Isaiah 3:1 For behold, the Lord GOD of hosts is going to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support, the whole supply of bread And the whole supply of water (NASB: Lockman) |
English Translation of the Greek (Septuagint): Behold now, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, will take away from Jerusalem and from Judea the mighty man and mighty woman, the strength of bread, and the strength of water, Amplified: FOR BEHOLD, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff [every kind of prop], the whole stay of bread and the whole stay of water, (Amplified Bible - Lockman) KJV: For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water. NET: Look, the sovereign LORD who commands armies is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah every source of security, including all the food and water, (NET Bible) NJB: Now the Lord Yahweh Sabaoth is about to deprive Jerusalem and Judah of resources and provisions -- all reserves of food, all reserves of water- (NJB) NLT: The Lord, the LORD Almighty, will cut off the supplies of food and water from Jerusalem and Judah. (NLT - Tyndale House) Young's Literal: For, lo, the Lord, Jehovah of Hosts, Is turning aside from Jerusalem, And from Judah, stay and staff, Every stay of bread, and every stay of water. |
For behold, the Lord GOD of hosts is going to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support, the whole supply of bread and the whole supply of water: (Famine - Ge 12:10; 26:1; 43:1; Lv 26:19, 26; Dt 28:23,24,38; 2Sa 21:1; 1Ki 17:1-12; 18:2; 2Ki 8:1,2; Ps 105:16-note; Ps 107:34-note; Isa 3:1, Jer 14:1, 15:2; Lam 4:9, 10, Ezek 14:13, 14, 15, 16, 21; Joel 1:10,11,16, 17, 18, 19, 20; Am 4:6)
Recall that Isaiah prophesied from about 740-680BC and the prophecy in this chapter was fulfilled in the defeat of Jerusalem and Judah by the Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians in 586BC. In this section God will judge His people by taking away from them everything they were trusting, including food and water, leaders and soldiers, and judges and prophets. It should be noted that not everyone agrees that the events described in Isaiah 3 were completely fulfilled in 586BC but has a yet future fulfillment. For example, John MacArthur has the following note…
Motyer sums up this section noting that…
For - This conjunction explains why Isaiah commanded his readers to…
Why should they not regard or trust in man? Because God is preparing to bring judgment on Jerusalem and Judah. Isaiah's point is that in view of the divine judgment to men, whether rulers or skillful enchanters, etc, his readers would be utterly foolish to trust in their counsel or guidance = "Stop regarding man… !" God's judgment will fall on the nation as a whole, but in this next section Isaiah directs special attention to the leading men and women. John Calvin comments that Isaiah…
Delitzsch and Driver write that
Behold (hinneh) calls attention to the text and directs the reader to give special attention. Whenever you encounter this interjection know that the LORD desire our undivided attention for what follows. In this case He is about to move in judgment to remove! This should attract any sane person's full attention. Isaiah uses hinneh (behold) frequently throughout his prophecy in an attempt to engage his reader's attention - Isa. 3:1; 5:7, 26, 30; 6:7, 8; 7:14; 8:7, 18, 22; 10:33; 12:2; 13:9, 17; 17:1, 14; 19:1; 20:6; 21:9; 22:17; 24:1; 25:9; 26:21; 28:2, 16; 29:8, 14; 30:27; 34:5; 35:4; 36:6; 37:7, 11, 36; 38:5, 8, 17; 39:6; 40:9f; 41:15, 27; 42:9; 43:19; 47:14; 48:7, 10; 49:12, 22; 51:22; 52:6, 13; 54:11; 58:9; 59:9; 60:2; 62:11; 65:1, 6, 13f, 17f; 66:12, 15 John Calvin comments that…
The Lord God of hosts (Adonai Elohim Sabaoth) (cp study of Jehovah Sabaoth, LORD of hosts or of armies) places emphasis on God's power which should leave the reader with a sure understanding that the judgment prophesied will be carried to completion. Note that the NAS and ESV do not have the word "LORD" (Jehovah) but the KJV and others add this Name so the full title of God in those versions reads "the Lord (adon), the LORD (Jehovah) of hosts". As noted below, Isaiah uses this compound Name of God more than any other OT book (although it is also common in Jeremiah's prophecy). This compound Name of God is found first in Isa 1:24, where "piles" on another divine title the Mighty One of Israel. This name describes God as the Master of all and thus Who can easily accomplish the specific aspects of the removal described in the following passages. Lord (0136) (adon) means the one who is the sovereign master, the One Who has supreme power and authority and is often used in place of Yahweh which many Jews felt was too holy to utter, and emphasizes the supreme authority or absolute mastery of God over all things, animate and inanimate. The NET Bible renders the Name of God in Is 3:1 as "the sovereign LORD". The NET Bible note adds that…
From a practical standpoint, this compound Name makes it clear that it is the providential working of a just God and not "bad luck" that will bring the removal of supply and support from Jerusalem and Judah. The Lord God of hosts - This Name of God is found 34x in 33 verses in the NAS (2Sa 5:10; Ps. 59:5; 69:6; 80:4, 19; 84:8; 89:8; Is 1:24; 3:1, 15; 10:23, 24; 19:4; 22:5, 12, 14, 15; 28:22; Je 2:19; 15:16; 38:17; 44:7; 46:10; 49:5; 50:25, 31; Amos 4:13; 5:14, 15, 16; 6:8, 14; 9:5) The virtually identical compound Name, the Lord, the God of hosts, is use 7 times in the OT - 1 Ki 19:10, 14; Is 10:16, 33; Je 5:14; 35:17; Ho 12:5 Calvin writes that the reason Isaiah refers to God in this passage as..
Jerusalem and Judah - Isaiah is not addressing the Church which was a mystery in the Old Testament. The truths in Isaiah have many applications to the modern Church but the direct recipient of this prophetic exhortation is Jerusalem and Judah (Judah and Jerusalem are specifically addressed 11 times in Isaiah - Isa 1:1, Isa 2:1, Isa 3:1, Isa 3:8, Isa 5:3, Isa 7:1, Isa 22:2, Isa 36:7, Isa 37:10, Isa 40:9, Isa 44:26). Ironside opens his comments on Isaiah 3 writing…
Supply and support - Note the emphasis is on not just most of the supply but the whole supply which will make daily existence difficult. Supply and support are related Hebrew nouns and thus the idea is that supports of every kind would be removed. The thoroughness of God's judgement is pictured by our saying in English that "the rug was pulled out from under my feet"! Clearly Isaiah is speaking of a time of famine as well as disruption of the social fabric of the society. J Vernon McGee has an interesting observation that…
Calvin writes that Isaiah prophetically warns that Jerusalem and Judah…
The question arises as to when did God remove both supply and support for Jerusalem and Judah? Clearly this reached an apex in the Babylonian exile but in another sense this prophecy has been repeated in the years subsequent to the Babylonian exile. Supply (04937) (mish'en) refers literally to a a support and figuratively as here to that which serves as a protector or provider of sustenance. The word is used figuratively as that on which one relies. For example, David in 2Sa 22:19 says that in the day of calamity, Jehovah (Yahweh) was his effective support. Here in Isa 3:1 mish'en is used of the basic physical life supports such as bread and water, that God will remove from Jerusalem. Young makes an interesting observation regarding supply and support noting that these…
Mish'en - 4v in OT - 2Sa22:19, Ps 18:18, Isa 3:1, Isa 10:20 Clarke notes that
Support (04938) (mish'enah) refers to a support such as a walking-stick or staff (Elijah's staff 2Ki 4:29, 30, 31). In Ps 23:4 it refers to the shepherd's staff (with a crook) which is a comfort and guide the straying sheep. The idea of both mish'en and mish'enah is something one leans on. Mish'enah - 11v in OT - Ex 21:19 Nu 21:18 Jdg 6:21 2Ki 4:29, 4:31, 18:21 Ps23:4 Is 3:1, 36:6 Eze 29:6, Zec 8:4 In Leviticus God warned Israel if she disobeyed (cp Lv 26:18)…
Compare Deuteronomy and Ezekiel…
Whole… whole (03605) (kol) occurs over 5000x in the OT (percentage wise most frequently in Deuteronomy [“with the whole heart, the whole soul, and with all your might”] and Ecclesiastes ["everything is vanity"]) and means the totality of something. When accompanied by a negation, kol acquires the meaning “no.” Kol is all inclusive and speaks of the totality of something, in this case the supply of sustenance, which Israel (much like America today) took for granted in the good times that existed when Isaiah was prophesying. Note the repetition of this word kol serves to further emphasize the totality of the reality and severity of this prophetic warning. Bread (03899) (lehem as in the famous "house of bread" = "Bethlehem" = Beth = house + lehem) means bread and more generally speaks of food and/or anything God has provided for nourishment. Calvin paraphrases this first clause as…
Ed Young has a good argument that…
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Isaiah 3:2 The mighty man and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, (NASB: Lockman) |
English Translation of the Greek (Septuagint): the great and mighty man, the warrior and the judge, and the prophet, and the counsellor, and the elder, Amplified: The mighty man and the man of war, the judge and the [professional] prophet, the one who foretells by divination and the old man, (Amplified Bible - Lockman) KJV: The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient, NET: the mighty men and warriors, judges and prophets, omen readers and leaders, (NET Bible) NJB: of hero, warrior, judge, prophet, diviner, elder, (NJB) NLT: He will destroy all the nation's leaders--the heroes, soldiers, judges, prophets, diviners, elders, (NLT - Tyndale House) Young's Literal: Hero and man of war, judge and prophet, And diviner and elder, |
The mighty man and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder : (Is 2:13, 14, 15; 2Ki 24:14, 15, 16; Ps 74:9; La 5:12, 13, 14; Amos 2:3)(Is 9:15; Ezek 8:12; 9:5)
So from bread and water, Isaiah turns to Jerusalem and Judah's sources of security (mighty man… warrior) and leadership, both spiritual and secular. These are the categories of people who in general gave Judah a sense of safety and institutional/governmental order. These were categories of individuals that the laity depended on and their removal would lead to virtual anarchy and radical upheaval of the entire order of society. Motyer sums up this list of leading men noting that…
Warrior… judge - God will remove both the military and civil support, for the judges made decisions and undergirded to functioning of the government. These "stays" would be completely removed. Delitzsch comments that
Calvin writes that regarding the mighty man… warrior…
We encounter an almost verbatim fulfillment of the removal of the leading men by the Babylonians…
The prophet - Although the context is not entirely clear, it is possible Isaiah is referring to false prophets such as those who saw false visions (Ezek 13:9 - see below). The prophet Ezekiel himself was taken in the second siege of Jerusalem in 597BC and although removed from Judah and Jerusalem still functioned as a true prophet of God. As an aside according to rabbinical tradition Isaiah was sawn asunder (cp He 11:37) by order of Manasseh (697-642BC), and after his death the prophetic voice was heard no more until the reign of Josiah. Young comments that…
The diviner (07080) (qasam) is a verb and means to practice divination wherein one seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers. All the major prophets condemned divination (Is. 44:25; Jer. 27:9; 29:8; Ezek. 13:9). The KJV rendering of "prudent" misses the essence of the word. The NIV renders it soothsayer. Qasam - 20x in OT - Deut. 18:10, 14; Jos. 13:22; 1 Sam. 6:2; 28:8; 2 Ki. 17:17; Isa. 3:2; 44:25; Jer. 27:9; 29:8; Ezek. 13:9, 23; 21:21, 23, 29; 22:28; Mic. 3:6, 7, 11; Zech. 10:2 and is rendered in the NAS as conjure(1), divination(2), divine(2), diviner(2), diviners(7), divining(1), practice(1), practiced(1), use(1), uses(1), utter divinations(1). Isaiah's inclusion of diviner and enchanter (Is 3:3) does not signify that he approved of these practices. Unfortunately, the nation had come to "approve" of them and to depend on even these evil, godless methods for their "wisdom" and their survival. Isaiah wrote disparagingly about Babylon trusting in this kind of activity (Is 47:12). Hosea (circa 710BC prophesying primarily to the northern kingdom, cp Isaiah 740-680BC speaking to the southern kingdom) issued a similar prophetic warning that…
God's word is very clear regarding diviners/divination…
Balaam a diviner met a fitting end…
God clearly stated through Ezekiel (who was prophesying to Judah and Jerusalem)…
Zechariah (a post-exilic prophet) writes that…
Mark Phelps writes that divination is…
Unger adds that…
Elder (02205) (zaqen possibly from zaqan = beard) (171 uses in OT and 9 uses in Isaiah = Is 3:2, 5, 14; 9:15; 20:4; 24:23; 37:2; 47:6; 65:20) refers to older individuals and can convey the ideas of individuals who were of dignity, rank, privilege, experience, or authority, as well as those qualified for specific leadership roles. Refer to the article in Holman's Dictionary (Easton; ISBE-NT ISBE-OT) for more in depth discussion of "elders", as used in the Old and New Testaments. The Septuagint translates zaqen with presbuteros (see word study) which referred to men who were older or more senior with no negative connotations but rather a sense of venerability. Presbuteros is transliterated into English as “presbyter” (a leader in one of the Jewish communities--especially a member of the Sanhedrin--or of the early Christian churches) and from which the word “priest” (from Late Latin presbyter) was derived. Presbuteros in the secular Greek culture referred to older men with seniority to serve as ambassadors to other states and as advisors within the political community or in the management of public affairs. So these were men of "ripe age" and experience to whom was committed the direction and in the New Testament the government of individual churches. It should be emphasized that in the context of its Biblical use the concept of elder had less to do with age per se than with the quality of one's spiritual character (reputation is what others think about you but character is what those most intimately associated know is really true about you) and possession of the ability to teach. Simply being older, including even being older in the faith, does not by itself qualify a man for leadership in the church. |
Isaiah 3:3 The captain of fifty and the honorable * man, the counselor and the expert artisan, and the skillful enchanter. (NASB: Lockman) |
English Translation of the Greek (Septuagint): the captain of fifty also, and the honourable counsellor, and the wise artificer, and the intelligent hearer. Amplified: The captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the expert craftsman and the skillful enchanter. (Amplified Bible - Lockman) KJV: The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator. NET: captains of groups of fifty, the respected citizens, advisers and those skilled in magical arts, and those who know incantations. (NET Bible) NJB: captain, dignitary, counsellor, architect, soothsayer. (NJB) NLT: army officers, honorable citizens, advisers, skilled magicians, and expert enchanters. (NLT - Tyndale House) Young's Literal: Head of fifty, and accepted of faces, and counsellor, and the wise of artificers, And the intelligent of charmers. |
The captain of fifty and the honorable man, the counselor and the expert artisan, and the skillful enchanter: (Ex 18:21; Dt 1:15; 1Sa 8:12) (Honorable - Jdg 8:18) (Enchanter - Ex 4:10,14, 15, 16)
Delitzsch comments that the names of the leaders of the military and of society
The captain of fifty - see 2Ki 1:8, 2:16, 17, 1Sa 8:12. This term designates a specific leader of 50 men. Compare this Hebrew phrase to the Roman term centurion (from Latin = centurio = century), a military officer who commanded a hundred men. The honorable - This is a Hebrew idiom which more literally reads "the ones lifted up with respect to the face" (cp "highly respected" = 2Ki 5:1 and "accepted of face" = 2Ki 5:1YLT) Counselor (03289) (ya'ats/ya'as) (74x in the OT and 17x in Isaiah = Is 1:26; 3:3; 7:5; 9:6; 14:24, 26, 27; 19:11, 12, 17; 23:8, 9; 32:7, 8; 40:14; 41:28; 45:21) is a verb meaning to advise or counsel. It's most "famous" use is in the description of the Messiah (Is 9:6 "Counselor"). Expert (chakam) wise, skilled, experienced. Artisan (charash) craftsmen, engravers (basically describes those skilled in some craft such as metalwork, 1Chr 14:1, woodwork 1Chr 14:1, stonework Ex 28:11). There may however be an additional nuance intended because the word for artisan is also used later by Isaiah to describe those skilled at making idols (Is 40:19, 20, 44:11, 12, 13, 45:16)! There is no question that they will be removed from the land of Judah! (These will be carried away - See 2Ki 24:14, 16, Je 24:1, 29:2) The skillful enchanter - More literally this reads "the wise with respect to magic", describing one who could whisper or mutter magical "formulas" (one instructed in whispering) in clear defiance to God's holy law (see below). Some feel this represents those who attempt to communicate with the dead (spiritism) (cp Is 8:19) Skillful (0995)(biyn) primarily speaks of understanding or insight and in this context indicates that these men had specialized knowledge that they effectively implemented. Enchanter (03908) (lahas) was one skilled in magic arts and/or charming, eg, the act of charming snakes through soothing sounds or whispering (Eccl 10:11, Je 8:17). It is interesting that this same Hebrew noun (lahas) is the same word used to describe the amulets worn by the haughty women (Is 3:16-note) in Isa 3:20-note. The diviner (in Is 3:3) and enchanter in this passage were both clearly prohibited by God, Moses recording that…
Later in Isaiah God describes the utter and complete impotency of divination, witchcraft, sorcery, astrology, etc, in the time of His judgment …
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Isaiah 3:4 And I will make mere lads their princes, and capricious children will rule over them, (NASB: Lockman) |
English Translation of the Greek (Septuagint): And I will make youths their princes, and mockers shall have dominion over them. Amplified: And I will make boys their princes, and with childishness shall they rule over them [with outrage instead of justice]. (Amplified Bible - Lockman) KJV: And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. NET: The LORD says, "I will make youths their officials; malicious young men will rule over them. (NET Bible) NJB: I shall give them boys for princes, raw lads to rule over them.' (NJB) NLT: Then he will appoint children to rule over them, and anarchy will prevail. (NLT - Tyndale House) Young's Literal: And I have made youths their heads, And sucklings rule over them. |
And I will make mere lads their princes, and capricious children will rule over them: (1Ki 3:7, 8, 9; 2Chr 33:1; 34:1; 36:2,5,9,11; Eccl 10:16)
Delitzsch writes that…
I will - In context, this is clearly the LORD Himself speaking these words of judgment. While it is difficult to discern when the LORD ceases speaking in the following verses, certainly by Is 3:8 Isaiah is once again speaking (for he refers to the LORD in the third person). Mere lads - Nature abhors a vacuum and so does leadership. So when God takes away those things (and people) in which Judah had placed their trust and depended upon for military security and social order, this "vacuum" would be filled by those who were inadequate, incompetent and ill equipped to lead individuals (mere lads). We have a clear record of this pattern when the kingdom was torn from Solomon's son, Rehoboam, who refused the counsel of the elders and instead listened to the foolish counsel of young men. (see 1Ki 12:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15). Contrast Solomon's attitude at the inception of his rule after David (1Ki 3:7). As Delitzsch notes it is
Lads (05288) (naar) refers to a boy or young man and the Septuagint translates it with neaniskos which refers to a relatively young man or youth. Capricious children will rule over them - The NET Bible (ref) has "malicious young men will rule over them". The NLT paraphrases it - "anarchy shall prevail". The Amplified has "with childishness shall they rule over them [with outrage instead of justice]". Capricious (08586)(ta'alulim) means wantonness (wanton describes one hard to control, one who is playfully mean, one who is maliciously and unnecessarily cruel or destructive, one who acts without justification). It describes those who are unstable, capricious and thus unpredictable. Constable observes that…
The NET Bible note adds that…
Solomon writes…
This prophecy was literally fulfilled when the Manasseh [circa 697-642BC] began his reign over Judah at age 12. (see 2Chr 33:1,2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) Clarke adds that…
Young has an excellent word for America…
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Isaiah 3:5 And the people will be oppressed, each one by another, and each one by his neighbor; The youth will storm against the elder and the inferior against the honorable. (NASB: Lockman) |
English Translation of the Greek (Septuagint): And the people shall fall, man upon man, and every man upon his neighbor: the child shall insult the elder man, and the base the honourable. Amplified: And the people shall be oppressed, each one by another, and each one by his neighbor; the child shall behave himself proudly and with insolence against the old man, and the lowborn against the honorable [person of rank]. (Amplified Bible - Lockman) KJV: And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable. NET: The people will treat each other harshly; men will oppose each other; neighbors will fight. Youths will proudly defy the elderly and riffraff will challenge those who were once respected. (NET Bible) NJB: People will be ill-treated by one another, each by his neighbour; the young will insult the aged, and the low, the respected. (NJB) NLT: People will take advantage of each other--man against man, neighbor fighting neighbor. Young people will revolt against authority, and nobodies will sneer at honorable people. (NLT - Tyndale House) Young's Literal: And the people hath exacted -- man upon man, Even a man on his neighbour, Enlarge themselves do the youths against the aged, And the lightly esteemed against the honoured. |
And the people will be oppressed, each one by another, and each one by his neighbor; The youth will storm against the elder and the inferior against the honorable:
Delitzsch comments that
In chapter 9 Isaiah records a similar refrain…
The following passages further amplify Isaiah's picture of a divisive spirit and absorption in self sustenance - Is 11:13; Je 9:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8; 22:17; Ezek 22:6,7,12; Amos 4:1; Mic 3:1, 2, 3,11; Zec 7:9, 10, 11; Mal 3:5; Jas 2:6; 5:4) Oppressed (05065)(nagas) to oppress, to be pressed or harassed, to drive (be a taskmaster), to exact (to call for forcibly, to force or compel, to extort, to demand as a right, to insist upon), to exert demanding pressure. The root conveys the sense of exertion of demanding oppressive pressure for payment or labor. Although nagas is a verb, the participle is used to describe a taskmaster or slave driver. For example in Ex 3:7 the taskmasters caused affliction of God's people, but in the present context the affliction is not from the Egyptians, but from one Jew to another illustrative of the total breakdown of society in Judah and Jerusalem. Delitzsch comments that nagas
Nagas - 23v in the OT - Exod. 3:7; 5:6, 10, 13f; Deut. 15:2f; 1 Sam. 13:6; 14:24; 2 Ki. 23:35; Job 3:18; 39:7; Isa. 3:5, 12; 9:4; 14:2, 4; 53:7; 58:3; 60:17; Dan. 11:20; Zech. 9:8; 10:4. Isaiah use of nagas in chapter 58 helps us get a sense of the meaning of this verb where God answers the peoples' question regarding fasting…
In another use of nagas we read…
The NAS translates nagas as drive hard(1), driver(1), exact(2), exacted(1), hard-pressed(2), oppressed(2), oppressor(4), oppressors(2), overseers(1), ruler(1), taskmaster(1), taskmasters(5). The Septuagint translates nagas with the Greek verb sumpipto (literally = fall together) which means to collapse (Lk 6:49), to experience inward breakdown (collapse). The sense in the context seems to be that the people shall experience an inward breakdown as all the pillars of society are removed by Jehovah. Grogan writes that…
Each one by another - Literally "man against man". Each one by his neighbor - Literally "A man against his neighbor". The youth will storm against the elder - A description of chaos and anarchy (cp Jdg 21:25) Storm (proudly defy) (07292) (rahab) means to press one's plea or be in a state of contention with someone, especially describes verbal or legal strife. Rahab denotes a loud-mouthed, tempestuous and then even arrogant attitude. The idea is to act fiercely against, to act boisterously, to act arrogantly, to press upon as in Pr 6:3 (importune). Rahab - 4x in the OT - Ps. 138:3; Pr 6:3; Song 6:5; Isa. 3:5 The Septuagint translates rahab in this verse with the verb proskopto (word study) which literally means to strike against (Mt 4:6), to make contact with someone in a bruising or violent manner (Mt 7:27 "burst against), to cause offense or displeasure. Proskopto in its literal use pictures a traveler who bumps against an obstacle and is caused to stumble. Young adds that…
Inferior (07034)(qalah) is from a root which signifies the lowering of another’s social position and is frequently (as in this verse) used as the antonym of "glory and honor" (kabod). The idea is the person who is lightly esteemed or even despised. Veritable "nobodies" are coming against those who are Judah and Jerusalem's to be respected. Young rightly observes that…
The Septuagint translates qalah in this verse with the adjective atimos meaning literally without honor and thus those who are disrespected, despised or considered insignificant (in this context) in the Judean society. Qalah - 6v in OT - Dt 25:3; 27:16; 1Sa 18:23; Pr 12:9; Is 3:5; 16:14 and rendered in the NAS as degraded(2), dishonors(1), inferior(1), lightly esteemed(2). Honorable (03513) (kabod) is from a root word meaning weighty or heavy and here speaks of a "weighty" person in society, one who is honorable, impressive, worthy of respect and which is the meaning in >50% of uses. Kabod is used to describe God in Is 3:8 (literally = the eyes of His glory) The Septuagint translates kabod in this verse with the adjective entimos (en = in + time = honor, respect, reverence, esteem) meaning literally "in honor" and thus those who are respected, esteemed to be somebodies of considerable worth or those who are highly regarded. The inferior against the honorable - "the lightly esteemed against the honoured" (YLT) The NET Bible has a picturesque rendering of this phrase = "riffraff will challenge those who were once respected". Honor will take a backseat in this society in which the moral order is turned upside down. The picture is that of a society whose underpinnings are broken and which is therefore in total disarray. This is inevitably what happens when God removes the pillars of a society. Beloved, can we as believers in Jesus Christ read these passages and not lament and mourn over the current state of affairs in America, where we have seen prayer and Bible reading removed from schools for over 3 decades. Are we not reaping the bitter harvest from these God rejecting seeds as we witness the foundations of a once strong moral structure crumbling before our very eyes? I cannot write these words without thinking of God's encouraging words of mercy in the midst of His warnings of wrath when He declared…
God was speaking to Israel in this passage but the principle surely applies to His Church. Dear believer, are you praying this prayer urgently and incessantly for America? If not please consider making this prayer a priority, for in the absence of a heaven sent revival, America is destined for far more difficult times as we continually remove every vestige of God from our society. |