Isaiah 10:3

KJV

And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation [which] shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?

KJV (with Strong's)

And what will ye do {H6213} in the day {H3117} of visitation {H6486}, and in the desolation {H7722} which shall come {H935} from far {H4801}? to whom will ye flee {H5127} for help {H5833}? and where will ye leave {H5800} your glory {H3519}?

Complete Jewish Bible

What will you do on the day of punishment, when calamity comes from afar? To whom will you flee for help? Where will you leave your wealth,

Berean Standard Bible

What will you do on the day of reckoning when devastation comes from afar? To whom will you flee for help? Where will you leave your wealth?

American Standard Version

And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 10:3 delivers a stark prophetic warning to the unrighteous leaders and people of Judah and Israel, confronting them with the terrifying reality of impending divine judgment. Through a series of rhetorical questions, the prophet Isaiah underscores their utter powerlessness and the futility of their earthly securities—their wealth, status, and alliances—when faced with God's "day of visitation" and the "desolation" brought by a distant, formidable enemy. The verse compels them to reckon with a future where their self-reliant glory will offer no refuge, highlighting the inescapable nature of God's righteous reckoning.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 10:3 is embedded within a series of "woes" pronounced by the prophet Isaiah, primarily targeting the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) but also serving as a severe warning to Judah. Chapter 9 concludes with a description of God's unceasing wrath against Israel's pride and unrepentance. Chapter 10 opens with a specific "woe" against those who enact unjust laws and oppress the poor and vulnerable (Isaiah 10:1-2). Verse 3 directly follows this indictment, posing the inescapable consequence of such injustice. The subsequent verses (Isaiah 10:5ff) reveal that Assyria will be God's chosen instrument for this judgment, though Assyria itself will later face judgment for its arrogance. This verse thus serves as a pivotal transition, moving from the description of sin to the declaration of its inevitable, devastating outcome.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The late 8th century BCE was a period of intense political turmoil in the Ancient Near East. The powerful and ruthless Assyrian Empire was rapidly expanding, conquering surrounding nations, including the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE. Judah, while not yet conquered, was under immense pressure and often sought alliances with other regional powers (like Egypt) rather than trusting in God. The societal elite in both Israel and Judah had become deeply corrupt, accumulating wealth through oppression, neglecting justice, and relying on their own strength or foreign treaties. Isaiah's prophecy speaks directly into this context, challenging their false sense of security and their spiritual complacency. The "desolation which shall come from far" is a direct reference to the Assyrian military might, an external force that God would orchestrate to execute His judgment.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Judgment and Accountability**, portraying God as the sovereign judge who holds nations and individuals accountable for their moral and social transgressions. The "day of visitation" is a time of reckoning that no one can escape, underscoring that God's justice is not merely punitive but also restorative, aiming to purify His people. Secondly, it highlights the **Futility of Earthly Reliance**, challenging the common human tendency to trust in wealth, military might, or political alliances. The rhetorical questions "to whom will ye flee for help?" and "where will ye leave your glory?" expose the utter inadequacy of human defenses against divine wrath, echoing themes found throughout the Psalms, such as the declaration that [God alone is our refuge and strength](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge"). Finally, the verse speaks to the **Transient Nature of Earthly "Glory,"** revealing that all human achievements, status, and possessions are ultimately meaningless in the face of God's overwhelming power and judgment. This theme is consistently found in wisdom literature, as seen in [Proverbs 11:4, which states that riches do not profit in the day of wrath](/proverbs/11-4 "Proverbs 11:4 - Riches do not profit in the day of wrath").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Visitation (Hebrew, _pᵉquddâh'_):** This word carries a rich semantic range, primarily meaning "inspection" or "reckoning." While it can denote a positive, benevolent visit from God (e.g., God visiting Sarah in [Genesis 21:1](/genesis/21-1 "Genesis 21:1 - God visited Sarah")), in this context, it unequivocally signifies a punitive visitation, a time of divine judgment where sins are brought to account and consequences are meted out. It implies a precise and thorough inventory of actions, leading to inevitable punishment for disobedience.
* **Desolation (Hebrew, _shôwʼ'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to rush over," _shôwʼ_ denotes a tempest, ruin, devastation, or calamity. It paints a vivid picture of utter destruction and waste, emphasizing the overwhelming and destructive force of the impending judgment. The phrase "which shall come from far" directly points to a foreign invasion, specifically the Assyrians, as the instrument of this widespread devastation.
* **Glory (Hebrew, _kâbôwd'_):** This term, from a root meaning "to be heavy," signifies weight, honor, reputation, wealth, splendor, and dignity. In this verse, it refers to all that the people esteemed as their security, status, and source of pride—their material possessions, social standing, political power, and even their national identity. The rhetorical question about where they will "leave" their glory highlights its utter uselessness and the fact that it cannot be preserved or protected in the face of God's judgment; it will be stripped away or rendered worthless.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And what will ye do in the day of visitation,"**: This opening rhetorical question immediately confronts the audience with their helplessness. The "day of visitation" is the appointed time of God's judgment and reckoning. The question "what will ye do?" implies that all their usual strategies, their wealth, their military, and their alliances, will be utterly ineffective and provide no solution or escape. It forces them to acknowledge their complete lack of agency in the face of divine wrath.
* **"and in the desolation [which] shall come from far?"**: This clause further specifies the nature of the "visitation" as a widespread, destructive calamity. The "desolation" is not a minor setback but a comprehensive ruin. The phrase "from far" clearly indicates a foreign invasion, a powerful and distant enemy (Assyria) that God will use as His instrument of judgment, emphasizing the external, overwhelming, and inescapable nature of the impending doom.
* **"to whom will ye flee for help?"**: This second rhetorical question directly challenges their misplaced trust. It exposes the futility of their reliance on human alliances, idols, or even their own strength. When the true crisis arrives, all their conventional sources of "help" will prove inadequate or nonexistent. It underscores that there will be no human deliverer or earthly refuge capable of standing against God's judgment.
* **"and where will ye leave your glory?"**: The final question targets the very core of their pride and security. Their "glory"—their accumulated wealth, status, power, and reputation—which they cherished and built their lives upon, will be utterly useless. The question implies that they will have no safe place to store it, no way to protect it, and it will ultimately be stripped away or become a burden rather than a blessing. It highlights the transient nature of all earthly achievements in the face of eternal judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 10:3 is rich in **Rhetorical Questions**, a dominant literary device here. The prophet poses three direct questions ("what will ye do?", "to whom will ye flee?", "where will ye leave?") not to elicit an answer, but to underscore the utter hopelessness and lack of options for those facing God's judgment. These questions compel the audience to confront their own vulnerability and the futility of their self-reliance. The phrase "desolation [which] shall come from far" employs a subtle form of **Personification**, giving the abstract concept of desolation an active, almost predatory quality, as if it is an entity purposefully traveling from a distance to inflict ruin. Furthermore, there is profound **Irony** in the final question, "where will ye leave your glory?" The very "glory" they pursued and trusted in—their wealth, status, and power—will become a meaningless burden, unable to protect them, and will be lost in the very "visitation" they sought to avoid. This highlights the ironic reversal of their perceived security into ultimate vulnerability.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 10:3 serves as a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to justice. It reminds us that while humanity may pursue earthly glory and trust in fleeting power, God ultimately holds the scales of judgment. The "day of visitation" is a recurring biblical motif, signifying a time when God intervenes directly in human history to bring about His purposes, often involving judgment for sin and vindication for the righteous. This verse underscores the principle that true security and help are found only in God, not in human accomplishments or alliances, and that all earthly "glory" is temporary and cannot withstand divine scrutiny. It is a call to humility and a reorientation of priorities towards eternal values.

* [Jeremiah 17:5-8](/jeremiah/17-5 "Jeremiah 17:5-8 - Cursed is the one who trusts in man"): This passage contrasts the cursedness of trusting in human strength with the blessedness of trusting in the Lord, directly echoing Isaiah's warning about the futility of earthly reliance.
* [Hebrews 12:26-29](/hebrews/12-26 "Hebrews 12:26-29 - The Unshakable Kingdom"): This New Testament passage speaks of a future shaking of all that is created, leaving only that which cannot be shaken—God's kingdom. It reinforces the transient nature of all earthly "glory" and the permanence of divine reality.
* [Revelation 6:15-17](/revelation/6-15 "Revelation 6:15-17 - Kings and the powerful hide from God's wrath"): This apocalyptic vision depicts kings, princes, and the powerful hiding in caves and among rocks, crying out for the mountains to fall on them to hide them from the wrath of the Lamb, illustrating the ultimate futility of earthly power in the face of divine judgment.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 10:3 stands as a timeless and sobering mirror for all generations, urging us to deeply examine the foundations of our security and the objects of our ultimate trust. In a world that often values wealth, status, and self-sufficiency, this verse challenges us to consider what truly endures when crisis strikes, whether it be a personal calamity, a societal upheaval, or the ultimate divine reckoning. It compels us to ask ourselves if our "glory"—our achievements, possessions, or reputation—is something we can truly rely on, or if it is merely a fleeting illusion that will vanish in the "day of visitation." The call is to shift our reliance from the temporal to the eternal, recognizing that only God provides genuine refuge and lasting glory. This verse encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, building our lives on the unshakable truth of God's Word and character, rather than on the shifting sands of human endeavors. It is a powerful reminder that true wisdom lies in acknowledging God's sovereignty and seeking His help above all else.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "glories" in my life (e.g., wealth, career, reputation, relationships) that I might be trusting in more than God?**
* **In what ways do I, or my society, exhibit a false sense of security that ignores the potential for divine "visitation" or judgment?**
* **When facing personal or global crises, to whom or what do I instinctively "flee for help" before turning to God?**
* **How can I practically reorient my life and priorities to build on eternal foundations rather than transient earthly securities?**

### FAQ
**What does "the day of visitation" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Isaiah 10:3, "the day of visitation" refers to a specific time of divine judgment and reckoning. While the Hebrew word for "visitation" (pᵉquddâh) can sometimes imply a positive, benevolent visit from God, here it carries a strong connotation of punitive inspection. It is the day when God will call His people, particularly their unjust leaders, to account for their sins and bring about the consequences of their disobedience. This "visitation" will manifest as a devastating "desolation" brought by a foreign power, specifically the Assyrian Empire, which God uses as an instrument of His wrath (as seen in [Isaiah 10:5](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5 - Assyria, the rod of God's anger")).

**What is the "glory" that the people will not be able to "leave" or protect?**

Answer: The "glory" (kâbôwd) in this verse refers to all that the people of Judah and Israel held in high esteem and trusted in for their security and identity. This includes their accumulated wealth, social status, political power, military strength, and national reputation. The rhetorical question "where will ye leave your glory?" implies that in the face of God's overwhelming judgment and the impending "desolation," all these earthly achievements and possessions will be utterly useless. They cannot be protected, stored away, or used as a ransom. They will either be stripped away, destroyed, or rendered meaningless, highlighting the transient and ultimately futile nature of trusting in anything other than God. This aligns with the biblical teaching that true and lasting glory belongs to God alone, and human glory is fleeting, as reflected in [1 Peter 1:24-25](/1_peter/1-24 "1 Peter 1:24-25 - All flesh is like grass, but the word of the Lord endures forever").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 10:3, with its stark warning of a "day of visitation" and the futility of human "glory" in the face of divine judgment, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound reinterpretation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the immediate context points to the Assyrian invasion as God's instrument of judgment, the New Testament reveals that all such historical judgments foreshadow the ultimate divine reckoning. Christ Himself is the one through whom all judgment is executed, for [the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son"). The "day of visitation" for humanity is ultimately the day of Christ's return, when [every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him](/revelation/1-7 "Revelation 1:7 - Every eye will see Him"). In that day, all earthly "glory"—wealth, power, status, and self-righteousness—will indeed prove utterly worthless and unable to provide refuge, for [what good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?](/matthew/16-26 "Matthew 16:26 - What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?"). However, for those who trust in Christ, He is the ultimate "help" and "refuge" in the day of judgment, for [there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No condemnation for those in Christ Jesus"). Furthermore, the true "glory" that endures is not earthly, but is found in union with Christ; for believers, [when Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory](/colossians/3-4 "Colossians 3:4 - Christ Our Life and Glory"). Thus, Isaiah's warning, while terrifying for the unrepentant, becomes a powerful call to find our ultimate security, help, and eternal glory in the crucified and resurrected Lord Jesus.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hosea 9:7

¶ The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know [it]: the prophet [is] a fool, the spiritual man [is] mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.

Luke 19:44

And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

Job 31:14

What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?

Zephaniah 1:18

Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

1 Peter 2:12

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Proverbs 11:4

¶ Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Isaiah 20:6

And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such [is] our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape?