Isaiah 3 1

Isaiah 3:1 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.

Isaiah 3:1 nkjv

For behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, Takes away from Jerusalem and from Judah The stock and the store, The whole supply of bread and the whole supply of water;

Isaiah 3:1 niv

See now, the Lord, the LORD Almighty, is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: all supplies of food and all supplies of water,

Isaiah 3:1 esv

For behold, the Lord GOD of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and supply, all support of bread, and all support of water;

Isaiah 3:1 nlt

The Lord, the LORD of Heaven's Armies,
will take away from Jerusalem and Judah
everything they depend on:
every bit of bread
and every drop of water,

Isaiah 3 verses

Isaiah 3 1 Meaning

This verse pronounces an imminent and certain judgment from God upon Jerusalem and Judah. The sovereign God of hosts is about to remove every form of support and sustenance, specifically the vital provisions of bread and water. This signifies a complete collapse of society and life as they know it, caused by a divine act of withdrawal due to their unfaithfulness and rebellion.

Isaiah 3 1 Context

Isaiah chapter 3:1 begins a section detailing the catastrophic consequences of Judah’s societal decay and moral depravity. Immediately following a stern warning against human pride and an exhortation to turn to God (Isa 2), this verse lays out the foundational act of God’s judgment: the withdrawal of all basic support. The ensuing verses (Isa 3:2-12) explain precisely what the "strength and supply" entails – the removal of effective leaders, wise counsel, and order, leading to anarchy, oppression of the poor, and the degradation of women and children. This divine action directly addresses the spiritual sickness (Isa 1) and idolatrous pride (Isa 2) that characterize Judah and Jerusalem, setting the stage for national humiliation and desolation as a consequence of their persistent sin.

Isaiah 3 1 Word analysis

• For behold (כִּי הִנֵּה – ki hinneh):

  • "For" (ki): A causal conjunction, indicating that what follows is a reason or explanation for what was just declared (the Lord humbling the proud in Isa 2).
  • "behold" (hinneh): An emphatic particle used to call urgent attention to a new or significant announcement, marking a dramatic and certain prophetic utterance. It signals the immediate reality and gravity of the divine action.

• the Lord GOD of hosts (הָאָדֹן יְהוִה צְבָאוֹת – Ha'Adon Yahweh Tsva'ot):

  • "the Lord" (Ha'Adon): Emphasizes God's sovereign authority, His absolute right to rule, and His ownership over all creation.
  • "GOD" (Yahweh): The covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent, eternal, and faithful character, particularly in His dealings with His people.
  • "of hosts" (Tsva'ot): Literally "of armies." This title emphasizes God's omnipotent power as the commander of heavenly armies and all forces in the universe. It highlights His ability to execute His will and judgments irresistibly.

• is taking away (מֵסִיר – mesir):

  • A present participle, conveying an action that is ongoing or imminent. It signifies God's active, direct intervention in removing, causing to depart, or stripping away, not just a passive allowing of decline.

• from Jerusalem and from Judah (מִירוּשָׁלַם וּמִיְהוּדָה – miy'rushalayim umiyehudah):

  • Specifies the exact target of God's judgment: the capital city and the southern kingdom, indicating a widespread national affliction. This pinpoints the epicenter of the spiritual and moral corruption.

• strength and supply / staff and stay (מַשְׁעֵן וּמַשְׁעֵנָה – mash'en u'mash'enah):

  • Literally "male staff/support" and "female staff/support." This Hebrew idiomatic pair conveys a comprehensive idea of "every kind of support or reliance." It includes not only physical provisions but also all forms of strength, stability, and societal pillars such as leaders, institutions, and skilled workers. The use of both masculine and feminine forms emphasizes the totality—nothing will remain.

• all supply of bread and all supply of water (כֹּל מִשְׁעַן־לֶחֶם וְכֹל מִשְׁעַן־מָיִם – kol mish'an-lechem v'khol mish'an-mayim):

  • "all supply" (kol mish'an): Repetition of "all" underscores the absolute and complete removal. The term "mish'an" here directly applies to the most fundamental human necessities.
  • "of bread" (lechem): The primary staple food in ancient Near Eastern diet, symbolizing all food.
  • "of water" (mayim): The essential drink, critical for survival.
  • This phrase highlights the immediate and devastating impact of the judgment on the most basic aspects of life, directly leading to famine and starvation during sieges.

Isaiah 3 1 Bonus section

• The passage reveals the principle that national security and well-being are ultimately dependent on a right relationship with the sovereign God, not merely on military strength or natural resources.
• The immediate focus on bread and water points to siege warfare as a common means of judgment in that historical context, leading to horrific famine and death.
• The dual Hebrew terms for "staff and stay" (masculine and feminine forms) are a common literary device to express totality or completeness, signifying every possible source of support.
• The pronouncements in Isaiah frequently highlight the link between moral and spiritual decay and tangible, devastating consequences for a society.

Isaiah 3 1 Commentary

Isaiah 3:1 functions as a stark and severe announcement of divine judgment. The prophet proclaims that the omnipotent God of hosts is actively intervening to remove all forms of sustenance and stability from His rebellious people in Judah and Jerusalem. This removal goes beyond merely natural scarcity; it is a direct punitive action by the "Lord GOD," who holds absolute authority over life and provision. By stripping away "strength and supply"—a broad term encompassing both tangible resources like bread and water, and the very leaders and societal structures that provide stability—God is bringing a complete societal collapse upon a nation that has forsaken Him. The judgment is precise, affecting their core existence and reflecting God’s justice against their spiritual adultery, social injustice, and pride. This verse sets the stage for the specific forms of desolation and societal breakdown described later in the chapter, demonstrating that God will remove what they depend on, revealing their utter reliance on Him.