Isaiah 22:3

All thy rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers: all that are found in thee are bound together, [which] have fled from far.

All thy rulers {H7101} are fled {H5074} together {H3162}, they are bound {H631} by the archers {H7198}: all that are found {H4672} in thee are bound {H631} together {H3162}, which have fled {H1272} from far {H7350}.

All your leaders fled together and were captured without the use of a bow; all from you who were found were captured, even though they had fled far away.

All your rulers have fled together, captured without a bow. All your fugitives were captured together, having fled to a distant place.

All thy rulers fled away together, they were bound by the archers; all that were found of thee were bound together; they fled afar off.

Commentary

Isaiah 22:3 (KJV): "All thy rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers: all that are found in thee are bound together, [which] have fled from far."

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is part of a prophetic oracle in Isaiah 22, often referred to as the "Valley of Vision," which specifically addresses Jerusalem. It describes a scene of impending doom and chaos, a stark contrast to the preceding verses that depict the inhabitants celebrating and feasting despite the approaching threat. The prophecy most likely points to the Assyrian invasion under Sennacherib in 701 BC, where Judah's cities were besieged, and Jerusalem itself faced immense pressure. The imagery of rulers fleeing and being captured, along with the general populace, reflects the brutal realities of ancient siege warfare and the complete subjugation that followed defeat.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Leadership Failure: The flight of "all thy rulers" highlights a profound failure of leadership in the face of crisis. Instead of standing firm, they abandon their people, only to be captured themselves.
  • Universal Capture and Subjugation: The repetition of "bound" emphasizes the inescapable nature of the coming judgment. Not only leaders but also the common people, even those who had sought refuge in Jerusalem ("fled from far"), are caught and enslaved. This signifies a complete and devastating defeat.
  • Futility of Human Strength: Despite Jerusalem's strong fortifications, the prophecy reveals that no human defense or strategic flight can avert divine judgment once it is set in motion. The "archers" represent the overwhelming military might of the enemy, against which all resistance is vain.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Underlying this grim depiction is the broader theme of God's judgment upon a people who have turned from Him, as seen throughout the book of Isaiah. The chaos and capture are direct consequences of unrepentant sin and misplaced trust.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "bound" ('asar, ืึธืกึทืจ) conveys a strong sense of being tied up, imprisoned, or restrained. Its repeated use emphasizes the complete subjugation of both the fleeing rulers and the general populace. The "archers" (qeshet, ืงึถืฉึถืืช) refers to bowmen, a crucial and formidable component of ancient armies, symbolizing the swift and merciless nature of the enemy's attack.

Practical Application

Isaiah 22:3 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless principles:

  1. Accountability of Leadership: Leaders, whether in government, business, or the church, bear a heavy responsibility. This verse warns against the consequences of abandoning one's post or failing to guide justly in times of crisis.
  2. Vulnerability of Human Security: It underscores the ultimate futility of relying solely on human defenses, wealth, or power for security. When facing God's judgment or the consequences of sin, earthly provisions often prove inadequate, as seen in Psalm 20:7: "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God."
  3. Importance of Repentance: The dire situation described here highlights the critical need for spiritual discernment and repentance. Ignoring warnings and continuing in self-indulgence or rebellion ultimately leads to catastrophic outcomes.

The verse compels us to consider where our ultimate trust lies and to respond appropriately to divine warnings, seeking true refuge and security in God.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 39:4

    And it came to pass, [that] when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain.

  • Jeremiah 39:7

    Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.

  • Jeremiah 52:24

    ยถ And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:

  • Jeremiah 52:27

    And the king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death in Riblah in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land.

  • 2 Kings 25:18

    And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:

  • 2 Kings 25:21

    And the king of Babylon smote them, and slew them at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away out of their land.

  • Isaiah 3:1

    ยถ For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water,
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