Isaiah 3:14

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:

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

  • Divine Judgment: The LORD Himself "will enter into judgment" with the leaders. This signifies God's active and personal involvement in upholding justice, indicating that no one, especially those in positions of authority, is above His scrutiny.
  • Leadership Accountability: The verse explicitly names "the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof" as the targets of judgment. This highlights the profound responsibility of those entrusted with governing and caring for a nation. Their failure to lead righteously and protect the vulnerable brings severe divine repercussions. See also Jeremiah 23:1 for a similar prophetic indictment against negligent leaders.
  • Social Injustice and Oppression: The core accusation is, "for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses."
    • The Vineyard Metaphor: The "vineyard" (Hebrew: kerem) is a recurring biblical metaphor, often representing Israel or Judah as God's chosen people, whom He carefully cultivated (as seen in Isaiah 5:7). To "eat up the vineyard" means to exploit, plunder, and destroy what belongs to God and His people, rather than nurturing it.
    • Spoil of the Poor: This phrase directly indicts the leaders for accumulating wealth through dishonest means, at the expense of the most vulnerable. The "spoil" (Hebrew: gezelah) refers to ill-gotten gains, plunder, or that which is violently taken. This emphasizes the ruthless and exploitative nature of their actions, directly violating the principles of justice and compassion found throughout the Law. Compare with Amos 2:7 which also condemns trampling the poor.

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.

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.

  • 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.

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