Isaiah 3 14

Isaiah 3:14 kjv

The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.

Isaiah 3:14 nkjv

The LORD will enter into judgment With the elders of His people And His princes: "For you have eaten up the vineyard; The plunder of the poor is in your houses.

Isaiah 3:14 niv

The LORD enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: "It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses.

Isaiah 3:14 esv

The LORD will enter into judgment with the elders and princes of his people: "It is you who have devoured the vineyard, the spoil of the poor is in your houses.

Isaiah 3:14 nlt

The LORD comes forward to pronounce judgment
on the elders and rulers of his people:
"You have ruined Israel, my vineyard.
Your houses are filled with things stolen from the poor.

Isaiah 3 verses

Isaiah 3 14 Meaning

Isaiah 3:14 declares God's solemn intention to hold the leaders of Judah—specifically the elders and princes—accountable for their gross abuse of power. They are accused of systematically exploiting and destroying the nation's resources and people, metaphorically portrayed as "devouring the vineyard," while accumulating ill-gotten gains ("plunder of the poor") in their personal residences. This verse highlights divine justice against corrupt governance and economic oppression.

Isaiah 3 14 Context

Isaiah chapter 3, along with chapter 2, paints a dire picture of Judah's spiritual and social decline, contrasting it with a future vision of God's universal reign. The prophet laments the state of Jerusalem and Judah, particularly focusing on societal breakdown, moral corruption, and the consequences of sin. Following warnings about divine judgment that will remove all sources of human strength and comfort, verse 14 specifically targets the nation's leadership: the elders and princes. It moves from general lament and judgment on all social strata to a precise indictment of those in authority, highlighting their direct culpability for the widespread suffering and injustice within the society. Historically, this aligns with the socio-political realities of 8th-century BCE Judah, marked by significant disparities between the wealthy elite and the common people, often at the expense of Mosaic covenant laws and divine righteousness.

Isaiah 3 14 Word analysis

• The Lord (יְהוָה, YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His sovereign authority, faithfulness, and character as the one who fulfills His promises and warnings. His personal involvement underscores the gravity of the judgment.
• will enter into judgment (יָבֹא בְמִשְׁפָּט, yābōʾ bəmišpāṭ): Literally, "He will come with judgment." This signifies a legal, judicial process. God is depicted as the ultimate judge and prosecutor, bringing a formal case against the accused leaders, not an arbitrary act of wrath but a just reckoning. Mišpāṭ also encompasses the idea of "justice" or "right ruling," highlighting that the leaders failed to uphold true justice.
• with the elders of his people (עִם זִקְנֵי עַמּוֹ, ʿim ziqnê ʿammô): "Elders" (ziqnê) were traditionally respected community leaders, often entrusted with judicial and administrative responsibilities. This points to the religious and civic authorities who should have protected the people but instead exploited them. "His people" emphasizes that these were God's chosen, further intensifying the betrayal.
• and their princes (וְשָׂרָיו, wəśārāw): "Princes" or "officials" (śārîm) refers to the royal administrators, military leaders, and governmental authorities. Together with the elders, this phrase encompasses the entire ruling elite responsible for the nation's governance.
• "You have devoured (אַתֶּם בִּעַרְתֶּם, ʾattem biʿartem): The emphatic "you" (ʾattem) directly accuses the leaders. Biʿartem means to "consume," "burn up," "devour," or "destroy." It suggests a predatory, wasteful, and destructive consumption, not merely eating but laying waste to what was once vibrant and productive.
• the vineyard (הַכֶּרֶם, hakkerem): A well-known biblical metaphor for Israel or Judah (e.g., Isa 5:1-7, Ps 80:8-19). Here, it signifies the nation's spiritual well-being, its economic resources, and the very people whom the leaders were supposed to nurture and protect. "Devouring" the vineyard means ruining the people's lives and their future for personal gain.
• the plunder (גְּזֵלַת, gəzēlāt): This term means "robbery," "extortion," or "ill-gotten gains." It denotes wealth acquired through oppressive, violent, or dishonest means, emphasizing its illicit origin and the severe violation of justice.
• of the poor (הֶעָנִי, heʿānî): The "poor," "afflicted," or "oppressed." The special designation highlights the most vulnerable in society, those whom the Mosaic Law explicitly mandated leaders to protect. Their suffering is directly linked to the leaders' actions.
• is in your houses (בְּבָתֵּיכֶם, bəvattêḵem): This signifies that the stolen wealth was brought into the personal residences of the leaders. It indicates private appropriation, luxurious living, and accumulation of material goods as a direct result of their corruption and exploitation, exposing their hypocrisy and greed.

Isaiah 3 14 Bonus Section

The specificity of "elders of his people and their princes" points to a comprehensive failure across all branches of authority in Judah—from the respected, community-level elders who judged at the city gates, to the powerful, top-level royal officials. This total corruption within leadership ensured that justice was subverted at every level of society. The phrase "the Lord will enter into judgment" uses strong judicial language, portraying God as both the offended party and the final arbiter, highlighting that the covenant violations committed by these leaders against their own people are also a direct offense against God Himself. This verse underscores the foundational biblical principle that stewardship of power is a sacred trust, and its abuse, especially at the expense of the vulnerable, carries severe divine consequences.

Isaiah 3 14 Commentary

Isaiah 3:14 delivers a powerful divine indictment against the ruling class of Judah, exposing their systemic corruption and profound injustice. God Himself, as the supreme judge, initiates a legal proceeding against the elders and princes. This is not an abstract pronouncement but a direct accusation of specific crimes. The vivid metaphor of "devouring the vineyard" unequivocally condemns their parasitic leadership. The vineyard, representing the people and resources of the nation, was entrusted to their care, yet they acted as destructive pests, consuming its vitality for their own benefit.

The phrase "the plunder of the poor is in your houses" underscores the depth of their depravity. This wasn't merely mismanagement, but active exploitation and robbery. They directly impoverished the vulnerable to enrich themselves, betraying their divine mandate to protect the weak. This act fundamentally violated God's covenant and challenged His moral order. The prophet emphasizes that these ill-gotten gains are stored within their homes, exposing their lavish lifestyles funded by oppression. The judgment highlights God's unwavering commitment to justice and His identification with the poor and oppressed, signaling that abuse of power and economic exploitation will not go unpunished. It serves as a timeless warning to all who hold positions of authority, emphasizing that true leadership serves the people, not self.