Isaiah 50:9

KJV

Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who [is] he [that] shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069} will help {H5826} me; who is he that shall condemn {H7561} me? lo, they all shall wax old {H1086} as a garment {H899}; the moth {H6211} shall eat them up {H398}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Look, if Adonai ELOHIM helps me, who will dare to condemn me? Here, they are all falling apart like old, moth-eaten clothes.

Berean Standard Bible

Surely the Lord GOD helps Me. Who is there to condemn Me? See, they will all wear out like a garment; the moths will devour them.

American Standard Version

Behold, the Lord Jehovah will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? behold, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 50:9 is a powerful declaration of unwavering trust and confident vindication, spoken by the Lord's Servant amidst profound opposition. It asserts the absolute certainty of divine assistance against all adversaries, rhetorically challenging any who would condemn the Servant. The verse culminates in a vivid prophetic image of these opponents' inevitable and complete decay, likening their transient power to a garment consumed by moths, thereby highlighting the eternal permanence of God's purposes over all human malice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the concluding statement of the third of the four "Servant Songs" in the Book of Isaiah, specifically found in [Isaiah 50:4-9](/isaiah/50-4-9 "Isaiah 50:4-9 - The Suffering Servant's Obedience"). These songs progressively reveal the identity and mission of a unique figure, the "Servant of the Lord." The preceding verses in [Isaiah 50](/isaiah/50 "Isaiah 50 - The Servant's Obedience and Trust") describe the Servant's steadfast obedience to God's call, even in the face of intense suffering, humiliation, and physical abuse. The Servant declares a commitment to speaking God's word (as seen in [Isaiah 50:4](/isaiah/50-4 "Isaiah 50:4 - The Servant's Taught Tongue")) and a willingness to endure public shame and violence (as detailed in [Isaiah 50:6](/isaiah/50-6 "Isaiah 50:6 - The Servant's Suffering")). Therefore, [Isaiah 50:9](/isaiah/50-9 "Isaiah 50:9 - The Servant's Vindication") serves as the Servant's triumphant affirmation of faith and ultimate vindication, providing a powerful resolution to the preceding narrative of suffering and steadfastness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Isaiah is set against the backdrop of significant geopolitical turmoil for ancient Israel, spanning the Assyrian and Babylonian empires. While the Servant Songs have a prophetic and often Messianic scope, they also reflect the experiences of the Israelite people and the challenges faced by prophets delivering unpopular messages. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a "servant" could refer to a king, a prophet, or the nation itself, often carrying a covenantal responsibility. The imagery of a "garment" and "moth" was a common and easily understood metaphor for decay and destruction in a society where textiles were valuable and susceptible to such damage. The concept of legal "condemnation" was also deeply ingrained, making the Servant's rhetorical question a powerful assertion of innocence and divine justification within a judicial framework.

* **Key Themes:** [Isaiah 50:9](/isaiah/50-9 "Isaiah 50:9 - The Servant's Certainty of Divine Help") powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent throughout Isaiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Aid and Vindication**, portraying God as the ultimate protector and justifier of His faithful Servant. This theme resonates with the declaration in [Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31 - God Is For Us"), "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Secondly, the verse highlights **Unwavering Confidence in God's Righteousness**, even when facing severe opposition and false accusation. The Servant's rhetorical question, "who is he that shall condemn me?", is not a plea but a bold assertion of blamelessness rooted in divine approval, echoing the trust expressed in [Psalm 27:1](/psalm/27-1 "Psalm 27:1 - The Lord Is My Light and Salvation"). Finally, the vivid imagery of the moth-eaten garment emphasizes the **Transient Nature of Human Opposition and Evil**. This metaphor assures that all human power, malice, and schemes against God's purposes are temporary and ultimately destined to decay, contrasting sharply with the eternal and unshakeable nature of God's truth and justice, a theme also found in [Psalm 102:26-27](/psalm/102-26-27 "Psalm 102:26-27 - God's Enduring Nature").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **help (Hebrew, _ʻâzar'_):** This primitive root signifies to surround, to protect, or to aid. In the context of Isaiah 50:9, it conveys a comprehensive divine assistance that encompasses both active support and defensive protection. The Servant is not merely receiving minor assistance but is enveloped by God's succor, ensuring His steadfastness and ultimate triumph over adversaries.
* **condemn (Hebrew, _râshaʻ'_):** This verb means to be or to declare wrong, to find guilty, or to make wicked. It carries strong legal and moral connotations, implying a formal accusation or judgment. The rhetorical question "who is he that shall condemn me?" therefore challenges the very legitimacy and authority of any accuser, asserting the Servant's blamelessness and God's absolute justification.
* **wax old (Hebrew, _bâlâh'_):** This primitive root describes the process of failing, wearing out, decaying, or becoming old. When applied to the adversaries, it vividly portrays their inevitable decline and dissolution. Their power, influence, and very existence are depicted as having an inherent, time-bound decay, contrasting sharply with the eternal and unchanging nature of God's support for His Servant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, the Lord GOD will help me;":** This opening clause is a foundational declaration of absolute trust and divine assurance. The use of "Behold" (הִנֵּה, _hinneh_) draws immediate attention to a profound truth. "The Lord GOD" (אֲדֹנָי יְהֹוִה, _ʼĂdônây Yᵉhôvih_) emphasizes God's dual nature as both sovereign Master (Adonai) and covenant-keeping God (YHWH), highlighting the unshakeable basis of His promised help. The future tense "will help me" expresses a certainty that transcends present suffering, rooting the Servant's confidence in God's active and unfailing intervention.
* **"who is he that shall condemn me?":** This is a powerful rhetorical question, not seeking information but asserting an undeniable truth. It functions as a defiant challenge to any accuser or adversary. Since the Lord GOD Himself is the Servant's helper and justifier, no human or spiritual power possesses the authority or ability to legitimately condemn Him. This question underscores the Servant's moral and spiritual blamelessness, affirmed by divine approval.
* **"lo, they all shall wax old as a garment;":** The interjection "lo" (הֵן, _hen_) again draws attention to a prophetic certainty. This clause introduces a vivid metaphor for the fate of the Servant's adversaries. Likening them to a "garment" destined to "wax old" (decay, wear out) communicates their inherent frailty and temporal nature. Unlike the eternal God and His enduring Servant, the power and influence of their opponents are subject to inevitable decline and eventual obsolescence.
* **"the moth shall eat them up.":** This final, stark image completes the metaphor of decay and destruction. The "moth" (עָשׁ, _ʻâsh_) is a small, seemingly insignificant creature, yet it represents a pervasive and unstoppable force of ruin for fabric. This imagery emphasizes the complete and irreversible consumption of the adversaries. Their destruction is not through direct confrontation but through an insidious, natural process of decay, leaving nothing behind. It signifies their utter powerlessness and eventual disappearance in the face of God's eternal purposes.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 50:9 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "who is he that shall condemn me?", which is not meant to elicit an answer but to emphatically assert the Servant's unassailable innocence and divine justification. This device powerfully communicates the Servant's absolute confidence in God's vindication. Following this, the verse employs a striking **Metaphor** and **Simile** by comparing the adversaries to a "garment" that "shall wax old" and is consumed by a "moth." This vivid imagery transforms abstract concepts of decay and destruction into tangible, relatable experiences. The "moth" itself functions as a **Symbol** of insidious, inevitable ruin, suggesting that the enemies' power will not be overcome by brute force but by a natural, divinely ordained process of deterioration. The phrase "eat them up" also contains a subtle element of **Personification**, attributing an active, consuming agency to the moth, further emphasizing the complete and irreversible nature of the adversaries' demise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 50:9 stands as a testament to the theological principle of divine vindication for the righteous, particularly for those who faithfully endure suffering for God's purposes. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to His Servant, ensuring that no accusation or opposition can ultimately prevail against His chosen one. This passage highlights the stark contrast between the transient nature of human power and malice, which is destined to decay, and the eternal, unshakeable power of God. It provides a profound assurance that ultimate justice and triumph belong to those who trust implicitly in the Lord GOD, even when facing the most severe trials and public humiliation.

* [Romans 8:33-34](/romans/8-33-34 "God Justifies Us")
* [Psalm 37:1-2](/psalm/37-1-2 "The Wicked Will Fade")
* [Matthew 10:28](/matthew/10-28 "Fear God, Not Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 50:9 offers profound encouragement and a blueprint for faith in the face of adversity. In a world often marked by injustice, false accusations, and overwhelming opposition, this verse reminds us that our ultimate vindication and security rest not in human approval or strength, but in the unfailing help of the Lord GOD. It calls us to cultivate a deep, unwavering trust in God's righteousness and His commitment to upholding those who are faithful to Him. When we face criticism, slander, or seemingly insurmountable challenges, we can confidently declare, like the Servant, that if God is for us, no one can ultimately condemn us. This confidence liberates us from the fear of man and empowers us to stand firm in our integrity, knowing that our accusers, like moth-eaten garments, are transient and will ultimately fade, while God's truth and our standing with Him are eternal.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Servant's unwavering trust in God's help challenge my own anxieties when facing opposition or criticism?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to release the need for human approval and instead rely solely on God's vindication?**
* **What "moths" (insidious forces or transient powers) in my life or society do I need to recognize as ultimately fleeting in comparison to God's eternal purposes?**
* **How can the confidence expressed in this verse empower me to stand firm in my faith and values, even when it leads to suffering or unpopularity?**

### FAQ
**Who is "the Servant" referred to in Isaiah 50:9, and how does this apply to me?**

Answer: The "Servant" in Isaiah 50:9 is a multifaceted figure. Historically, it can refer to the prophet Isaiah himself, or metaphorically to the nation of Israel called to serve God. However, biblically and theologically, the Servant Songs, including [Isaiah 50](/isaiah/50 "Isaiah 50 - The Suffering Servant"), are most profoundly understood as Messianic prophecies, pointing to Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate Suffering Servant who perfectly fulfilled God's will, endured humiliation, and was ultimately vindicated. For believers today, while we are not the unique Messianic Servant, we are called to be servants of God. This verse applies to us by offering a model of faith and assurance: if we align ourselves with God's will and endure suffering for righteousness, God will ultimately be our helper and vindicator, just as He was for His perfect Servant.

**What is the significance of the imagery of the "moth" and the "garment" in this verse?**

Answer: The imagery of a "moth" consuming a "garment" was a powerful and relatable metaphor in ancient times for inevitable decay and destruction. Garments were valuable possessions, and moths were a common, insidious threat that could silently and completely ruin them. In [Isaiah 50:9](/isaiah/50-9 "Isaiah 50:9 - The Moth and the Garment"), this imagery signifies the complete and irreversible demise of the Servant's adversaries. Their power, influence, and even their very existence are portrayed as temporary and fragile, destined to waste away without any lasting impact. It contrasts their fleeting nature with the eternal and enduring power of God and His purposes, offering comfort that human opposition, no matter how formidable it seems, is ultimately powerless against divine will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 50:9 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential Suffering Servant, perfectly embodying the obedience and unwavering trust described in this passage. Like the Servant who "set his face like a flint" ([Isaiah 50:7](/isaiah/50-7 "Isaiah 50:7 - The Servant's Resolve")), Jesus steadfastly pursued God's will, enduring unimaginable suffering and humiliation, including being mocked, beaten, and spat upon, as recorded in the Gospels (e.g., [Matthew 27:27-31](/matthew/27-27-31 "Matthew 27:27-31 - Jesus Mocked")). Despite facing the ultimate condemnation from both human and spiritual adversaries at the cross, Jesus confidently entrusted Himself to God. The rhetorical question, "who is he that shall condemn me?", finds its answer in Christ's resurrection and ascension, which serve as God's definitive declaration of His blamelessness and triumph over sin and death. The "moth" that "eats up" the adversaries speaks to the complete and utter defeat of all forces arrayed against God's plan, including Satan, sin, and death, which were decisively conquered by Christ's sacrifice and resurrection ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). Through Christ, believers are also invited into this divine vindication, as His righteousness is imputed to them, ensuring that "there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")).

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

Job 13:28

And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten.

Hebrews 1:11

They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;

Hebrews 1:12

And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Psalms 102:26

They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:

Isaiah 41:10

¶ Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 51:6

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

Isaiah 51:8

For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.