Hast thou not heard long ago, how I have done it; and of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities into ruinous heaps.
Reply of God to Sennacherib.
Hast thou not heard long ago, (how) I have done it? - join, rather, with "I have done it." Thou dost boast that it is all by thy counsel and might; but it is I who, long ago, have ordered it so (Isaiah 22:11); thou wast but the instrument in my hands (Isaiah 10:5; Isaiah 10:15). This was the reason why 'the inhabitants were of small power before thee' (Isaiah 37:27) - namely, that I ordered it so; yet thou art in my hands, and I know thy ways (Isaiah 37:28), and I will check thee (Isaiah 37:29).
(And) of ancient times, that I have formed it Connect also "(And) of ancient times, that I have formed it" - `I from ancient times have arranged ("formed") it.' Compare Isaiah 33:13; Isaiah 45:6; Isaiah 45:21; Isaiah 48:5.