Adam Clarke on Isaiah 10:15
Commentary and Critical Notes. Browse this work.
Read Isaiah 10. Compare commentaries on this chapter.
Source and publication rights
Public domain. Public Domain. Source edition.
Berean Blue opens December 1, 2026. Explore this passage in the app preview.
Isaiah10:15
No wood "Its master" - I have here given the meaning, without attempting to keep to the expression of the original, לא עץ lo ets, "the no-wood;" that which is not wood like itself, but of a quite different and superior nature. The Hebrews have a peculiar way of joining the negative particle לא lo to a noun, to signify in a strong manner a total negation of the thing expressed by the noun. "How hast thou given help (ללא כח lelo choach) to the no-strength?
And saved the arm (לא עז lo oz) of the no-power?
How hast, thou given counsel (ללא חכמה lelo chochmah) to the no-wisdom?" Job 26:2, Job 26:3.
That is, to the man totally deprived of strength, power, and wisdom. "Ye that rejoice (ללא דבר lelo dabar) in nothing." Amo 6:13.
That is, in your fancied strength, which is none at all, a mere nonentity. "For I am God, (ולא איש velo ish), and no-man;
The Holy One in the midst of thee, yet do not frequent cities." Hos 11:9. "And the Assyrian shall fall by a sword (לא איש lo ish) of no-man;
And a sword of (לא אדם lo adam) no-mortal, shall devour him." Isa 31:8. "Wherefore do ye weigh out your silver (בלוא לחם belo lechem) for the no-bread." Isa 55:2.
So here לא עץ lo ets means him who is far from being an inert piece of wood, but is an animated and active being; not an instrument, but an agent.
Adam Clarke, Commentary and Critical Notes, Isaiah 10:15. Public domain.
Permanent link. Source edition.