Isaiah 3:4

Translations

Modern

“I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.”

Traditional

And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.

Literal

“And I will give youths as their princes, and infants will rule over them.”

Latin

Et dabo pueros principes eorum, et effeminati dominabuntur eis;

Original

Hebrew

English

“I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.”

Notes

Isaiah 3:4

Conditions would be so severe that even boys and toddlers could become candidates for office. Isaiah might have meant that adult leaders would be so reduced in number that only children would be left to take on the role.

Alternatively, he might have meant that the new leaders would be as immature, unwise, strong-willed, and inexperienced as children.

Isaiah 3:1–12

These verses continue discussing judgment against Israel's leaders (see Isaiah 1:23–25). Removing leaders at all levels would let the mob take over. Chaos and famine would turn Judah and Jerusalem into a social wasteland.

Isaiah 2:5–4:1

Isaiah condemned Israel and Judah for their pride and self-importance. He warned them that only God should be honored. All attempts by humans to lift themselves up will actually result in humiliation.

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah Salvation in Isaiah

Events

Prophecies of Isaiahc. 759 BC

Related verses

Ecclesiastes 10:16
Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.
2 Chronicles 33:1
Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years.
2 Chronicles 36:9
Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months and ten days. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 36:5
Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God.
1 Kings 3:7–9
And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in.
2 Chronicles 36:11
Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years.
2 Chronicles 34:1
Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years.
2 Chronicles 36:2
Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months.

Glossary

Isaiah, Book of

Topics

Famine: Sent As a Judgment Jerusalem: Prophecies Against Sin: The Israelites

Isaiah 3:4

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics