Isaiah 51 20

Isaiah 51:20 kjv

Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God.

Isaiah 51:20 nkjv

Your sons have fainted, They lie at the head of all the streets, Like an antelope in a net; They are full of the fury of the LORD, The rebuke of your God.

Isaiah 51:20 niv

Your children have fainted; they lie at every street corner, like antelope caught in a net. They are filled with the wrath of the LORD, with the rebuke of your God.

Isaiah 51:20 esv

Your sons have fainted; they lie at the head of every street like an antelope in a net; they are full of the wrath of the LORD, the rebuke of your God.

Isaiah 51:20 nlt

For your children have fainted and lie in the streets,
helpless as antelopes caught in a net.
The LORD has poured out his fury;
God has rebuked them.

Isaiah 51 verses

Isaiah 51 20 meaning

Isaiah 51:20 graphically depicts the utter helplessness and severe distress of Jerusalem's inhabitants, specifically its young men, under divine judgment. They are portrayed as physically collapsed and overcome, lying prostrate in the public squares, much like a powerful, wild animal utterly trapped and subdued in a net. Their dire state is attributed not merely to human adversaries, but directly to the overwhelming "wrath of the Lord" and the intense "rebuke of your God," indicating that their suffering is a direct consequence of divine displeasure and righteous judgment. The verse paints a somber picture of widespread suffering and inescapable doom before the pronouncement of forthcoming comfort.

Isaiah 51 20 Context

Isaiah chapter 51 forms part of a larger section (Isaiah 40-55) known as the "Book of Comfort," addressing the exiles in Babylon. While much of this section offers solace and promises of restoration, verses 17-23 of chapter 51 provide a vivid and necessary description of Jerusalem's suffering prior to that comfort. This specific verse, 51:20, describes the nadir of that suffering.

Historically, this passage anticipates the devastation of Jerusalem and the exile of its people to Babylon. The scene painted in verse 20 likely reflects the brutal realities of the Babylonian siege (588-586 BC) and its aftermath: famine, war, death, and the complete collapse of civil society. Culturally, the image of "sons" fainting in the streets highlights the loss of the nation's strength and future, a profound tragedy in ancient societies. The reference to "wrath of the Lord" places the responsibility for their suffering firmly with God's justice, rather than portraying it as merely a consequence of military defeat by a more powerful empire. This also serves as an indirect polemic against any belief that Babylon's gods were superior, by asserting Yahweh's ultimate sovereignty and active role in Judah's destiny.

Isaiah 51 20 Word analysis

• Your sons (`בָּנַ֙יִךְ֙` - bānayikh): Literally "your sons," referring to the male inhabitants of Jerusalem/Judah. In a collective sense, they represent the strength, future, and vitality of the city or nation. Here, their vulnerability underscores the depth of the nation's plight.
• have fainted (`עֻלְּפ֥וּ` - ’ullepū): Piel passive, from `עָלַף` (‘alaph). It means "to be faint," "to become weak," "to languish," or "to swoon." It denotes an extreme physical collapse due to exhaustion, hunger, fear, or wounds, indicating a loss of consciousness or vital strength.
• they lie (`שָֽׁכְב֖וּ` - šākhḇū): From `שָׁכַב` (shakab). While it can mean "to lie down to rest," in this context of distress and faintness, it implies "to lie prostrate," "to be fallen," or even "to lie dead."
• at the head of every street (`בְּרֹ֣אשׁ כָּל־חוּצ֗וֹת` - bə-rōsh kol-ḥūṣōth): `רֹאשׁ` (rosh) means "head" or "top"; `חוּצוֹת` (ḥuṣōth) means "streets" or "public squares," literally "outside places." This phrase signifies prominent public areas, such as main roads or crossroads, highlighting the widespread and undeniable nature of the catastrophe visible to all.
• like a wild ox (`כְּתֹא֙` - kə-thoʾ): `כְּ` (kə-) means "like" or "as"; `תֹא` (thoʾ) is generally translated as "wild ox," "antelope," or "gazelle." This animal is known for its strength, speed, and untamed nature. Its inclusion here emphasizes that even powerful and free creatures can be rendered utterly helpless.
• in a net (`מִכְמָֽר־` - mikhmar): A "hunting net" or "snare." This term vividly conveys the imagery of capture, entanglement, and inescapable confinement. It highlights complete vulnerability and the inability to escape from a powerful, unseen force.
• they are full of (`מְלֵאִ֤י` - məle’i): Literally "full," "filled." Implies being overwhelmed or completely consumed by something, indicating an intensity and saturation.
• the wrath of the Lord (`חֲמַת־יְהוָה֙` - ḥămath-YHWH): `חֲמַת` (ḥămath) means "heat," "burning anger," or "fury." `יְהוָה` (YHWH) is the personal name of God, the covenant God of Israel. This signifies intense divine indignation and a consuming holy anger.
• the rebuke of your God (`גַּעֲרַ֖ת אֱלֹהָֽיִךְ׃` - ga‘ăraṯ ’ĕlōhāyikh): `גַּעֲרַת` (ga‘ăraṯ) means "rebuke," "reproof," or "threat," often implying a stern, authoritative word accompanied by action. `אֱלֹהָיִךְ` (’ĕlōhāyikh) is "your God," a possessive form addressing Zion. This denotes God's strong disciplinary judgment, a manifestation of His just displeasure.

• "Your sons have fainted, they lie at the head of every street": This phrase paints a scene of utter urban desolation and physical collapse. It is a potent image of a city brought low, with its future generation – its vigorous "sons" – rendered impotent and spread across its most visible public spaces, suggesting either death, extreme weakness from famine/disease, or total defeat.
• "like a wild ox in a net": This powerful simile serves to illustrate the complete helplessness and entrapment of the once-proud and strong people of Jerusalem. A wild ox or antelope, usually free and robust, symbolizes power and agility. To see such a creature ensnared emphasizes the profound subjugation and inescapable predicament they are in. They are caught and unable to extricate themselves, a metaphor for their state during judgment or exile.
• "they are full of the wrath of the Lord, the rebuke of your God": This clarifies the source and nature of their suffering. It's not mere misfortune or random act of war, but a divine punitive act. The parallelism between "wrath of the Lord" and "rebuke of your God" heightens the sense of overwhelming divine displeasure. They are saturated with God's anger, indicating that their suffering is both a consequence and a direct experience of His righteous judgment.

Isaiah 51 20 Bonus section

The immediate prophetic context of Isaiah 51-52 features the dramatic imagery of Zion "drinking the cup of staggering" (Isa 51:17) and then having that cup taken from her, to be given to her tormentors (Isa 51:22-23). This verse, 51:20, vividly illustrates the effects of drinking that cup: extreme weakness and public humiliation. The wild ox imagery, particularly the "ṯoʾ", could sometimes carry connotations of strength that turns into despair when captured. The depiction here also has parallels in prophetic literature regarding the fall of cities and the visible evidence of mass casualties and the despair that sweeps through a populace. This historical depiction sets the stage for the powerful shift in subsequent verses where God promises to reverse Zion's fortunes, showing His ultimate control over both judgment and deliverance.

Isaiah 51 20 Commentary

Isaiah 51:20 encapsulates the depth of Jerusalem's historical suffering and spiritual brokenness before the promised restoration. It is a poignant snapshot of a defeated people, whose strongest members – the "sons" – are utterly prostrate and weak in public spaces, indicating widespread distress due to siege, famine, or military defeat. The simile of a "wild ox in a net" powerfully conveys a state of complete entrapment and helplessness, highlighting the inability of even the most vigorous to escape their predicament. Crucially, the verse attributes this devastation directly to "the wrath of the Lord" and "the rebuke of your God." This divine judgment clarifies that their suffering is not arbitrary but a righteous consequence of their actions, and it emphasizes God's sovereign hand over their destiny, even in judgment. The verse is a stark portrayal of Israel's punishment before the impending message of God's redemptive grace.