Isaiah 32:9

KJV

¶ Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech.

KJV (with Strong's)

Rise up {H6965}, ye women {H802} that are at ease {H7600}; hear {H8085} my voice {H6963}, ye careless {H982} daughters {H1323}; give ear {H238} unto my speech {H565}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You women who are so complacent, listen to me! Overconfident women, pay attention to my words!

Berean Standard Bible

Stand up, you complacent women; listen to me. Give ear to my word, you overconfident daughters.

American Standard Version

Rise up, ye women that are at ease, andhear my voice; ye careless daughters, give ear unto my speech.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 32:9 issues a poignant prophetic challenge to the complacent women of Judah, urging them to awaken from their spiritual apathy and heed the divine warning. This verse functions as a direct, urgent summons from God, delivered through the prophet Isaiah, highlighting a dangerous state of false security and indifference prevalent among a segment of the population, particularly those who felt insulated by their comfort and status. It signals that their current ease is unsustainable and will soon be shattered by a period of divine reckoning, necessitating an immediate and attentive response to God's voice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 32 is strategically placed within a larger prophetic section (chapters 28-33) that oscillates between pronouncements of judgment against Judah's spiritual failures and glorious promises of future restoration under a righteous king. The chapter opens with a messianic vision of a just ruler and wise princes who will bring peace and stability, transforming society ([Isaiah 32:1-8](/isaiah/32-1-8 "Isaiah 32:1-8 - The Reign of the Righteous King")). However, this hopeful future is immediately juxtaposed with a stark warning of impending desolation, a necessary precursor to such blessing. Verse 9 marks a dramatic shift in address, directly confronting the "women that are at ease" and "careless daughters." This direct address indicates that their current state of comfort and spiritual negligence is fundamentally at odds with the coming reality. The verses that follow this address vividly describe the severe consequences of their complacency, detailing a period of barrenness and mourning that will force a profound reckoning with their true spiritual condition ([Isaiah 32:10-14](/isaiah/32-10-14 "Isaiah 32:10-14 - Desolation and the Spirit Poured Out")). This literary movement underscores Isaiah's core message: genuine peace and righteousness can only emerge from a period of humbling and spiritual awakening.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies of Isaiah were delivered during a tumultuous era in Judah's history, primarily spanning the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (c. 740-687 BC). During this period, Judah faced immense external pressures, particularly from the rising power of the Assyrian Empire. Despite these national threats, segments of Jerusalemite society, likely the wealthy elite and influential classes, enjoyed a degree of prosperity and felt a false sense of security. This could have stemmed from temporary political alliances, a belief in Jerusalem's invulnerability due to the Temple, or simply a detachment from the broader national crisis. The "women" addressed in this verse are generally understood to represent these upper echelons of society whose lives of luxury and comfort had fostered deep spiritual indifference and a detachment from the nation's moral and religious decline. This complacency was not a new phenomenon; Isaiah had previously issued strong rebukes against the "haughty daughters of Zion" for their pride, materialism, and ungodly lifestyles, warning of impending judgment that would strip them of their finery and status ([Isaiah 3:16-24](/isaiah/3-16-24 "Isaiah 3:16-24 - The Haughty Daughters of Zion")). The cultural backdrop suggests a society where outward religious observance might have persisted, but genuine spiritual devotion, attentiveness to prophetic warnings, and reliance on God had significantly eroded among many, especially those who felt economically or socially secure.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 32:9 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prominent in Isaiah and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it embodies the **Divine Rebuke of Complacency**, a recurring motif where God confronts His people's spiritual lethargy and false sense of security. The "ease" and "carelessness" described are not merely physical comforts but dangerous spiritual postures that indicate a misplaced trust—a reliance on human strength, material possessions, or political maneuvering rather than on the sovereign Lord. This theme resonates deeply with other prophetic warnings against those who are "[at ease in Zion](/amos/6-1 "Amos 6:1 - Woe to those at ease in Zion")" and oblivious to impending divine judgment. Secondly, the verse emphasizes an **Urgent Call to Listen and Repentance**. The repeated imperative commands ("Rise up," "hear my voice," "give ear unto my speech") underscore God's earnest desire for His people to pay attention, acknowledge their sin, and turn back to Him before it is too late. This call to attentive listening (Hebrew: *shama'*) implies not just auditory perception but also understanding, internalizing, and obeying God's word. Thirdly, while not explicitly detailed within this single verse, the immediate context of Isaiah 32 clearly points towards **Impending Judgment and Desolation**. The women's complacency will be shattered by a period of severe hardship and divine reckoning, intended to humble them and ultimately lead to genuine spiritual awakening and restoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rise up (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** From H6965, this primitive root means "to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)." Here, it is an imperative, functioning as a powerful call to spiritual awakening. It signifies more than a physical change in posture; it demands a shift from a state of reclining apathy to one of alertness, readiness, and responsive action. It implies shaking off spiritual slumber and taking a stand.
* **at ease (Hebrew, _shaʼănân'_):** From H7600, this word describes being "secure; in a bad sense, haughty; that is at ease, quiet, tumult." In this context, it carries a strong negative connotation, referring to a presumptuous and dangerous sense of security or prosperity. This state of "ease" leads to spiritual negligence, arrogance, and a lack of vigilance, representing a misplaced or unearned confidence that blinds one to impending danger or divine judgment.
* **hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** From H8085, this primitive root means "to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)." This is far more than simply perceiving sound. It is a profound demand for attentive, understanding, and obedient listening. God is calling for a response that engages both the intellect and the will, leading to action based on what is heard.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Rise up, ye women that are at ease;":** This opening imperative is a dramatic and confrontational call to action. The command "Rise up" (qûwm) is a spiritual summons, urging the addressed women to abandon their comfortable, reclining posture of apathy and become alert. The phrase "women that are at ease" (shaʼănân) specifically targets a segment of society, likely the affluent and influential, who have become complacent and spiritually negligent due to their perceived security or prosperity. This phrase immediately establishes a tone of divine confrontation against their dangerous indifference and false sense of peace.
* **"hear my voice, ye careless daughters;":** The prophet, speaking with divine authority, issues a direct command to "hear my voice" (shâmaʻ qôwl). This is a demand for intelligent and obedient listening, not mere auditory perception. The "careless daughters" (bâṭach bath) are further identified as those who have placed their trust in false securities, exhibiting a heedless and overconfident attitude that ignores warnings. The use of "daughters" is a tender yet firm address, emphasizing their familial relationship to the covenant people, making their spiritual negligence all the more grievous in God's eyes.
* **"give ear unto my speech.":** This final imperative ("give ear," ʼâzan) reinforces and intensifies the preceding call to hear, adding an emphasis on attentive, receptive, and discerning listening. "My speech" (ʼimrâh) refers to God's divine word, His prophetic message, which carries the weight of His authority and truth. The repetition of the call to listen underscores the urgency and seriousness of the divine warning, indicating that the very future and well-being of the people depend on their willingness to truly listen and respond to the truth being spoken.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 32:9 masterfully employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey its urgent message and confront the complacency of its audience. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, where the prophet directly addresses a specific group, "ye women that are at ease" and "ye careless daughters," as if they were present and listening. This direct address creates an immediate, personal, and confrontational tone, making the warning intensely piercing and unavoidable. **Parallelism** is powerfully evident in the two synonymous phrases "hear my voice" and "give ear unto my speech," which reinforce the central command to listen attentively, intensifying the urgency through repetition and slight variation. The terms "at ease" and "careless" function as a form of **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where the physical or emotional state represents the broader spiritual condition of apathy, false security, and negligence that pervades a segment of Judahite society. The entire verse functions as a **Prophetic Oracle**, a direct divine utterance delivered through the prophet, carrying the weight of God's authority and His imminent judgment, designed to provoke a response.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 32:9 serves as a profound theological statement on the insidious dangers of spiritual complacency and the absolute necessity of heeding divine warnings. It underscores God's active and unwavering engagement with His people, even in their spiritual apathy, and His steadfast commitment to call them to account. The "ease" and "carelessness" described are not merely social or economic conditions but deeply rooted spiritual postures that reflect a misplaced trust—a reliance on human security, accumulated wealth, or fleeting political alliances rather than on the sovereign and faithful Lord. This verse teaches a crucial truth: true and lasting security is found only in humble obedience and attentive responsiveness to God's word. Furthermore, it highlights that divine judgment, though often painful, frequently serves as a necessary and merciful means to awaken a slumbering people to their true spiritual state, their profound dependence on Him, and the urgency of repentance. It vividly portrays God's character as both a loving Father who warns His children and a righteous Judge who holds them accountable for their heedlessness.

* [Amos 6:1](/amos/6-1 "Amos 6:1 - Woe to those at ease in Zion")
* [Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16-21 "Luke 12:16-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool")
* [Revelation 3:17-19](/revelation/3-17-19 "Revelation 3:17-19 - The Laodicean Church's Complacency")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 32:9 remains profoundly relevant for believers today, serving as a timeless call to spiritual vigilance and an urgent summons to attentive listening. In an age characterized by unprecedented comfort, endless distractions, and a pervasive sense of self-sufficiency, this verse challenges us to rigorously examine our own hearts for any subtle signs of complacency or false security. Are we, like the women of Judah, so "at ease" in our material blessings, social standing, or even our religious routines that we become deaf to the quiet promptings of the Holy Spirit or indifferent to the pressing spiritual needs around us? The prophet's urgent plea reminds us that true spiritual health demands constant self-assessment, a humble posture of dependence, and a diligent commitment to listening to God's Word. It stands as a powerful warning against allowing prosperity or perceived stability to lull us into a state where we neglect our intimate relationship with God, ignore His commands, or become insensitive to the spiritual signs of the times. This verse calls us to actively "rise up" from any spiritual slumber, to cultivate an attentive ear to God's "voice" and "speech" as revealed in Scripture, and to place our ultimate trust not in fleeting earthly securities but in the unchanging faithfulness and sovereign power of our Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be "at ease" or "careless" in a way that subtly hinders my spiritual growth or my obedience to God's call?**
* **How diligently do I truly "hear" God's voice and "give ear" to His speech through consistent engagement with Scripture, devoted prayer, and the wise counsel of the believing community?**
* **What false securities, misplaced trusts, or worldly comforts might be subtly preventing me from fully relying on God in every circumstance, especially during times of uncertainty?**
* **What practical and intentional steps can I take this week to cultivate a greater sense of spiritual vigilance, attentiveness, and responsive obedience in my daily walk with Christ?**

### FAQ
**Who are the "women that are at ease" and "careless daughters" addressed in this verse?**

Answer: While literally referring to women, these phrases are generally understood to represent a specific segment of the population in Judah, particularly within Jerusalem, during Isaiah's time. They likely refer to the affluent, influential, and socially secure women who, due to their comfortable circumstances, had become spiritually complacent, indifferent to the nation's moral decline, and oblivious to God's warnings and impending judgment. They embody a broader societal problem of false security and spiritual apathy that the prophet is rebuking. This is consistent with earlier prophetic condemnations of the "[haughty daughters of Zion](/isaiah/3-16 "Isaiah 3:16 - The Haughty Daughters of Zion")" in Isaiah 3, suggesting a recurring theme of divine displeasure with outward pride and inward spiritual emptiness.

**Why does God specifically address "women" in this prophecy?**

Answer: The direct address to "women" is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it highlights that spiritual complacency was pervasive, affecting all segments of society, including those who might have felt insulated by their social status or gender roles, underscoring the universality of the divine call to repentance. Secondly, women in ancient Israel often played a crucial role in shaping the spiritual and moral climate of the home and community; their spiritual apathy could therefore have profound implications for the next generation and the nation's overall well-being. Thirdly, the use of "daughters" (Hebrew: *bath*) adds a poignant, almost parental, tone to the rebuke, emphasizing God's intimate yet disappointed relationship with His covenant people. It is a direct, piercing call to those who should be most responsive to the nation's spiritual health and the warnings of their loving Father.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 32:9, with its urgent call to "rise up" from spiritual complacency and "hear" God's voice in the face of impending judgment, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "ease" and "carelessness" that characterized the women of Judah mirror the spiritual blindness, self-sufficiency, and misplaced trust that Jesus frequently confronted in His own earthly ministry. He continually called people to a radical awakening, urging them to "[repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand](/matthew/4-17 "Matthew 4:17 - Jesus Begins His Ministry")", demanding a decisive turning from spiritual slumber. While Isaiah warned of physical desolation and temporal judgment, Christ's warnings often pointed to a deeper, eternal spiritual judgment for those who refused to hear His "speech" and receive His "voice." He is the very Word of God made flesh, the ultimate divine "speech" to which humanity must "give ear" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") and [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken by His Son")). The true security that the women of Judah lacked is found solely in Christ, who offers not a false "ease" or fleeting comfort, but a deep, abiding peace that transcends all worldly circumstances and anxieties ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus Gives Peace")). His call to "[take up your cross and follow me](/mark/8-34 "Mark 8:34 - Take Up Your Cross")" is the ultimate "rise up," demanding an active, vigilant, and trusting response that leads to eternal life rather than temporal judgment, ushering believers into the true and lasting kingdom of God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 13:9

Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Isaiah 3:16

¶ Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing [as] they go, and making a tinkling with their feet:

Isaiah 28:23

¶ Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.

Amos 6:1

¶ Woe to them [that are] at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, [which are] named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!

Amos 6:6

That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

Lamentations 4:5

They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.

Zephaniah 2:15

This [is] the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I [am], and [there is] none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, [and] wag his hand.