Isaiah 22:3
All thy rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers: all that are found in thee are bound together, which have fled from far.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
קְצִינַ֥יִךְ
All thy rulers
H7101
קְצִינַ֥יִךְ
All thy rulers
Strong's:
H7101
Word #:
2 of 12
a magistrate (as deciding) or other leader
נָֽדְדוּ
are fled
H5074
נָֽדְדוּ
are fled
Strong's:
H5074
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, to wave to and fro (rarely to flap up and down); figuratively, to rove, flee, or (causatively) to drive away
מִקֶּ֣שֶׁת
by the archers
H7198
מִקֶּ֣שֶׁת
by the archers
Strong's:
H7198
Word #:
5 of 12
a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
אֻסְּר֣וּ
in thee are bound
H631
אֻסְּר֣וּ
in thee are bound
Strong's:
H631
Word #:
6 of 12
to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נִמְצָאַ֙יִךְ֙
all that are found
H4672
נִמְצָאַ֙יִךְ֙
all that are found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
אֻסְּר֣וּ
in thee are bound
H631
אֻסְּר֣וּ
in thee are bound
Strong's:
H631
Word #:
9 of 12
to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle
Historical Context
Isaiah 22 is the "Valley of Vision" oracle, likely referring to Jerusalem's Hinnom or Kidron valley. The historical setting is debated—possibly Sennacherib's 701 BC siege (when Hezekiah's officials negotiated), or prophetically the Babylonian siege of 586 BC (when Zedekiah and officials fled, 2 Kings 25:4-5). The chapter condemns Jerusalem's leaders for trusting engineering projects (water systems, fortifications) instead of repentance when threatened.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the failure of Jerusalem's leaders warn against trusting human preparedness over dependence on God?
- What modern forms of 'fleeing' characterize leadership that appears strong but lacks spiritual foundation?
- How does the image of being 'bound together' illustrate the collective consequences of faithless leadership?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
All thy rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers—Jerusalem's leadership has collapsed in cowardice. The Hebrew קָצִין (qatsin, rulers/commanders) fled instead of defending the city. Bound by the archers (מִקֶּשֶׁת אֻסָּרוּ, miqqeshet usaru) likely means captured without archery (fled before fighting), emphasizing their disgraceful surrender without resistance.
All that are found in thee are bound together—mass captivity follows failed leadership. The repetition of "all" (כֹּל, kol) stresses totality: every leader, every person found. Which have fled from far suggests even those who tried escaping to distant places were caught and bound. This oracle condemns Jerusalem's leaders who trusted military preparedness (vv.8-11) but fled when crisis came, proving that fortifications without faith are futile.