Albert Barnes Commentary Isaiah 10:8

"For he saith, Are not my princes all of them kings?" — Isaiah 10:8 (ASV)

For he says—this verse, and the subsequent verses to Isaiah 10:11, contain the boasting of the king of Assyria, and descriptions of his own confidence in success.

Are not my princes altogether kings? This is a confident boast of his own might and power. His own dominion was so great that even his princes were endowed with the ordinary power and regalia of kings. The word “princes” may here refer either to those of his own family and court—the satraps and officers of power in his army or around his throne—or, more probably, to the subordinate governors whom he had set over the provinces which he had conquered.

Are they not clothed with royal power and majesty? Are they not of equal splendor with the other monarchs on the earth? How great, then, must have been his own rank and glory to be placed over such illustrious sovereigns! It should be recalled that a common title which Eastern monarchs give themselves is that of King of kings; see Ezekiel 26:7; Daniel 2:37; Ezra 7:12. Eastern princes are still distinguished for their sounding titles, and particularly for their claiming dominion over all other princes and supremacy over all other earthly powers.