is used either as generalising the comparison, or more probably as suggesting the thought that Elohim (God) is the true wielder of the rod. (Comp. Isaiah 10:5.)

As if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.--The multiplied italics show that the translators found the clause difficult. Better and more simply, As if the staff should lift that which is not wood, i.e., the living arm that holds it. Was it for the king of Assyria to assume that he could alter and determine the purposes of Jehovah? Did the man wield the rod, or the rod the man?

Verse 15. - Shall the axe boast itself? Here the prophet takes the word, and rebukes Assyria for her folly in forgetting, or not perceiving, that she is a mere instrument, like an axe, a saw, a rod, or a stuff. The saw... him that shaketh it; rather, him that moveth it to and fro. The action of sawing is alluded to. As if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up; rather, as if a rod were to move them to and fro that lift it up. For Assyria to assert herself as if she were independent of God is like a rod attempting to sway the hand that holds it. It is a complete inversion of the natural order of things. Or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood. Translate, or as if d staff should lift up that which is not wood; i.e. "as if a staff should take action and lift up its holder, who is not wood, but flesh and blood."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Does an ax
הַגַּרְזֶ֔ן (hag·gar·zen)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1631: An axe

raise itself
הֲיִתְפָּאֵר֙ (hă·yiṯ·pā·’êr)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6286: To gleam, embellish, to boast, to explain, oneself, to shake a, tree

above
עַ֖ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the one who swings it?
הַחֹצֵ֣ב (ha·ḥō·ṣêḇ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2672: To cut, carve, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave

Does a saw
הַמַּשּׂוֹר֙ (ham·maś·śō·wr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4883: A saw

boast
יִתְגַּדֵּ֤ל (yiṯ·gad·dêl)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1431: To grow up, become great

over him
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

who saws with it?
מְנִיפ֔וֹ (mə·nî·p̄ōw)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5130: To move to and fro, wave, sprinkle

It would be like a staff
שֵׁ֙בֶט֙ (šê·ḇeṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7626: Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe

waving
כְּהָנִ֥יף (kə·hā·nîp̄)
Preposition-k | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5130: To move to and fro, wave, sprinkle

the one who lifts it!
מְרִימָ֔יו (mə·rî·māw)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7311: To be high actively, to rise, raise

It would be like a staff
מַטֶּ֖ה (maṭ·ṭeh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4294: A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe

lifting
כְּהָרִ֥ים (kə·hā·rîm)
Preposition-k | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7311: To be high actively, to rise, raise

him who is not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

wood!
עֵֽץ׃ (‘êṣ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 10:15 Should an axe brag against him who (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 10:14
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