Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus?
Hasn't Calno fallen just like Carchemish? Hasn't Hamath been conquered just like Arpad? Hasn't Samaria been defeated just like Damascus?
The writer is pointing out that many great cities have already fallen to the same enemy, showing a pattern of conquest that seems unstoppable.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes from a prophecy about the Assyrian Empire, which was systematically conquering cities and nations throughout the ancient Near East around 700 BC. The cities mentioned - Calno, Carchemish, Hamath, Arpad, Samaria, and Damascus - were all significant regional centers that had fallen to Assyrian military might. Isaiah is presenting the boastful words of the Assyrian king, who is comparing his conquests to show his seemingly unlimited power.
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