But he does not so intend, and his heart does not so think; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few;
7. Yet he will not think so. Howbeit he meaneth not so. — Eng. Ver. FT153 I will punish (margin, Heb. visit upon) the fruit of the stout heart. — Eng. Ver. When wicked men vomit out their rage, they disturb weak minds, as if it were not in the power of God to restrain their pride and fury.
The destruction of the kingdom of Israel by Shalmaneser king of Assyria was foretold in the foregoing chapter, and it had its accomplishment in the sixth year of Hezekiah, Kg2 18:10. It was total and final, head and tail were all cut off.
Commenting on Isaiah 10:5-19
Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so,.... His purposes, intentions, and thoughts, were not as the Lord's; he did not imagine that he was only the rod of his anger, and the staff of his indignation, a minister of his wrath, and the executioner of his vengeance; he thought he was his own lord and master, and acted by his own...