Isaiah 10 31

Isaiah 10:31 kjv

Madmenah is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves to flee.

Isaiah 10:31 nkjv

Madmenah has fled, The inhabitants of Gebim seek refuge.

Isaiah 10:31 niv

Madmenah is in flight; the people of Gebim take cover.

Isaiah 10:31 esv

Madmenah is in flight; the inhabitants of Gebim flee for safety.

Isaiah 10:31 nlt

There go the people of Madmenah, all fleeing.
The citizens of Gebim are trying to hide.

Isaiah 10 verses

Isaiah 10 31 Meaning

This verse speaks of the devastating approach of a conquering enemy towards Judah. It describes the relentless advance of the Assyrian army, striking terror into the hearts of the inhabitants of the land, even reaching cities like Nob. The consequence is flight and scattering, indicating the complete overthrow and subjugation of the people.

Isaiah 10 31 Context

This verse is situated within Isaiah chapter 10, which primarily addresses the impending judgment upon the Assyrian empire for its arrogance and oppressive actions against Israel and other nations. The prophecy recounts Assyria's devastating military campaigns and their boastful pride in their own power. Chapter 10:5-15 details God's use of Assyria as a rod of His anger against a sinful nation (implied to be Israel or surrounding nations). However, it then turns to pronounce judgment upon Assyria itself (10:15-19) for exceeding its mandate and acting in pride. The verses immediately preceding 10:31 (10:27-31) begin to describe the direct threat posed by the Assyrian army as it advances southward into the territory of Judah. The specific mention of Nob, a Levitical city near Jerusalem, signifies the terrifying proximity of the enemy.

Isaiah 10 31 Word Analysis

• הִנֵּה (hinneh): "Behold" or "Lo." This is an interjection used to draw attention to what follows, emphasizing the imminent and serious nature of the message. It signals a crucial announcement.
• הִנֵּה (hinneh): Repeated for emphasis, intensifying the alert to the approaching danger.
• סֹלּוּ (solu): Imperative, masculine plural, from the root סָלַל (salal), meaning "to heap up," "to raise a mound," or "to cast." Here it implies the army is moving forward like an advancing wave or mound, accumulating its force and creating a fearsome presence. Scholars suggest it can also refer to being "put away" or removed, signifying their displacement by a conquering force, but the context of "pass ye away" strongly supports movement and advance.
• צִפּוֹר (tsippor): "Bird." It signifies smallness, defenselessness, or utter rout. The image is of birds scattering in terror when a predator approaches or a loud noise occurs.
• קֵן (qen): "Nest."
• מִקֵּן (miqqen): "From the nest" or "out of the nest."
• כֵּן (ken): "So" or "thus." Indicates manner or consequence.
• מְנוּסַת (menūsāt): "Frightened away" or "driven away in terror." Feminine construct form from the root נוּס (nus), meaning "to flee." This emphasizes the psychological impact of the enemy's approach.
• יִשְׁעִיָּהוּ (Yish‘iyyahu): "My salvation is Yahweh." This is Isaiah's own name, the prophet bearing the message. The contrast between his name and the verse's content about impending disaster highlights the redemptive theme in the midst of judgment.

Words-group Analysis

The phrase "Solu tsippor mi-qen ken menūsat Yish‘iyyahu" is a vivid depiction of a fearful scattering. "Solu tsippor mi-qen" evokes the image of birds fleeing from their nest, a common metaphor for utter disarray and panicked escape. The grammatical structure suggests an active taking flight. The latter part, "ken menūsat Yish‘iyyahu," confirms this interpretation by directly linking this flight to "Yish‘iyyahu" (Isaiah), which can be understood as a general reference to "my salvation" in a broad sense or even pointing to the inhabitants of the land who are seeking salvation but are instead driven to flight. This entire phrase serves as a powerful analogy for the terror and dispersion of people facing an overwhelming enemy. The juxtaposition with Isaiah's own name adds a layer of poignant irony or profound statement about the inability of human salvation to protect from this divine judgment, emphasizing reliance on God Himself rather than worldly armies or stratagems.

Isaiah 10 31 Bonus Section

The prophet Isaiah frequently employs natural imagery to communicate divine messages, such as the scattering of birds or the mighty power of storms. This chapter also showcases Isaiah's skill in prophetic warfare, describing the enemy's movements in precise, terrifying detail to impress upon his audience the severity of the coming judgment. The repeated use of "Behold" ("Hinneh") underscores the imminence and certainty of the events described. This verse stands as a precursor to further judgments and ultimate deliverance, illustrating a cycle of judgment and restoration that is a hallmark of Isaiah's prophecy. The specific mention of Nob serves as a geographical marker that would have resonated deeply with Isaiah's original audience, bringing the threat immediately close to home.

Isaiah 10 31 Commentary

Isaiah 10:31 paints a dire picture of an unstoppable military advance, specifically depicting the Assyrian army's threatening movement towards Judah. The prophet uses potent imagery of birds fleeing their nest in terror to convey the panic and scattering of the population. Nob, a significant town near Jerusalem, is specifically named as a target, illustrating how close the enemy has come to the very heart of the kingdom. This verse functions as a stark warning of the devastating consequences of military might and the vulnerability of even fortified cities. The chapter as a whole critiques the pride and reliance on military strength of the nations, particularly Assyria, and the verse reinforces the message that God will judge such arrogance.