Devine Scripture

Isaiah 9:10

What does Isaiah 9:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Isaiah 9:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Isaiah 9:10 means

This verse powerfully illustrates the defiant and unrepentant spirit of Ephraim and Samaria. Despite suffering destruction—symbolized by fallen bricks and cut-down sycamore trees—they do not turn to God. Instead, they boastfully declare their intention to rebuild with superior, more durable materials like "hewn stone" and "cedars." This statement reveals their deep-seated pride and self-reliance, expressing a determination to overcome their misfortunes through their own strength and ingenuity, rather than seeking the Lord or recognizing His hand in their calamities. They replace a humble spirit with hardened resolve.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

The bricks are fallen, but we will build with hewn stone; the sycomores are cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

The bricks are fallen, but we will build with hewn stone; the sycomores are cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The bricks have come down, but we will put up buildings of cut stone in their place: the sycamores are cut down, but they will be changed to cedars.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Bricks have fallen, and hewn work we build, Sycamores have been cut down, and cedars we renew.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with square stones: they have cut down the sycamores, but we will change them for cedars.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones; the sycamore trees are cut down, but we will replace them with cedars.

Context

This verse provides a concrete example of the "pride and stoutness of heart" mentioned in verse 9. It shows their obstinate defiance in the face of judgment, refusing to learn from their calamities. This context is vital because it directly illustrates the reason for the escalating judgments that follow, demonstrating their unyielding rebellion and self-sufficiency rather than repentance before God.

v.9And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in pride and in stoutness of heart,

v.10This passage

v.11Therefore Jehovah will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin, and will stir up his enemies,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Kings 7:9

    All these were of costly stones, even of hewn stone, according to measure, sawed with saws, within and without, even from the foundation unto the coping, and so on the outside unto the great court.

  • 1 Kings 10:27

    And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycomore-trees that are in the lowland, for abundance.

  • Malachi 1:4

    Whereas Edom saith, We are beaten down, but we will return and build the waste places; thus saith Jehovah of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and men shall call them The border of wickedness, and The people against whom Jehovah hath indignation for ever.

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