Isaiah 3
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The first five verses of this chapter allude to the subject of the last; and contain earnest exhortations to repentance, with gracious promises of pardon, notwithstanding every aggravation of guilt, Jer 3:1-5. At the sixth verse a new section of prophecy commences, opening with a complaint against Judah for having exceeded in guilt her sister Israel, already cast off for her idolatry, Jer 3:6-11. She is cast off, but not forever; for to this same Israel, whose place of captivity (Assyria) lay to the north of Judea, pardon is promised on her repentance, together with a restoration to the Church of God, along with her sister Judah, in the latter days, Jer 3:12-20. The prophet foretells the sorrow and repentance of the children of Israel under the Gospel dispensation, Jer 3:21. God renews his gracious promises, Jer 3:22; and they again confess their sins. In this confession their not deigning to name the idol Baal, the source of their calamities, but calling him in the abstract shame, or a thing of shame, is a nice touch of the perusal extremely beautiful and natural, Jer 3:22-25.
Open source ↗(Isa. 3:1-26) For--continuation of Isa 2:22. Lord of hosts--therefore able to do as He says. doth--present for future, so certain is the accomplishment. stay . . . staff--the same Hebrew word, the one masculine, the other feminine, an Arabic idiom for all kinds of support. What a change from the previous luxuries (Isa 2:7)! Fulfilled in the siege by Nebuchadnezzar and afterwards by Titus (Jer 37:21; Jer 38:9).
Open source ↗For, behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts,.... These titles of Jehovah, expressive of power and authority, are used to show that he is able to execute what he threatens to do; and the word "behold" is prefixed, to excite attention to what is about to be said: doth take away from Jerusalem, and from Judea; the present tense is used for the future, because of the certainty of what would be done to the Jews, both in city and country; for as in the preceding chapter Isa 2:1 it is foretold what shall befall the antichristian party among the nations of the world, this is a prophecy of the destruction of the Jews by the Romans; at which time there would be a dreadful famine, signified by the taking away the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water; bread and water being the stay and staff of man's life, which support and maintain it; and, in case of disobedience, a famine was threatened this people very early, and in much such terms as here, Lev 26:26 and as there was a very sore famine at the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, Jer 52:6 so there was a very dreadful one when the city was besieged by the Romans, as related by Josephus, and predicted by Christ, Mat 24:7.
Open source ↗"For, behold, the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, takes away from Jerusalem and from Judah supporter and means of support, every support of bread and every support of water." The divine name given here, "The Lord, Jehovah of hosts," with which Isaiah everywhere introduces the judicial acts of God (cf., Isa 1:24; Isa 10:16, Isa 10:33; Isa 19:4), is a proof that the proclamation of judgment commences afresh here. Trusting in man was the crying sin, more especially of the times of Uzziah-Jotham. The glory of the kingdom at that time carried the wrath of Jehovah within it. The outbreak of that wrath commenced in the time of Ahaz; and even under Hezekiah it was merely suspended, not changed. Isaiah foretells this outbreak of wrath. He describes how Jehovah will lay the Jewish state in ruins, by taking away the main supports of its existence and growth. "Supporter and means of support" (mash'en and mash'enah) express, first of all, the general idea. The two nouns, which are only the masculine and feminine forms of one and the same word (compare Mic 2:4; Nah 2:11, and the examples from the Syriac and Arabic in Ewald, 172, c), serve to complete the generalization: fulcra omne genus (props of every kind, omnigena). They are both technical terms, denoting the prop which a person uses to support anything, whilst mish'an signifies that which yields support; so that the three correspond somewhat to the Latin fulcrum, fultura, fulcimen. Of the various means of support, bread and wine are mentioned first, not in a figurative sense, but as the two indispensable conditions and the lowest basis of human life. Life is supported by bread and water: it walks, as it were, upon the crutch of bread, so that "breaking the staff of bread" (Lev 26:26; Eze 4:16; Eze 5:16; Eze 14:13; Psa 105:16) is equival…
Open source ↗The prophet, in the close of the foregoing chapter, had given a necessary caution to all not to put confidence in man, or any creature; he had also given a general reason for that caution, taken from the frailty of human life and the vanity and weakness of human powers. Here he gives a particular reason for it - God was now about to ruin all their creature-confidences, so that they should meet with nothing but disappointments in all their expectations from them (Isa 3:1): The stay and the staff shall be taken away, all their supports, of what kind soever, all the things they trusted to and looked for help and relief from. Their church and kingdom had now grown old and were going to decay, and they were (after the manner of aged men, Zac 8:4) leaning on a staff: now God threatens to take away their staff, and then they must fall of course, to take away the stays of both the city and the country, of Jerusalem and of Judah, which are indeed stays to one another, and, if one fail, the other feels from it. He that does this is the Lord, the Lord of hosts - Adon, the Lord that is himself the stay or foundation; if that stay depart, all other stays certainly break under us, for he is the strength of them all. He that is the Lord, the ruler, that has authority to do it, and the Lord of hosts, that has the ability to do it, he shall take away the stay and the staff. St. Jerome refers this to the sensible decay of the Jewish nation after they had crucified our Saviour, Rom 11:9, Rom 11:10. I rather take it as a warning to all nations not to provoke God; for if they make him their enemy, he can and will thus make them miserable. Let us view the particulars. I. Was their plenty a support to them? It is so to any people; bread is the staff of life: but God can take away the whole st…
Open source ↗3:1-12 These verses continue the subject of judgment against Israel’s leadership (see 1:23-25). The removal of leadership at all levels would allow the mob to gain control. Chaos and famine would turn Judah and Jerusalem into a social wasteland. 3:1 take away . . . bread . . . water: God had long ago warned of famine, with its horrible conditions that sometimes led to desperate acts, as one possible judgment for wickedness (Lev 26:26-29).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… מִשְׁעֵן (mishʻên, H4937) — a support (concretely), i.e. (figuratively) a protector or sustenance מִשְׁעֵנָה (mishʻênâh, H4938) — support (abstractly), i.e. (figuratively) sustenance or (concretely) a walking-stick לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) כֹּל (kôl, H3605) — properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a… מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Open source ↗גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man קָסַם (qâçam, H7080) — properly, to distribute, i.e. determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to… זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old
Open source ↗שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) חֲמִשִּׁים (chămishshîym, H2572) — fifty נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יָעַץ (yâʻats, H3289) — to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) חֶרֶשׁ (cheresh, H2791) — magical craft; also silence בִּין (bîyn, H995) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand לַחַשׁ (lachash, H3908) — properly, a whisper, i.e. by implication, (in a good sense) a private prayer, (in a bad…
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) תַּעֲלוּל (taʻălûwl, H8586) — caprice (as a fit coming on), i.e. vexation; concretely a tyrant מָשַׁל (mâshal, H4910) — to rule
Open source ↗עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… נָגַשׂ (nâgas, H5065) — to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication, to tax, harass,… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… רֵעַ (rêaʻ, H7453) — an associate (more or less close) נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… רָהַב (râhab, H7292) — to urge severely, i.e. (figuratively) importune, embolden, capture, act insolently זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old קָלָה (qâlâh, H7034) — to be light (as implied in rapid motion), but figuratively, only (be (causatively, hold)… כָּבַד (kâbad, H3513) — to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous,…
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… תָּפַשׂ (tâphas, H8610) — to manipulate, i.e. seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay;… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application שִׂמְלָה (simlâh, H8071) — a dress, especially a mantle קָצִין (qâtsîyn, H7101) — a magistrate (as deciding) or other leader מַכְשֵׁלָה (makshêlâh, H4384) — a stumbling-block, but only figuratively (fall, enticement (idol)) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חָבַשׁ (châbash, H2280) — to wrap firmly (especially a turban, compress, or saddle); figuratively, to stop, to rule בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) שִׂמְלָה (simlâh, H8071) — a dress, especially a mantle שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… קָצִין (qâtsîyn, H7101) — a magistrate (as deciding) or other leader עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine כָּשַׁל (kâshal, H3782) — to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication,… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… לָשׁוֹן (lâshôwn, H3956) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or… מַעֲלָל (maʻălâl, H4611) — an act (good or bad) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָרָה (mârâh, H4784) — to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist;… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
Open source ↗הַכָּרָה (hakkârâh, H1971) — respect, i.e. partiality פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or… סְדֹם (Çᵉdôm, H5467) — Sedom, a place near the Dead Sea כָּחַד (kâchad, H3582) — to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy אוֹי (ʼôwy, H188) — lamentation; also interjectionally Oh! נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… גָּמַל (gâmal, H1580) — to treat a person (well or ill), i.e. benefit or requite; by implication (of toil), to… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) פְּרִי (pᵉrîy, H6529) — fruit (literally or figuratively) מַעֲלָל (maʻălâl, H4611) — an act (good or bad)
Open source ↗אוֹי (ʼôwy, H188) — lamentation; also interjectionally Oh! רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) גְּמוּל (gᵉmûwl, H1576) — treatment, i.e. an act (of good or ill); by implication, service or requital יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… עָלַל (ʻâlal, H5953) — to effect thoroughly; specifically, to glean (also figuratively); by implication (in a… נָגַשׂ (nâgas, H5065) — to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication, to tax, harass,… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman מָשַׁל (mâshal, H4910) — to rule אָשַׁר (ʼâshar, H833) — to be straight (used in the widest sense, especially to be level, right, happy);… תָּעָה (tâʻâh, H8582) — to vacillate, i.e. reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both בָּלַע (bâlaʻ, H1104) — to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb אֹרַח (ʼôrach, H734) — a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָצַב (nâtsab, H5324) — to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively) רִיב (rîyb, H7378) — properly, to toss, i.e. grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. hold a… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) דִּין (dîyn, H1777) — a straight course, i.e. sail direct עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) בָּעַר (bâʻar, H1197) — to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish כֶּרֶם (kerem, H3754) — a garden or vineyard גְּזֵלָה (gᵉzêlâh, H1500) — {robbery, or (concretely) plunder} עָנִי (ʻânîy, H6041) — depressed, in mind or circumstances בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
When I cut off your supply of bread, ten women will bake your bread in a single oven and dole out your bread by weight, so that you will eat but not be satisfied.
Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will be relieved of My foes and avenge Myself on My enemies.
“Son of man, if a land sins against Me by acting unfaithfully, and I stretch out My hand against it to cut off its supply of food, to send famine upon it, and to cut off from it both man and beast,
Thus says your Lord, the LORD, even your God, who defends His people: “See, I have removed from your hand the cup of staggering. From that goblet, the cup of My fury, you will never drink again.
“My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have dropped him into the cistern, where he will starve to death, for there is no more bread in the city.”
Put no more trust in man, who has only the breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?
He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food.
Therefore My people will go into exile for their lack of understanding; their dignitaries are starving and their masses are parched with thirst.
But the Rabshakeh replied, “Has my master sent me to speak these words only to you and your master, and not to the men sitting on the wall, who are destined with you to eat their own dung and drink their own urine?”
So King Zedekiah gave orders for Jeremiah to be placed in the courtyard of the guard and given a loaf of bread daily from the street of the bakers, until all the bread in the city was gone. So Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.