Isaiah 3:2

The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient,

The mighty man {H1368}, and the man {H376} of war {H4421}, the judge {H8199}, and the prophet {H5030}, and the prudent {H7080}, and the ancient {H2205},

heroes and warriors, judges and prophets, diviners and leaders,

the mighty man and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the soothsayer and the elder,

the mighty man, and the man of war; the judge, and the prophet, and the diviner, and the elder;

Isaiah 3:2 is part of a sobering prophecy from the prophet Isaiah, detailing God's impending judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem. This verse specifically lists various societal pillars—leaders and influential figures—whose removal signifies the comprehensive breakdown and destabilization of the nation.

Context

Chapters 2-5 of Isaiah pronounce a series of judgments against Judah for its pride, idolatry, and moral corruption. Isaiah 3:1 sets the stage, declaring that the Lord God of hosts is taking away "the stay and the staff" – all sources of support and sustenance. Verse 2 elaborates on this by enumerating the specific types of leaders and influential individuals who will be removed. This removal is not accidental but a divine act of judgment, leaving the society in chaos and led by inexperienced or unworthy individuals, as further described in Isaiah 3:4. The prophecy highlights the devastating consequences of a nation turning away from God's ways.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: The core message is God's active intervention in the affairs of a rebellious nation. The removal of key leaders is a direct consequence of Judah's sin and disobedience, illustrating that God holds nations accountable for their moral and spiritual state.
  • Collapse of Leadership and Order: The verse lists military strength ("mighty man," "man of war"), judicial authority ("judge"), spiritual guidance ("prophet"), wisdom ("prudent"), and experienced counsel ("ancient"). Their collective removal signifies a complete dismantling of the established order, leading to widespread confusion and vulnerability.
  • Societal Vulnerability: Without strong, righteous leadership and wise counsel, society becomes fragile and susceptible to internal strife and external threats. This prophecy highlights the critical role of competent and godly leadership in maintaining peace and prosperity.
  • Consequences of Sin: Ultimately, the removal of these societal anchors is a direct result of the nation's spiritual decay, injustice, and pride. It serves as a stark warning that moral corruption inevitably leads to societal breakdown, a theme echoed in other prophetic books like Jeremiah 5:25.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Mighty man" (Hebrew: גִּבּוֹר, gibbor): Refers to a strong, valiant warrior or hero, representing military power.
  • "Man of war" (Hebrew: אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה, ish milchamah): Literally "man of battle," denoting military expertise and readiness for conflict.
  • "Judge" (Hebrew: שׁוֹפֵט, shofet): One who administers justice and resolves disputes, crucial for maintaining law and order within society.
  • "Prophet" (Hebrew: נָבִיא, navi): God's spokesman, delivering divine messages and guidance. The absence of true prophets left the nation without clear spiritual direction, as seen in Amos 8:11.
  • "Prudent" (Hebrew: קֹסֵם, qosem): While the KJV translates this as "prudent," the Hebrew word often refers to a "diviner" or "soothsayer." This nuance suggests that even those who offered counsel, perhaps through forbidden means (divination was condemned by God, e.g., Deuteronomy 18:10), or those perceived as wise, would be removed. This highlights the comprehensive nature of the judgment, affecting even perceived sources of wisdom or foresight.
  • "Ancient" (Hebrew: זָקֵן, zaqen): An elder, someone respected for their age, experience, and wisdom, often serving in leadership or advisory roles within the community.

Practical Application

Isaiah 3:2 reminds us of the profound importance of righteous and competent leadership in any society, whether national, communal, or even within families. When a society turns away from God, it often loses its moral compass and the quality of its leadership deteriorates, leading to instability and decline. This verse encourages us to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:2) and to uphold biblical principles that foster justice, wisdom, and spiritual discernment. It also serves as a warning that relying solely on human strength, wisdom, or political structures, apart from God's guidance, is ultimately futile and can lead to societal collapse.

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.

  • Isaiah 9:14

    Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.

  • Isaiah 9:15

    The ancient and honourable, he [is] the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he [is] the tail.

  • Amos 2:3

    And I will cut off the judge from the midst thereof, and will slay all the princes thereof with him, saith the LORD.

  • Isaiah 2:13

    And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, [that are] high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan,

  • Isaiah 2:15

    And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall,

  • Psalms 74:9

    We see not our signs: [there is] no more any prophet: neither [is there] among us any that knoweth how long.

  • Ezekiel 9:5

    ¶ And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:

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