Isaiah 3:1

¶ 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,

For, behold, the Lord {H113}, the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, doth take away {H5493} from Jerusalem {H3389} and from Judah {H3063} the stay {H4937} and the staff {H4938}, the whole stay {H4937} of bread {H3899}, and the whole {H3605} stay {H4937} of water {H4325},

For see! The Lord, ADONAI-Tzva'ot, will remove from Yerushalayim and Y'hudah every kind of support all reserves of food and water;

For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: the whole supply of food and water,

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

Isaiah 3:1 (KJV): "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,"

Context of Isaiah 3:1

This verse opens a section of prophecy (Isaiah 3-5) detailing God's impending judgment upon the southern kingdom of Judah and its capital, Jerusalem. Isaiah, prophesying in the 8th century BC, delivered these stern warnings during a period of outward prosperity but deep spiritual and moral decay. The people, especially their leaders, had become arrogant, oppressive, and idolatrous, neglecting justice and righteousness. This chapter specifically outlines the removal of various forms of support and leadership as a direct consequence of their sin, painting a picture of societal collapse and divine retribution.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The phrase "the Lord, the LORD of hosts" (see Isaiah 6:3) powerfully emphasizes God's absolute authority and control over all creation and human affairs. He is not a passive observer but an active participant who intervenes to judge His people for their unfaithfulness. This verse declares His deliberate act of judgment.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The "taking away" of "the stay and the staff" signifies the removal of all forms of support and sustenance. Specifically, the "whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water" points to a severe famine and the loss of basic necessities. This is a direct consequence of Judah's spiritual rebellion and moral corruption, illustrating that sin has tangible, often devastating, repercussions (compare Jeremiah 14:12).
  • Dependence on God: By removing even the most fundamental provisions, the verse underscores humanity's ultimate dependence on God for life itself. When God, the ultimate provider, withdraws His blessings, human self-sufficiency and societal structures crumble. It's a stark reminder that true security comes only from Him (see Deuteronomy 8:3).

Linguistic Insights

The title "the LORD of hosts" is a translation of the Hebrew Yahweh Sabaoth (יהוה צבאות). This majestic title emphasizes God's supreme power as the commander of heavenly armies and all cosmic forces. It highlights His omnipotence and His ability to execute His will, whether in judgment or blessing.

The phrase "the stay and the staff" (Hebrew mash'en u'mish'enet) is a poetic parallelism, referring to any form of support or leaning upon. It encompasses both physical sustenance and societal pillars like leadership and stability.

Practical Application

Isaiah 3:1 serves as a timeless warning for all generations. It calls us to:

  • Examine Our Dependence: Where do we place our trust for security and sustenance? On wealth, human leaders, or God? This verse challenges us to acknowledge God as our ultimate provider and to seek His kingdom first.
  • Recognize the Seriousness of Sin: God is holy, and sin has consequences. While we live under grace in the New Covenant, the principle that rebellion against God leads to hardship remains true. It encourages a life of righteousness and repentance.
  • Pray for Leaders and Nations: The judgment on Judah included the removal of effective leadership (detailed in subsequent verses). This prompts us to pray for wise and righteous leaders, and for our nations to align with God's will, understanding that societal well-being is often linked to spiritual health.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Leviticus 26:26

    [And] when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver [you] your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.

  • Ezekiel 14:13

    Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it:

  • Isaiah 1:24

    Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:

  • Ezekiel 4:16

    Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment:

  • Ezekiel 4:17

    That they may want bread and water, and be astonied one with another, and consume away for their iniquity.

  • Isaiah 51:22

    Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God [that] pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, [even] the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:

  • Psalms 105:16

    Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.

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