Briefly stated, Isaiah 10:9 warns that even mighty cities cannot guard themselves from God’s judicial hand and that reliance on impressive defenses alone is sure to fail if pride stands in defiance of the LORD.
“Is not Calno like Carchemish, Or Hamath like Arpad, Or Samaria like Damascus?” (v.9). These are the words of Isaiah 10:9. In this verse, the LORD, through the prophet Isaiah (who ministered in Judah around 740-700 BC), rhetorically compares several cities that faced conquest and destruction by the Assyrian Empire. The cities mentioned—Calno, Carchemish, Hamath, Arpad, Samaria, and Damascus—were well-known centers in the ancient Near East. Each of them eventually fell under the power of the Assyrian king, illustrating both the empire’s reach and the futility of earthly defenses when the LORD decides to bring judgment.
“Is not Calno like Carchemish” (v.9) points to Calno, a city that likely existed in Mesopotamia or an area under Assyrian control. Carchemish was a significant city on the Euphrates River (near modern-day border regions between Turkey and Syria). It was located south of a region known as Beth-Eden and north of the Aramean capital, Damascus. The rhetorical comparison implies that if Carchemish could be conquered, so could Calno. Then Isaiah continues, “Or Hamath like Arpad?” (v.9). Hamath was a fortress city about 130 miles north of Damascus on the Orontes River (in modern-day Syria). Arpad was another northern Syrian city, and both cities eventually fell to Assyria. Finally, “Or Samaria like Damascus?” (v.9) highlights the fall of Samaria (the capital of Israel) in 722 BC and suggests that Damascus (the capital of Aram) also succumbed to the same power. These comparisons underscore the sovereignty of God over all nations: once He brings judgment using an empire such as Assyria, even prominent strongholds cannot stand.
The deeper significance of Isaiah 10:9 is that God is reminding Judah and all who hear this proclamation that trusting in alliances or fortifications alone leads to certain downfall if the LORD has decreed it. Earlier conquests testify to the fact no human fortress can withstand God’s plan. Ultimately, this foreshadows that the same fate could befall anyone who hardens themselves against Him. As Isaiah would often warn, only those who humbly seek the LORD find true security. This point resonates with the larger biblical story, pointing forward to how our ultimate refuge is the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who offers deliverance far beyond any earthly empire (John 5:24).
The entire verse highlights how the proud Assyrian king boasted of his conquests over these cities, claiming they proved he would continue to succeed everywhere. Yet the context of Isaiah 10 warns that Assyria, although an instrument of judgment, would itself face punishment for its arrogance (Isaiah 10:12). God’s sovereignty over all earthly powers is the theme.
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Isaiah 10:9 meaning
“Is not Calno like Carchemish, Or Hamath like Arpad, Or Samaria like Damascus?” (v.9). These are the words of Isaiah 10:9. In this verse, the LORD, through the prophet Isaiah (who ministered in Judah around 740-700 BC), rhetorically compares several cities that faced conquest and destruction by the Assyrian Empire. The cities mentioned—Calno, Carchemish, Hamath, Arpad, Samaria, and Damascus—were well-known centers in the ancient Near East. Each of them eventually fell under the power of the Assyrian king, illustrating both the empire’s reach and the futility of earthly defenses when the LORD decides to bring judgment.
“Is not Calno like Carchemish” (v.9) points to Calno, a city that likely existed in Mesopotamia or an area under Assyrian control. Carchemish was a significant city on the Euphrates River (near modern-day border regions between Turkey and Syria). It was located south of a region known as Beth-Eden and north of the Aramean capital, Damascus. The rhetorical comparison implies that if Carchemish could be conquered, so could Calno. Then Isaiah continues, “Or Hamath like Arpad?” (v.9). Hamath was a fortress city about 130 miles north of Damascus on the Orontes River (in modern-day Syria). Arpad was another northern Syrian city, and both cities eventually fell to Assyria. Finally, “Or Samaria like Damascus?” (v.9) highlights the fall of Samaria (the capital of Israel) in 722 BC and suggests that Damascus (the capital of Aram) also succumbed to the same power. These comparisons underscore the sovereignty of God over all nations: once He brings judgment using an empire such as Assyria, even prominent strongholds cannot stand.
The deeper significance of Isaiah 10:9 is that God is reminding Judah and all who hear this proclamation that trusting in alliances or fortifications alone leads to certain downfall if the LORD has decreed it. Earlier conquests testify to the fact no human fortress can withstand God’s plan. Ultimately, this foreshadows that the same fate could befall anyone who hardens themselves against Him. As Isaiah would often warn, only those who humbly seek the LORD find true security. This point resonates with the larger biblical story, pointing forward to how our ultimate refuge is the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who offers deliverance far beyond any earthly empire (John 5:24).
The entire verse highlights how the proud Assyrian king boasted of his conquests over these cities, claiming they proved he would continue to succeed everywhere. Yet the context of Isaiah 10 warns that Assyria, although an instrument of judgment, would itself face punishment for its arrogance (Isaiah 10:12). God’s sovereignty over all earthly powers is the theme.