5:28 5:28

Isaiah 5:29

5:30 5:30

Bible Versions

Their roaring [shall be] like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry [it] away safe, and none shall deliver [it].
Their roaring {H7581} shall be like a lion {H3833}, they shall roar {H7580}{H7580} like young lions {H3715}: yea, they shall roar {H5098}, and lay hold {H270} of the prey {H2964}, and shall carry it away safe {H6403}, and none shall deliver {H5337} it.
They will roar like lions - yes, roaring like young lions, they growl and seize the prey and carry it off, with no one to rescue.
Their roaring is like that of a lion; they roar like young lions. They growl and seize their prey; they carry it away from deliverance.
their roaring shall be like a lioness, they shall roar like young lions; yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and carry it away safe, and there shall be none to deliver.

Isaiah 5:29 describes a vivid and terrifying picture of God's impending judgment upon ancient Israel. The prophet Isaiah employs powerful animal imagery to convey the ferocity and inevitability of the foreign invaders God will send. The verse states, "Their roaring [shall be] like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry [it] away safe, and none shall deliver [it]." This illustrates the overwhelming power and success of the chosen instrument of divine wrath, from which there will be no escape or rescue.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophecy in Isaiah, often referred to as the "Song of the Vineyard" (Isaiah 5:1-7), which details God's loving care for His people, followed by their unfaithfulness and subsequent judgment. Verses 8-25 list a series of "woes" pronounced against the moral and spiritual corruption of Israel, including greed, drunkenness, defiance, and perversion of justice. Isaiah 5:26-30 then shifts to describing the instrument of God's judgment: a swift, relentless, and powerful foreign army. Verse 29 specifically emphasizes the terrifying nature and complete success of this invading force, acting as an agent of God's righteous judgment against sin. This imagery would have been particularly frightening to a people familiar with the danger of lions.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The primary theme is God's active and decisive judgment against His unfaithful people. The foreign army is not acting on its own accord but as a tool in God's hands to execute His justice.
  • Irresistible Power: The comparison to a lion, especially "young lions," signifies an overwhelming, predatory force that cannot be resisted. Once this judgment is unleashed, no human power can withstand it or prevent its outcome.
  • No Deliverance: The phrase "none shall deliver [it]" underscores the futility of resistance and the certainty of capture. When God's judgment falls, there is no escape or rescue, highlighting the severe consequences of disobedience.
  • Consequences of Sin: This passage serves as a stark reminder that persistent rebellion against God's commands leads to severe penalties, demonstrating God's holiness and His commitment to justice.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms for "lion" (לָבִיא - lavi) and "young lions" (כְּפִירִים - kefirim) are used to evoke images of raw, untamed power and predatory instinct. The repetition of "roar" (יִשְׁאַג - yish'ag) intensifies the sense of terror and the relentless pursuit of the invaders. The phrase "lay hold of the prey, and shall carry it away safe" (יֶאֱחֹז וְיַפְלִיט) literally means they will seize and escape with their spoils, emphasizing that their mission will be completely successful, and no one will be able to retrieve what they have taken. This imagery of a powerful, unified force is also seen in other prophetic judgments, such as Jeremiah 5:6.

Related Scriptures

  • For the broader context of God's judicial actions against a rebellious people, see Isaiah 5:1-7.
  • The idea that human strength is futile against God's determined judgment is echoed in Psalm 33:16-17.
  • The concept of an irresistible judgment from which there is no deliverance is also found in Amos 5:2.

Practical Application

Isaiah 5:29 serves as a timeless warning that God is sovereign over nations and history, and His justice will ultimately prevail. For believers today, it underscores the seriousness of sin and the importance of heeding God's warnings. While the specific judgment was on ancient Israel, the principle remains: God holds His people accountable. This verse encourages a posture of humility, repentance, and obedience, reminding us that true security comes from walking in God's ways, not from human strength or alliances. It also highlights the ultimate certainty of God's wrath against ungodliness.

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.

  • Zechariah 11:3

    [There is] a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.

  • Isaiah 42:22

    But this [is] a people robbed and spoiled; [they are] all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.

  • Micah 5:8

    And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.

  • Isaiah 49:24

    ¶ Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?

  • Isaiah 49:25

    But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.

  • Jeremiah 51:38

    They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions' whelps.

  • Psalms 50:22

    Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear [you] in pieces, and [there be] none to deliver.
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