Definition: Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Isaiah 10:4. It’s a really powerful verse with a lot of meaning, so we’ll go through it step-by-step. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse describes God’s intense anger and concern about something happening to His people – specifically, the nation of Judah (which is part of Israel). He’s warning them that he will not let this situation escalate into a devastating conflict. Let's unpack it: "Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners..." : This means if something bad happens to Judah, people will be forced to kneel and submit to punishment. The "prisoners" are likely referring to the Israelites themselves – perhaps they’ll be imprisoned or subjected to harsh treatment. It's a clear threat of suffering. "...and they shall fall under the slain." : This is even more severe. It means that the people will suffer greatly, and possibly even die. The "slain" could refer to both physical death (like being killed) and spiritual death (a loss of hope or faith). “For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.” : This is the most important part. It means God is not holding back his anger. He’s actively preventing things from getting worse. His "hand" represents his power and control. It's like a stretched-out arm, ready to strike or defend. Putting it all together – What’s the overall message? Isaiah 10:4 is essentially a warning that God is deeply concerned about Judah. He's prepared for a serious crisis and is actively working to prevent it from happening, even if it means enduring hardship and suffering. It speaks of a powerful, protective wrath against those who would harm his people. Important Note: This verse often gets misinterpreted as a prophecy of imminent destruction. However, the context of Isaiah’s entire book suggests that this is a warning – a call to repentance and vigilance. It's about God's watchfulness over His people and his willingness to defend them against harm. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Connect this verse to other biblical stories or themes? Give you a little background on the historical context of Isaiah’s writing?