Isaiah 51:20

KJV

Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thy sons {H1121} have fainted {H5968}, they lie {H7901} at the head {H7218} of all the streets {H2351}, as a wild bull {H8377} in a net {H4364}: they are full {H4392} of the fury {H2534} of the LORD {H3068}, the rebuke {H1606} of thy God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Your children lie helpless at every street corner, like an antelope trapped in a net; they are full of ADONAI's fury, the rebuke of your God.

Berean Standard Bible

Your sons have fainted; they lie at the head of every street, like an antelope in a net. They are full of the wrath of the LORD, the rebuke of your God.

American Standard Version

Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as an antelope in a net; they are full of the wrath of Jehovah, the rebuke of thy God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 51:20 presents a stark and deeply distressing portrayal of God's people, Jerusalem, in a state of utter collapse and profound helplessness. The verse vividly depicts them as having fainted and lying prostrate in the public thoroughfares, utterly incapacitated and ensnared like a powerful wild animal caught in a net. This calamitous condition is explicitly attributed to the overwhelming "fury" and "rebuke" of the LORD, underscoring that their suffering is a direct and severe consequence of divine judgment for their disobedience and covenant unfaithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 51 is situated within the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-55), a prophetic section primarily aimed at offering hope, assurance, and the promise of restoration to the exiles in Babylon. However, before the full weight of comfort can be appreciated, the prophet often reiterates the reasons for the judgment and exile. Verses 17-19 of Isaiah 51 set the stage by depicting Jerusalem as having drunk the "cup of staggering" and being utterly desolate, lacking anyone to guide her. Verse 20 continues this lament, shifting the focus from the city's state to its inhabitants, portraying their individual and collective suffering as a direct result of this divine judgment. The immediate shift in tone in [Isaiah 51:21-23](/isaiah/51-21-23 "Isaiah 51:21-23 - God's Promise to Deliver Jerusalem") is critical, as God declares He will remove the "cup of trembling" from Jerusalem and pass it to her tormentors, signaling an imminent reversal of fortune and the end of her suffering. This rapid transition highlights the dynamic interplay between divine judgment and promised redemption within Isaiah's overarching message.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The powerful imagery in Isaiah 51:20 is deeply rooted in the historical reality of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The destruction of the city, the temple, and the subsequent deportation of its inhabitants to Babylon represented a catastrophic national trauma. The "streets" (H2351, *chûwts*) were the public squares and thoroughfares where the defeated populace would have been exposed to the elements, their captors, and public humiliation, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern warfare. The metaphor of a "wild bull in a net" (H8377, *tᵉʼôw* and H4364, *makmâr*) would have resonated profoundly with an agricultural society familiar with the capture of powerful, untamed animals. This vivid comparison symbolizes the complete subjugation, loss of freedom, and utter helplessness experienced by a once-proud and strong nation. The explicit attribution of their plight to the "fury of the LORD" (H2534, *chêmâh*) and "rebuke of thy God" (H1606, *gᵉʻârâh*) reflects the consistent biblical understanding that national calamities were often interpreted as divine judgment for covenant unfaithfulness, as solemnly warned in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prevalent in the book of Isaiah. It vividly underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Consequences**, demonstrating God's unwavering righteousness and the inevitable suffering that follows sustained disobedience to His covenant. The imagery of fainting and being trapped highlights the profound **Helplessness and Despair** of humanity when facing divine displeasure, emphasizing that no human strength, cunning, or military might can withstand God's decree. Furthermore, the public display of their suffering "at the head of all the streets" introduces the theme of **Public Humiliation and Shame**, a stark contrast to God's original intention for Israel to be a glorious light to the nations (e.g., [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - A Light to the Nations")). Ultimately, even within this scene of devastation, the verse reinforces **God's Sovereignty**, as their plight is directly from His hand, setting the crucial theological stage for His subsequent intervention, reversal of fortune, and promised restoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fainted (Hebrew, _ʻâlaph'_):** From a primitive root meaning "to veil or cover," this word figuratively describes a state of being languid, overcome, or wrapped in a stupor. In this context, it conveys a profound physical and spiritual exhaustion, a complete loss of strength, vitality, and consciousness, indicating utter collapse and helplessness. It suggests a state of being utterly overwhelmed and incapacitated.
* **fury (Hebrew, _chêmâh'_):** This term denotes intense heat, figuratively representing burning anger or wrath. Here, it signifies the fierce, consuming indignation of the LORD, a powerful and destructive divine emotion that is the direct cause of the people's suffering. It is a potent expression of God's righteous judgment, implying a passionate and unyielding displeasure.
* **rebuke (Hebrew, _gᵉʻârâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to chide," this word refers to a strong, severe scolding, reprimand, or censure. In a theological sense, it carries the weight of divine disapproval, implying a powerful, authoritative, and often destructive expression of God's displeasure that leads to the calamitous consequences described in the verse. It is not merely a verbal correction but an active manifestation of divine indignation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets":** This clause paints a grim and public picture of the people's physical and emotional collapse. "Thy sons" (H1121, *bên*) refers collectively to the inhabitants of Jerusalem or Judah, depicting them not as individuals but as a defeated nation. Their "fainting" (H5968, *ʻâlaph*) signifies utter exhaustion, loss of vitality, and perhaps even unconsciousness due to starvation, trauma, or despair. "Lying at the head of all the streets" (H7218, *rôʼsh* and H2351, *chûwts*) emphasizes their public humiliation and extreme vulnerability, prostrate in the most visible parts of their city, stripped of dignity and strength.
* **"as a wild bull in a net":** This powerful and poignant simile further elaborates on their helpless and entrapped state. A "wild bull" (H8377, *tᵉʼôw*), likely a powerful wild ox or antelope, is a creature renowned for its immense strength, ferocity, and untamed power. To find such an animal "in a net" (H4364, *makmâr*) signifies its complete capture, subjugation, and the rendering of all its inherent might utterly useless. This imagery powerfully conveys the total loss of freedom, strength, and ability to resist or escape their dire predicament, highlighting their complete subjugation.
* **"they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God":** This final clause unequivocally reveals the divine cause of their profound suffering. Their state of collapse and entrapment is not accidental, nor merely the result of human conflict or military defeat, but a direct consequence of being "full" (H4392, *mâlêʼ*) of God's intense "fury" (H2534, *chêmâh*) and severe "rebuke" (H1606, *gᵉʻârâh*). The parallel use of both "the LORD" (H3068, *Yᵉhôvâh*), the covenant name of God, and "thy God" (H430, *ʼĕlôhîym*), underscores the personal, relational, and covenantal nature of this divine judgment, coming from the very God with whom Israel had a special, yet broken, relationship.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 51:20 is profoundly impactful due to its masterful use of **Imagery**, painting a vivid and distressing scene of national collapse and despair. The description of "sons" lying prostrate "at the head of all the streets" immediately conjures a picture of public defeat, shame, and utter helplessness. The most striking device is the **Simile**, "as a wild bull in a net," which powerfully communicates the people's former strength and untamed spirit contrasted with their current state of complete entrapment and impotency. This comparison is highly effective, drawing on familiar experiences of animal capture to illustrate human subjugation and the overwhelming nature of their predicament. Furthermore, the phrase "full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God" employs **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human emotions like "fury" and "rebuke" to God, making His active displeasure and righteous judgment palpable and intensely personal. The entire verse functions as a poignant **Lament**, expressing profound sorrow and distress over the dire consequences of divine judgment, yet within the broader context of Isaiah, it also serves as a necessary preamble to the subsequent promises of restoration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse starkly portrays the devastating consequences of covenant unfaithfulness, demonstrating God's unwavering justice and the reality of His righteous judgment against sin. It underscores the biblical principle that while God is merciful and gracious, He is also holy and will not tolerate rebellion indefinitely. The profound helplessness depicted serves as a powerful reminder that human strength, self-reliance, or political maneuvering are utterly insufficient in the face of divine wrath. It highlights the absolute sovereignty of God over nations and their destinies. Yet, within the broader context of Isaiah, this judgment is not final; it serves as a painful, disciplinary act intended to lead to repentance and a deeper reliance on God's ultimate promise of redemption and restoration. The suffering of God's people, even at His hand, points to their desperate need for a divine deliverer who can absorb this wrath and bring true liberation.

* [Lamentations 2:19](/lamentations/2-19 "Lamentations 2:19 - Pour Out Your Heart Like Water")
* [Jeremiah 4:7](/jeremiah/4-7 "Jeremiah 4:7 - The Lion Has Come Up")
* [Isaiah 42:24-25](/isaiah/42-24-25 "Isaiah 42:24-25 - Who Gave Jacob to Plunder?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 51:20 confronts us with the sobering reality of divine judgment and the profound consequences of spiritual rebellion. While the immediate context is historical Israel, the principles resonate timelessly: sin has real, often devastating repercussions, and God's holiness demands a response. This verse calls us to a deep humility, recognizing our own vulnerability and inability to stand against God's righteous anger through our own strength or self-sufficiency. It should prompt us to examine our lives for areas of disobedience, self-reliance, or spiritual complacency, and to turn to God in genuine repentance, understanding that true peace and security are found only in humble alignment with His will. Yet, it also compels us to look beyond the immediate scene of judgment to the character of the God who, even in His wrath, remembers mercy. Just as He promised to remove the "cup of trembling" from Jerusalem, He offers hope and restoration to all who, acknowledging their helplessness and need, cast themselves upon His boundless grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be relying on my own strength or resources, rather than fully submitting to God's will, potentially leading to a state of spiritual "fainting" or "entrapment"?**
* **How does understanding God's "fury" and "rebuke" deepen my appreciation for His holiness and justice, and how does it drive me to seek His mercy and grace through Christ?**
* **Considering the dramatic shift in Isaiah 51 from judgment to promise, how does this passage encourage me to find hope and anticipate God's restorative work even in the midst of difficult consequences or personal trials?**

### FAQ
**What does "at the head of all the streets" signify in this context?**

Answer: "At the head of all the streets" (H7218, *rôʼsh* and H2351, *chûwts*) signifies a place of public display, utter vulnerability, and profound humiliation. In ancient cities, streets were vital public spaces where people gathered, traded, and where significant events, including public punishments or displays of defeat, unfolded. For the "sons" (H1121, *bên*), representing the people of Jerusalem, to be lying there "fainted" (H5968, *ʻâlaph*) meant they were exposed, incapacitated, and utterly stripped of dignity in plain sight of everyone. It speaks to a complete loss of power, status, and the ability to function, serving as a stark symbol of national defeat and the public consequences of divine judgment.

**How can a "wild bull" be "in a net," and what does this imagery convey?**

Answer: A "wild bull" (H8377, *tᵉʼôw*), likely referring to a powerful wild ox or antelope, is an animal known for its immense strength, ferocity, and untamed nature. To find such a creature "in a net" (H4364, *makmâr*) signifies its complete capture and subjugation, rendering its formidable power utterly useless. This imagery powerfully conveys the absolute helplessness and inescapable entrapment of the people of Judah. Despite their inherent strength or former might as a nation, they have been completely overpowered and rendered impotent, unable to escape the divine judgment that has ensnared them. It emphasizes the overwhelming and inescapable nature of God's "fury" (H2534, *chêmâh*) and "rebuke" (H1606, *gᵉʻârâh*), from which no creature, however mighty, can escape when caught.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 51:20, with its stark depiction of God's people "fainted" and "full of the fury of the LORD," powerfully sets the stage for the ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment. This verse highlights humanity's utter inability to withstand or escape divine judgment for sin, underscoring the desperate need for a perfect substitute. The "fury" and "rebuke" of God, which overwhelmed Israel in their disobedience, find their ultimate and redemptive satisfaction not in the destruction of His people, but in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the one who, as the true Lamb of God, willingly entered the "net" of God's wrath, bearing the full weight of the "cup of trembling" on the cross (cf. [Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - The Suffering Servant Bears Our Sins")). While Israel lay prostrate under judgment, Jesus, though innocent, was "made to be sin for us" (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), becoming a curse for us to redeem us from the curse of the law (cf. [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). His suffering and death, a voluntary act of substitution, absorbed the very "fury" and "rebuke" that afflicted God's people, thereby setting them free from the "net" of sin and judgment. Through Christ, those who were once helpless under God's wrath are now offered peace, reconciliation, and the promise of eternal life, demonstrating that God's ultimate purpose is not condemnation but glorious redemption through His Son (cf. [Romans 5:8-9](/romans/5-8-9 "Romans 5:8-9 - God's Love in Christ's Death")).

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

Lamentations 2:11

Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city.

Lamentations 2:12

They say to their mothers, Where [is] corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers' bosom.

Jeremiah 14:16

And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.

Revelation 14:10

The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Isaiah 5:25

Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases [were] torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

Isaiah 8:21

And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.

Isaiah 51:17

¶ Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, [and] wrung [them] out.