Isaiah 51:18

KJV

[There is] none to guide her among all the sons [whom] she hath brought forth; neither [is there any] that taketh her by the hand of all the sons [that] she hath brought up.

KJV (with Strong's)

There is none to guide {H5095} her among all the sons {H1121} whom she hath brought forth {H3205}; neither is there any that taketh {H2388} her by the hand {H3027} of all the sons {H1121} that she hath brought up {H1431}.

Complete Jewish Bible

There is no one to guide her among all the sons she has borne. Not one of all the children she raised is taking her by the hand.

Berean Standard Bible

Among all the sons she bore, there is no one to guide her; among all the sons she brought up, there is no one to take her hand.

American Standard Version

There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand among all the sons that she hath brought up.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 51:18 powerfully depicts Jerusalem's profound desolation and utter helplessness, personified as a mother abandoned by her children. Having endured the "cup of trembling"—a metaphor for divine judgment—the city finds herself without any internal source of guidance, support, or comfort. This verse underscores the complete failure of human resources, whether leadership or the populace itself, to alleviate the nation's distress, thereby setting the stage for the essential and exclusive intervention of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Isaiah 51, a pivotal section often referred to as "Second Isaiah" (chapters 40-55), which primarily addresses the Jewish exiles in Babylon. It immediately follows a vivid and harrowing portrayal of Jerusalem having drunk the "cup of trembling," a potent metaphor for God's wrath and judgment poured out due to the nation's spiritual apostasy and disobedience, as detailed in [Isaiah 51:17](/isaiah/51-17 "Isaiah 51:17 - The Cup of Trembling"). The preceding verses issue a call for Jerusalem to "awake" and rise from her prostrate state of suffering. Verse 18 then deepens this imagery of despair, emphasizing that her affliction is so pervasive that even her own "sons"—representing her people, leaders, or future generations—are incapable or unwilling to provide the necessary support, guidance, or comfort. This profound human inability serves as a crucial backdrop, intensifying the subsequent promises of divine intervention and comfort that are central to the prophetic message of hope found later in this section.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 51 is the Babylonian exile (586-539 BC), a period of immense national trauma and displacement for the people of Judah. Jerusalem had been destroyed, its temple razed, and its inhabitants forcibly deported to Babylon. In this context, the city is personified as a grieving mother, a common biblical motif for a nation or its capital. Culturally, the expectation was that children, especially sons, would care for their aging or distressed parents, providing support, guidance, and protection. The absence of such aid from Jerusalem's "sons" would have signified an ultimate state of abandonment and despair, indicating that the very fabric of society had broken down. This profound lack of internal support highlighted the depth of the catastrophe and the complete inability of the people to deliver themselves from their plight, emphasizing their utter dependence on an external, divine deliverer.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme conveyed in Isaiah 51:18 is the **Profound Helplessness** of Jerusalem. Personified as a mother in deep distress, she is utterly abandoned and without internal support, underscoring her extreme vulnerability. This suffering is presented as a direct **Consequence of Disobedience**, a result of Israel's persistent turning away from God, which led to divine judgment and subsequent desolation. The verse starkly highlights the **Absence of Human Aid**, demonstrating the complete failure of any human resource—be it political leadership, military strength, or even the spiritual guidance of her own people—to alleviate the nation's profound distress. This complete human incapacity is not merely a statement of despair but serves a crucial theological purpose: it **Anticipates the Necessity of Divine Intervention**. By portraying such absolute despair, the prophet prepares the audience for the Lord's subsequent promises of comfort, restoration, and salvation, which are the overarching messages of hope for the exiles, as powerfully introduced in [Isaiah 40:1](/isaiah/40-1 "Isaiah 40:1 - God's Comfort for Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **guide (Hebrew, _nâhal'_):** From H5095, this word means "to run with a sparkle, i.e., flow; hence (transitively), to conduct, and (by inference) to protect, sustain; carry, feed, lead (gently, on)." In this context, it signifies the absence of anyone to provide direction, leadership, or gentle care, leaving Jerusalem adrift and without a clear path forward. It implies a lack of wise counsel and protective oversight.
* **taketh (Hebrew, _châzaq'_):** From H2388, this root means "to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer." When paired with "by the hand," it denotes the absence of anyone to grasp, hold, or provide firm support and strength. It speaks to a lack of physical and moral reinforcement, leaving Jerusalem weak and unable to stand on her own.
* **hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** From H3027, this word refers to "a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.))." It is used broadly to denote power, means, direction, or assistance. In the phrase "taketh her by the hand," it powerfully symbolizes the lack of practical help, physical support, and protective intervention. The absence of a guiding or strengthening hand underscores Jerusalem's complete vulnerability and isolation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth":** This clause establishes the central problem: Jerusalem, personified as a mother, lacks any internal source of leadership or direction. The "sons whom she hath brought forth" refer to the generations and leaders she has produced. The profound tragedy is that those who should naturally offer guidance and support are either unable or unwilling to do so, leaving her utterly lost and disoriented in her suffering.
* **"neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up":** This second clause reinforces and intensifies the first through synonymous parallelism. "Taketh her by the hand" signifies physical support, comfort, and active assistance. The "sons that she hath brought up" again refers to her own people, emphasizing the deep familial betrayal or incapacitation. The repetition highlights the absolute and pervasive nature of her abandonment; not only is there no one to lead, but there is also no one to provide practical, comforting, or stabilizing help.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 51:18 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of desolation. **Personification** is central, as Jerusalem is vividly portrayed as a mother in distress, having "brought forth" and "brought up" sons, yet finding herself utterly abandoned by them. This humanizes the city's suffering, making it relatable and emotionally impactful. The verse also utilizes **Synonymous Parallelism**, repeating the core idea of abandonment in two distinct but complementary phrases: "none to guide her" and "none that taketh her by the hand." This repetition serves to intensify the sense of complete isolation and helplessness, emphasizing that no form of support—whether intellectual guidance or practical assistance—is available from within her own ranks. Furthermore, there is an element of **Hyperbole** in the declaration that "none... among all the sons" are able to help. While not literally every single individual, the sweeping statement underscores the overwhelming and pervasive nature of the crisis, highlighting the depth of despair and the absolute failure of human resources.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 51:18 powerfully articulates the theological truth that when humanity, through its disobedience and sin, brings itself to a state of utter desolation, human solutions will invariably fail. Jerusalem's abandoned state, without a guide or a helping hand from her own "sons," underscores the limits of self-reliance and the consequences of straying from God's covenant. This profound helplessness serves to magnify the necessity and glory of God's ultimate intervention. It reveals that true comfort, guidance, and restoration can only come from the divine hand, for when all human avenues are exhausted, God alone remains as the faithful deliverer. This sets the stage for the magnificent promises of salvation and comfort that permeate the latter half of Isaiah.

* [Jeremiah 2:27-28](/jeremiah/2-27 "Jeremiah 2:27-28 - Idols Cannot Save")
* [Lamentations 1:1-2](/lamentations/1-1 "Lamentations 1:1-2 - Jerusalem's Desolation")
* [Psalm 142:4](/psalm/142-4 "Psalm 142:4 - No One Cares for My Soul")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 51:18 serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of spiritual rebellion and the ultimate futility of relying solely on human strength or wisdom in times of profound crisis. When a community or an individual drifts from God's truth, the resulting desolation can be so severe that even those who should naturally provide support and guidance become incapacitated or absent. This verse challenges us to consider where our ultimate trust lies. In moments of personal or communal despair, when all human solutions seem to fail and we feel utterly abandoned, this passage directs our gaze heavenward. It compels us to recognize that true guidance, strength, and comfort flow from God alone, who is never absent or powerless. For believers, it also underscores our responsibility to be the "hands" and "guides" for those who are lost and suffering, embodying Christ's compassion and leading others to the true source of hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be relying on human solutions or self-sufficiency instead of seeking God's guidance?**
* **How does the imagery of Jerusalem as an abandoned mother resonate with feelings of helplessness or isolation you may have experienced?**
* **What practical steps can you take to be a "hand" or a "guide" to someone in your community who feels lost or unsupported?**
* **How does this verse deepen your appreciation for God's faithfulness, especially when human help is absent?**

### FAQ
**Who is "she" in this verse, and why is she portrayed as a mother?**

Answer: In Isaiah 51:18, "she" refers to Jerusalem, which often serves as a metonym for the nation of Israel or Judah. The city is personified as a mother who has "brought forth" and "brought up" sons, symbolizing the generations and leaders of the nation. This maternal imagery is a common biblical device used to evoke a sense of deep connection, responsibility, and ultimately, profound tragedy when the children fail to support their mother. It highlights the intimate and devastating nature of Jerusalem's suffering and abandonment, as those who should be her natural protectors and comforters are absent or ineffective.

**What is the significance of the "sons" failing to help their mother, Jerusalem?**

Answer: The failure of Jerusalem's "sons" to guide or support her by the hand signifies a complete breakdown of societal and spiritual order. In ancient Near Eastern culture, children, especially sons, were expected to honor and care for their parents, particularly in old age or distress. Their absence or inability to help indicates that the very internal resources of the nation—its leadership, its people, its institutions—have been rendered impotent by the judgment and desolation. This emphasizes the depth of Israel's spiritual sickness and the extent of God's judgment, demonstrating that no human solution or internal strength could alleviate their plight. It underscores the profound helplessness that necessitated divine intervention.

**How does this verse relate to God's character, despite its bleak portrayal?**

Answer: While Isaiah 51:18 paints a bleak picture of human failure and desolation, it paradoxically highlights God's character by setting the stage for His glorious intervention. The verse demonstrates God's justice in allowing the consequences of sin to unfold, leading to a state where human efforts are completely exhausted. However, it is precisely at this point of utter human helplessness that God's compassion, power, and faithfulness are most profoundly revealed. The subsequent verses in Isaiah 51 and 52 promise God's comfort, deliverance, and restoration, demonstrating that He is the only true source of guidance and strength when all others fail. This verse, therefore, indirectly magnifies God's role as the ultimate Redeemer and Comforter.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 51:18, with its stark depiction of Jerusalem's utter helplessness and abandonment, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The verse laments the absence of any human "guide" or one to "take her by the hand," a void that humanity, in its fallen state, is perpetually unable to fill. This desperate need for a divine guide and rescuer is perfectly met in Jesus, who declares Himself to be [the Way, the Truth, and the Life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, The Way, The Truth, and The Life"), the ultimate guide for a lost and wandering humanity. Where Jerusalem's "sons" failed to offer comfort and support, Jesus extends an open invitation to all who are weary and burdened, promising rest for their souls ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). He is the Good Shepherd who gently leads His flock ([Psalm 23:1-3](/psalm/23-1 "Psalm 23:1-3 - The Lord is My Shepherd")), the compassionate High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses ([Hebrews 4:15-16](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15-16 - Our Great High Priest")), and the Wonderful Counselor ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Wonderful Counselor")) who provides perfect direction. The desolation of Jerusalem, abandoned by her own, foreshadows humanity's spiritual bankruptcy apart from Christ, emphasizing that only through His atoning sacrifice and sovereign hand can true guidance, comfort, and salvation be found. He is the one who truly takes us by the hand, not to judgment, but to eternal life.

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

Psalms 88:18

Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, [and] mine acquaintance into darkness.

Isaiah 49:21

Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where [had] they [been]?

Matthew 9:36

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Matthew 15:14

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Isaiah 45:1

¶ Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

Psalms 142:4

¶ I looked on [my] right hand, and beheld, but [there was] no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.

Isaiah 41:13

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.