Isaiah 3:1

Authorized King James Version

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For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water,

Original Language Analysis

כִּי֩ H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִנֵּ֨ה H2009
הִנֵּ֨ה
Strong's: H2009
Word #: 2 of 16
lo!
הָאָד֜וֹן For behold the Lord H113
הָאָד֜וֹן For behold the Lord
Strong's: H113
Word #: 3 of 16
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
יְהוָ֣ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֗וֹת of hosts H6635
צְבָא֗וֹת of hosts
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 5 of 16
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
מֵסִ֤יר doth take away H5493
מֵסִ֤יר doth take away
Strong's: H5493
Word #: 6 of 16
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
מִירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ from Jerusalem H3389
מִירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ from Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 7 of 16
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וּמִ֣יהוּדָ֔ה and from Judah H3063
וּמִ֣יהוּדָ֔ה and from Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 8 of 16
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
מִשְׁעַן stay H4937
מִשְׁעַן stay
Strong's: H4937
Word #: 9 of 16
a support (concretely), i.e., (figuratively) a protector or sustenance
וּמַשְׁעֵנָ֑ה and the staff H4938
וּמַשְׁעֵנָ֑ה and the staff
Strong's: H4938
Word #: 10 of 16
support (abstractly), i.e., (figuratively) sustenance or (concretely) a walking-stick
וְכֹ֖ל and the whole H3605
וְכֹ֖ל and the whole
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 11 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִשְׁעַן stay H4937
מִשְׁעַן stay
Strong's: H4937
Word #: 12 of 16
a support (concretely), i.e., (figuratively) a protector or sustenance
לֶ֔חֶם of bread H3899
לֶ֔חֶם of bread
Strong's: H3899
Word #: 13 of 16
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
וְכֹ֖ל and the whole H3605
וְכֹ֖ל and the whole
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 14 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִשְׁעַן stay H4937
מִשְׁעַן stay
Strong's: H4937
Word #: 15 of 16
a support (concretely), i.e., (figuratively) a protector or sustenance
מָֽיִם׃ of water H4325
מָֽיִם׃ of water
Strong's: H4325
Word #: 16 of 16
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

Analysis & Commentary

The title 'Lord, the LORD of hosts' combines Adonai (sovereign master) with Yahweh Sabaoth (covenant God of armies), emphasizing both authority and power. God's removal of 'stay and staff' (support structures) represents comprehensive judgment—both bread (physical sustenance) and water (life necessity) will be withdrawn. This divine action demonstrates that human survival depends entirely on God's provision, not human systems.

Historical Context

This prophecy anticipated Babylonian siege and exile when Jerusalem would experience severe famine. The removal of basic provisions fulfilled covenant curses for disobedience (Leviticus 26:26, Deuteronomy 28:48).

Questions for Reflection

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