The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor [is] in your houses.
The LORD {H3068} will enter {H935} into judgment {H4941} with the ancients {H2205} of his people {H5971}, and the princes {H8269} thereof: for ye have eaten up {H1197} the vineyard {H3754}; the spoil {H1500} of the poor {H6041} is in your houses {H1004}.
ADONAI presents the indictment against the leaders and officers of his people: "It is you who devour the vineyard; in your houses is plunder taken from the poor.
The LORD brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people: “You have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses.
Jehovah will enter into judgment with the elders of his people, and the princes thereof: It is ye that have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses:
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Job 22:4
Will he reprove thee for fear of thee? will he enter with thee into judgment? -
Isaiah 5:7
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts [is] the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry. -
Psalms 14:4
¶ Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people [as] they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD. -
Isaiah 3:2
The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient, -
Isaiah 3:3
The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator. -
James 2:6
But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? -
Job 24:9
They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor.
Isaiah 3:14 is a powerful declaration of divine judgment against the corrupt leaders of Judah during a period of significant social decay and moral decline. This verse specifically targets the "ancients" (elders) and "princes" (rulers) of the nation, holding them accountable for their stewardship.
Context
This verse is part of a larger prophetic oracle in Isaiah chapters 2-5, which denounces the pride, idolatry, and social injustice rampant in Jerusalem and Judah. The prophet Isaiah vividly describes the societal breakdown, where the rich oppress the poor, and moral standards have collapsed. God, through Isaiah, warns of impending desolation and the removal of leadership as a direct consequence of their sin. Here, the focus narrows to the direct culpability of those in power who were meant to protect the people but instead exploited them.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The term "ancients" (זקני - ziqnei) refers to the elders, who held positions of wisdom and authority in ancient Israelite society. "Princes" (שרי - sarei) denotes the governmental and administrative officials. The combination emphasizes that the entire ruling class, from traditional elders to political leaders, was implicated in this widespread corruption. The phrase "eaten up" (בערתם - bi'artem) carries a sense of devouring or consuming, indicating a complete and destructive exploitation.
Practical Application
Isaiah 3:14 serves as a timeless warning about the profound responsibility of leadership and the consequences of neglecting social justice. For leaders in any sphere—government, business, religious institutions, or community—it underscores the principle that power is a trust from God, meant to be used for the welfare of all, especially the vulnerable. It calls believers to advocate for justice and to hold leaders accountable to ethical standards. Furthermore, it reminds us that God is a righteous judge who sees and will ultimately address all forms of oppression, offering hope to the marginalized and a sobering challenge to those who benefit from injustice.