behold. Figure of speech Asterismos , for emphasis. the the LORD of hosts. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3 . stay. staff. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia . Hebrew. mash'en (masculine); mish'an (feminine) bread. water. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), for all kinds of food. read more
This chapter carries an extensive denunciation of the apostate and hardened Israel's reprobate society, regarding that of the rulers and judges of the nation and also that of the vain and artificial women of the nation; and with all this, there is also a formal statement of the ultimate judgment against the whole nation, uttered in the present perfect tense as prophecy certain to be fulfilled."Here is a study in disintegration."[1] It is a sad picture of a society which has forsaken its moral... read more
Isaiah 3:1. For behold, the Lord, &c.— The prophet had, in the preceding chapter, declared in general the terror of the day of the Lord. He now descends to a more particular explication of it. The connecting particle for, in this verse, evidently shews its connection with what has preceded. We have in this prophecy, first, a general proposition, in which God denounces that he will deprive the Jews of all protection; in this verse:—Secondly, a declaration of the particulars of this calamity,... read more
1. For—continuation of :-. 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 ( :-)! Fulfilled in the siege by Nebuchadnezzar and afterwards by Titus (Jeremiah 37:21; Jeremiah 38:9). read more
"For" ties this section to the argument of Isaiah 2:6-22. "Behold" (Heb. hinneh) commonly introduces a threat in prophetic material. The multiple names of God again hint at judgment to come (cf. Isaiah 1:24; Isaiah 10:16; Isaiah 10:33; Isaiah 19:4). God was going to remove what was essential from Judah and Jerusalem. "Supply" (Heb. mash’en) and "support" (Heb. mash’ena) are masculine and feminine forms of the same word in Hebrew, meaning a staff, suggesting that every type of support will be... read more
The folly of trusting in people 3:1-4:1This section gives particular examples of the general statements that precede it. Isaiah’s point was that depending on people will not yield the glorious destiny of Israel depicted in Isaiah 2:1-4. The prophet used imagery to make his point rather than logical argumentation. read more
The dearth of leadership 3:1-15The emphasis in this pericope is on the lack of qualified leaders and the consequent collapse of society that would result because God’s people put their trust in people rather than in Him. The name "the Lord [sovereign] God of Hosts [the Almighty]" forms an inclusio around this section (Isaiah 3:1; Isaiah 3:15)."To make great men the source of a nation’s greatness is always to end up with a dearth of great men. Unless the greatness comes from within the community... read more
1. Stay and the staff] A prophecy of famine: cp. Isaiah 3:7, as the clause following explains. But if the latter clause is a gloss then ’stay and staff’ would refer to the classes upon which the stability of the life of the community depends. ’Staff’ in the Heb. is the fern, form of ’stay.’2. The prudent] RV ’the diviner,’ at this time in high estimation (Isaiah 2:6). The ancient] RM ’the elder,’ who held offices in villages and towns (Ruth 4:2, Ruth 4:4; 2 Kings 10:1). 3. Artificer] cp.... read more
III.(1) For, behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem . . .—From the general picture of the state of Judah as a whole, of the storm of Divine wrath bursting over the whole land, Isaiah turns to the Holy City itself, and draws the picture of what he saw there of evil, of that which would be seen before long as the punishment of the evil.The stay and the staff . . .—In the existing Hebrew text the words receive an immediate interpretation, as meaning the two chief... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 3:1-26
Ungodly society (3:1-4:1)Isaiah now gives a picture of the end of a society characterized by human self-sufficiency and self-centredness. The government collapses, resulting in a shortage of basic necessities such as food and water. Judah had previously depended for leadership on a variety of people, good and bad - statesmen, soldiers, judges, prophets, magicians - but now no one can be found to lead the country (3:1-3). Power falls into the hands of immature youths, and lawlessness results.... read more