Isaiah3
New International Version
1See now, the Lord, the Lord Almighty, is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: all supplies of food and all supplies of water,
2the hero and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder,
3the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor, skilled craftsman and clever enchanter.
4“I will make mere youths their officials; children will rule over them.”
5People will oppress each other— man against man, neighbor against neighbor. The young will rise up against the old, the nobody against the honored.
6A man will seize one of his brothers in his father’s house, and say, “You have a cloak, you be our leader; take charge of this heap of ruins!”
7But in that day he will cry out, “I have no remedy. I have no food or clothing in my house; do not make me the leader of the people.”
8Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence.
9The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves.
10Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.
11Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done.
12Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. My people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path.
13The Lord takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people.
14The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: “It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses.
15What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?” declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.
16The Lord says, “The women of Zion are haughty, walking along with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, strutting along with swaying hips, with ornaments jingling on their ankles.
17Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; the Lord will make their scalps bald.”
18In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces,
19the earrings and bracelets and veils,
20the headdresses and anklets and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms,
21the signet rings and nose rings,
22the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses
23and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls.
24Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of well-dressed hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding.
25Your men will fall by the sword, your warriors in battle.
26The gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Isaiah 3.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The calamities about to come upon the land. (1-9). The wickedness of the people. (10-15). The distress of the proud, luxurious women of Zion. (16-26).
vv1-9
God was about to deprive Judah of every stay and support. The city and the land were to be made desolate, because their words and works had been rebellious against the Lord; even at his holy temple. If men do not stay themselves upon God, he will soon remove all other supports, and then they must sink. Christ is the Bread of life and the Water of life; if he be our Stay, we shall find that is a good part not to be taken away, John 6:27. Here note, 1. That the condition of sinners is exceedingly woful. 2. It is the soul that is damaged by sin. 3. Whatever evil befals sinners, be sure that they bring it on themselves.
vv10-15
The rule was certain; however there might be national prosperity or trouble, it would be well with the righteous and ill with the wicked. Blessed be God, there is abundant encouragement to the righteous to trust in him, and for sinners to repent and return to him. It was time for the Lord to show his might. He will call men to a strict account for all the wealth and power intrusted to and abused by them. If it is sinful to disregard the necessities of the poor, how odious and wicked a part do they act, who bring men into poverty, and then oppress them!
vv16-26
The prophet reproves and warns the daughters of Zion of the sufferings coming upon them. Let them know that God notices the folly and vanity of proud women, even of their dress. The punishments threatened answered the sin. Loathsome diseases often are the just punishment of pride. It is not material to ask what sort of ornaments they wore; many of these things, if they had not been in fashion, would have been ridiculed then as now. Their fashions differed much from those of our times, but human nature is the same. Wasting time and money, to the neglect of piety, charity, and even of justice, displease the Lord. Many professors at the present day, seem to think there is no harm in worldly finery; but were it not a great evil, would the Holy Spirit have taught the prophet to expose it so fully? The Jews being overcome, Jerusalem would be levelled with the ground; which is represented under the idea of a desolate female seated upon the earth. And when the Romans had destroyed Jerusalem, they struck a medal, on which was represented a woman sitting on the ground in a posture of grief. If sin be harboured within the walls, lamentation and mourning are near the gates.
Key Words
כִּי: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִנֵּה: lo!
אָדוֹן: sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)
צָבָא: a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship)
סוּר: to turn off (literal or figurative)
מִן: properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם: Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
יְהוּדָה: Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
מִשְׁעֵן: a support (concretely), i.e. (figuratively) a protector or sustenance
מִשְׁעֵנָה: support (abstractly), i.e. (figuratively) sustenance or (concretely) a walking-stick
Cross References
Isaiah 3Poole links 'stay and staff of bread' with this Levitical phrase meaning bread, the staff of life.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Poole identifies this as the classical parallel for the 'staff of bread' representing divine physical support.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Direct textual link explaining 'the stay of bread' as the staff of bread broken in judgment.
Supported by Matthew Poole
An explicit prophetic parallel where God threatens to break the staff of bread during siege.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Historically fulfilled when Nebuchadnezzar carried away the mighty men, craftsmen, and prudent leaders of Jerusalem.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies the 'vineyard' as the Jewish theocracy, which the corrupt leaders have eaten up.
Supported by JFB
Judah left without king, prince, or reliable guide, matching Hosea's description of Israel's deprivation.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Explains 'prudent' (Hebrew soothsayer/diviner) which God removes to expose their false confidences.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the woe of having childish rulers in understanding, capability, and wisdom.
Supported by JFB
Theological parallel where the righteous eat the fruit of their own way and doings.
Supported by JFB
Illustrates 'lifting up the hand' as the ancient physical gesture used in taking a solemn oath.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Poole cites this to show 'lift up' refers to swearing an oath by raising the hand.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies God's eyes as too pure to behold evil, illuminating 'provoking the eyes of His glory.'
Supported by JFB
Parallel where the pride and countenance of Israel testifies directly to their face.
Supported by JFB