Isaiah 3:3 kjv
The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator.
Isaiah 3:3 nkjv
The captain of fifty and the honorable man, The counselor and the skillful artisan, And the expert enchanter.
Isaiah 3:3 niv
the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor, skilled craftsman and clever enchanter.
Isaiah 3:3 esv
the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skillful magician and the expert in charms.
Isaiah 3:3 nlt
army officers and high officials,
advisers, skilled sorcerers, and astrologers.
Isaiah 3 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 3:3 | To executive officer and expert craftsman and clever orator | Isa 3:3 |
| Proverbs 10:1 | A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief | Prov 10:1 |
| Proverbs 28:2 | When a land transggresses, it has many rulers, but with foresight and discipline it will remain stable | Prov 28:2 |
| Jeremiah 5:5 | "I will go to the elders and speak to them, for they know the way of the LORD and the requirements of their God." | Jer 5:5 |
| Ecclesiastes 10:16 | Woe to you, O land whose king is a child, and whose princes feast in the morning! | Eccl 10:16 |
| 1 Corinthians 1:20 | Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? | 1 Cor 1:20 |
| Romans 1:22 | Professing to be wise, they became fools | Rom 1:22 |
| Isaiah 3:2 | The Lord will bring upon them the warrior, the judge, the potter, and the planter. | Isa 3:2 |
| Isaiah 3:4 | I will make youths their officers, and babes shall rule over them. | Isa 3:4 |
| Isaiah 9:16 | For those who guide this people have led them astray, and those who are guided by them have been swallowed up. | Isa 9:16 |
| Isaiah 3:12 | My people—infants are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people! Your guides mislead you and confuse the path of your ways. | Isa 3:12 |
| Jeremiah 6:13 | "From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deception." | Jer 6:13 |
| Micah 3:11 | Her princes are greedy for unjust gain; her priests teach for hire, her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the LORD and say, "Is not the LORD among us? Calamity will not come upon us." | Mic 3:11 |
| Zechariah 11:17 | "Woe to the worthless shepherd who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be made totally dry, and his right eye blinded." | Zech 11:17 |
| Titus 1:16 | They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny him, detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. | Titus 1:16 |
| 2 Timothy 3:1-5 | But understand this: There will come times of distress in the last days. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, | 2 Tim 3:1-5 |
| Isaiah 5:20 | Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! | Isa 5:20 |
| Hosea 4:6 | My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being my priests; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. | Hos 4:6 |
| Judges 17:6 | In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit. | Judg 17:6 |
| Proverbs 1:7 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. | Prov 1:7 |
Isaiah 3 verses
Isaiah 3 3 Meaning
This verse identifies those who will be removed from leadership and influence in Jerusalem: the mighty man, the judge, the prudent man, and the eloquent talker. It signifies a societal judgment where competence and wisdom are replaced by inappropriate or ineffective leaders, leading to distress and instability.
Isaiah 3 3 Context
This verse is part of a broader judgment pronounced by Isaiah against Judah and Jerusalem. The chapter begins by describing the impending collapse of Jerusalem's societal structure, attributing it to their sinfulness and rejection of God's ways. The people have turned to idolatry and injustice, corrupting their leadership and their very way of life. God is therefore removing the established order, the very individuals who should have provided guidance and wisdom. This removal signifies divine retribution for their unfaithfulness and foreshadows the desolation and suffering that will come upon the city.
Isaiah 3 3 Word analysis
- və·ʕālâ (וְעָלָה) - "and he/it ascended" or "and upon". In this context, it implies being placed or found upon, signifying who will be afflicted or removed.
- lō·w•šî•yach (לֹוֶשִׁי) - "wise advisor," "prudent counselor." This refers to someone known for their discernment and sound judgment.
- la·ḥākām (לְחָכָם) - "wise," "skillful." It denotes a person with innate wisdom, skill, or intelligence.
- wə·ni·ḵḥāḏ (וּנְבֹון) - "and discerning," "intelligent." This speaks to the ability to understand deeply and make sound judgments.
- la·qō•lâ (לַקּוֹל) - "eloquent," "skilled speaker," "learned in reciting." Refers to one who speaks fluently and persuasively, often implying knowledge of traditions or pronouncements. The term can also mean "scarlet," a color associated with royalty and wealth. In this context, it leans towards the ability to speak effectively.
Groups of words analysis:
- lō·w•šî•yach and la·ḥākām: These phrases collectively highlight the loss of both experienced counselors and those with natural wisdom. It indicates a leadership vacuum where sound advice and intelligent thought are absent.
- la·qō•lâ: This word emphasizes the removal of skilled communicators, suggesting that even persuasive or eloquent speech, if not founded on godly wisdom, is subject to judgment.
Isaiah 3 3 Bonus section
The verse can be seen as a spiritual discernment test. In any era, the true "wise advisor," "skillful," "discerning," and "eloquent talker" are those whose words and actions align with God's revealed will. Their eloquence is not mere rhetoric but truth spoken in love, and their wisdom is rooted in the fear of the Lord. The danger lies in mistaking worldly success, charisma, or deceptive arguments for true wisdom and competence. As scripture warns, the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God (1 Corinthians 1:20), and leaders who disregard divine law lead people astray (Isaiah 9:16). Therefore, this verse serves as a reminder to evaluate leadership based on spiritual integrity and alignment with God's principles, rather than superficial qualities.
Isaiah 3 3 Commentary
Isaiah 3:3 illustrates a principle of divine governance: when a nation rejects wisdom and justice, its leaders become corrupted or removed, leading to societal decay. The "wise advisor," the "skillful" (in the sense of skilled in managing affairs or discerning truth), the "discerning," and the "eloquent talker" represent pillars of a functional society. Their removal signifies the loss of the very capacities needed for effective leadership and societal stability. God is not merely taking away leaders but specifically those who possess the qualities essential for good governance. This removal is not arbitrary but a consequence of their actions and the nation's departure from righteousness, setting the stage for unqualified individuals to fill the void, as further described in subsequent verses.