Isaiah 10:6
I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
Isaiah 10:6 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, God is expressing his intention to send a powerful force against a nation that is characterized by hypocrisy and rebellion. The language used is symbolic, referring to this nation as 'an hypocritical nation' to emphasize their insincerity and lack of genuine faith. The phrase 'the people of my wrath' indicates that these people have provoked God's anger and judgment. The force that God will send is described as being charged with the task of taking spoil and prey, as well as treading down the nation like the mire of the streets. This imagery conveys a message of destruction and punishment for those who have turned away from God and embraced falsehood and wickedness. It serves as a warning of the consequences of disobedience and the certainty of divine judgment upon those who persist in their unrighteous ways.
Theological Overview
God is sending a punishment to a nation that is filled with hypocrisy and wickedness. The word "hypocritical" in this verse is translated from the Hebrew word "chaneph," which means profane or godless. God is using this nation as a tool of His wrath to bring judgment upon those who have turned away from Him. The word "wrath" comes from the Hebrew term "zaham," which signifies God's intense anger towards sin and rebellion. The imagery of "treading them down like the mire of the streets" portrays the utter destruction and defeat of the hypocritical nation. The word "mire" is translated from the Hebrew word "yobel," which refers to the dirt or mud found on the streets. In this context, God is using a powerful nation to bring about the downfall of those who have strayed from His ways. This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of remaining faithful to Him.
Isaiah 10:6 in other translations
American Standard Version
I will send him against a profane nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
World English Bible
I will send him against a profane nation, and against the people who anger me will I give him a command to take the plunder and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
Douay-Rheims
I will send him to a deceitful nation, and I will give him a charge against the people of my wrath, to take away the spoils, and to lay hold on the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
Geneva Bible (1599)
I will sende him to a dissembling nation, and I will giue him a charge against the people of my wrath to take the spoyle and to take the pray, and to treade them vnder feete like the mire in the streete.