Chiasm in Isaiah 10

Isaiah 10:5-15 seems to be organized in a chiastic order.

A. Rod and staff, v 5

B. Plunder, v. 6

C. Boast of Assyria, vv. 8-11

D. Yahweh’s response, limiting Assyria’s power, v. 12

C’/B’. Assyria’s boast/plunder, vv. 13-14

A’. Axe, Saw, Rod, Staff, v. 15

This structure helps solve the question of where the break comes in these verses. In earlier chapters, Isaiah has given a series of woes, followed by a “therefore” (5:8-17, 18-25). Here again, he gives a woe against the Assyrians (10:5-15), followed by a double “therefore” (vv. 16, 24).

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