Isaiah 51:18

[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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Isaiah 51:18 vividly portrays the profound desolation and helplessness of Jerusalem (representing Israel) during a period of intense suffering, likely referring to the Babylonian exile. The verse emphasizes her utter isolation, stating that among all the children she has brought forth and raised, there is none to offer guidance or a helping hand.

Context

This verse is part of Isaiah 51, a section within "Second Isaiah" (chapters 40-55), which addresses the Jewish exiles in Babylon. It follows a powerful depiction of Jerusalem having drunk the "cup of trembling"—a metaphor for God's judgment and wrath poured out due to the nation's sin. The preceding verses call for Jerusalem to "awake" and rise from her prostrate state. Verse 18 highlights the depth of her plight: she is so broken that even her own 'sons'—her people, her leaders, or future generations—are incapable or unwilling to provide support, guidance, or comfort.

Key Themes

  • Profound Helplessness: The primary theme is Jerusalem's extreme vulnerability and lack of internal support. She is personified as a mother in distress, abandoned by her own children.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The suffering described is a direct result of Israel's disobedience, leading to divine judgment and subsequent desolation.
  • Absence of Human Aid: The verse underscores the complete failure of human resources—whether political, military, or spiritual leadership—to alleviate the nation's distress. This sets the stage for the ultimate necessity of God's intervention.
  • Anticipation of Divine Comfort: While bleak, this description of utter despair subtly prepares the way for the Lord's subsequent promises of comfort and restoration, which are central to Isaiah's message to the exiles.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used reinforce the severity of the situation. "Guide her" (נָחָה, nachah) implies leading the way, providing direction, or showing the path. "Taketh her by the hand" (אָחַז, achaz) suggests physical support, holding, or grasping to provide stability and comfort. The repetition of the idea using two distinct but complementary phrases emphasizes the absolute absence of any form of assistance from within her own ranks.

Practical Application

Isaiah 51:18 offers a powerful lesson on the consequences of straying from God and the limits of human help.

  • Dependence on God: When all human solutions fail, and we find ourselves in situations of profound helplessness, this verse reminds us that our ultimate hope and source of guidance must be God alone.
  • Impact of Sin: It serves as a stark reminder that disobedience can lead to severe consequences, including a sense of isolation and abandonment, even from those who should be closest to us.
  • Call for Compassion: For believers, it highlights the importance of being present and offering support to those who are suffering and feel abandoned, embodying the compassion of Christ.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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