Isaiah 3:3
The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator.
The captain {H8269} of fifty {H2572}, and the honourable {H5375} man {H6440}, and the counsellor {H3289}, and the cunning {H2450} artificer {H2791}, and the eloquent {H995} orator {H3908}.
captains of fifty, men of rank and advisers, skillful magicians and expert enchanters.
the commander of fifty and the dignitary, the counselor, the cunning magician, and the clever enchanter.
the captain of fifty, and the honorable man, and the counsellor, and the expert artificer, and the skilful enchanter.
Cross-References
-
Judges 8:18 (3 votes)
¶ Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men [were they] whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou [art], so [were] they; each one resembled the children of a king. -
Deuteronomy 1:15 (3 votes)
So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes. -
1 Samuel 8:12 (3 votes)
And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and [will set them] to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. -
Exodus 18:21 (3 votes)
Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place [such] over them, [to be] rulers of thousands, [and] rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: -
Exodus 4:10 (2 votes)
¶ And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I [am] not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I [am] slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. -
Exodus 4:14 (2 votes)
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, [Is] not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. -
Exodus 4:16 (2 votes)
And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, [even] he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.
Commentary
Isaiah 3:3 is part of a sobering prophecy delivered by the prophet Isaiah concerning God's impending judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem. This verse specifically lists various categories of influential and essential individuals who will be removed from society, signaling a complete breakdown of order and stability.
Context of Isaiah 3:3
This verse follows a pronouncement of divine judgment in Isaiah 3:1-2, where the Lord God of hosts declares He will take away the "stay and the staff," meaning all forms of support and provision. The removal of these leaders and skilled professionals is a direct consequence of Judah's widespread sin, pride, and oppression, as detailed throughout the chapter. God is dismantling the very fabric of their society, leaving them vulnerable and chaotic. This divine action highlights God's sovereignty over nations and His intolerance for persistent unrighteousness.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights and Roles
The specific titles in Isaiah 3:3 are not random but represent essential functions within any structured society:
Together, these roles signify the removal of all competence and wisdom, leading to the chaotic leadership described in Isaiah 3:4-5, where children and arbitrary rulers will govern.
Practical Application
Isaiah 3:3 serves as a timeless warning. It underscores the importance of:
This passage encourages reflection on the spiritual health of our own communities and the qualities we value in our leaders, knowing that blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.
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.