Isaiah 3:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 3:1-8

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 3:4

And I will give children to be their princes ,.... Either in age, or in understanding, who are really so, or act like such; and in either sense, when this is the case, it is an unhappiness to a nation, Ecclesiastes 10:16 , and babes shall rule over them ; which is the same as before. The Targum is, "the weak shall rule over them;' such who are weak in their intellectuals, or are of mean pusillanimous spirits, "effeminate", as the Vulgate Latin version renders it; and so as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 3:4

I will give children to be their princes "I will make boys their princes" - This also was fully accomplished in the succession of weak and wicked princes, from the death of Josiah to the destruction of the city and temple, and the taking of Zedekiah, the last of them, by Nebuchadnezzar. Babes shall rule over them - Dymennysche men schul lordschopen to hem . - Old MS. Bible. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 3:1-7

GOD 'S JUDGMENT UPON JERUSALEM . The general denunciations against Israel of the two preceding chapters are here turned especially against Jerusalem. God will deprive her of all her superior and more honorable classes ( Isaiah 3:1-3 ); and will give her "children" for her rulers ( Isaiah 3:4 ). There will be continued oppression, and the rise of an insolent and undutiful spirit ( Isaiah 3:5 ). Those fit to bear rule will refuse to do so ( Isaiah 3:6 , Isaiah 3:7 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 3:1-7

Many steps in the decay of states. Ruin does not often come on states at once, even when God has determined on it. There are many steps in the fall of a great nation. I. CESSATION OF A SUCCESSION OF GREAT AND WISE MEN . ( Isaiah 3:2 , Isaiah 3:3 .) One of the first marks of decay is a falling off in this succession. When the intervals between one great man and another lengthen; when wise men, capable of giving the state good counsel, grow rare; when mediocrity... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 3:1-8

National and spiritual anarchy. We have a vivid picture here of— I. NATIONAL ANARCHY . 1. Its cause is found in national rebellion against its rightful Lord. "Their tongue and their doings are against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of his glory" ( Isaiah 3:8 ). Sin, both in word and deed, draws down the righteous indignation of God, and, under his just administration, the penalty of iniquity is paid. 2. Its signs are seen in: 3. Its issue . ( Isaiah 3:8 .)... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 3:4

I will give children to be their princes ; rather, youths than "children." The extreme youth of the later kings of Judah at the date of their accession is very remarkable. After Hezekiah, only one was as much as twenty-five years old when he came to the throne. Jehoahaz was twenty-three ( 2 Kings 23:31 ); Amon, twenty-two ( 2 Kings 21:19 ); Zedekiah twenty-one ( 2 Kings 24:18 ); Jehoiachin, eighteen ( 2 Kings 24:8 ); Manasseh, twelve ( 2 Kings 21:1 ); and Josiah eight ( 2... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 3:4

The evil of childish rulers. "Babes shall rule over them." No greater calamity can come on a nation than the succession of mere children to the throne, and government by regency and party. Ahaz ascended the throne at the age of twenty ( 2 Chronicles 28:1 ). Manasseh at age of twelve; Josiah at age of eight ( 2 Chronicles 33:1 ; 2 Chronicles 34:1 ). The evil was, of course, exaggerated in Eastern countries, where kings are irresponsible despots. "In an Eastern monarchy the rule of a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 3:4

And I will give children - Not children in respect to age so much as in regard to talent for governing. I will commit the land to the government of weak and imbecile princes. This would naturally occur when the wise and great were removed; compare Ecclesiastes 10:16 : ‘Wo to thee, O land, when thy king is a child;’ compare Isaiah 3:12.And babes shall rule ... - That is, babes in experience and knowledge. This was fully accomplished in the succession of weak and wicked princes that succeeded... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 3:4-5

Isaiah 3:4-5. And I will give children to be their princes Either, 1st, Children in age, whose minority corrupt ministers of state commonly abuse, to the producing of much evil: or, 2d, In understanding and experience. When all the eminent persons, mentioned Isaiah 3:2-3, were removed, the necessary consequence must be, that persons of no qualifications for government must succeed in their places. This also was fully accomplished in the succession of weak and wicked princes, from the death... read more

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