Isaiah Chapter 3 · Verse 13
The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.
Original Language Analysis
נִצָּ֥ב
standeth up
H5324
נִצָּ֥ב
standeth up
Strong's:
H5324
Word #:
1 of 6
to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)
לָרִ֖יב
to plead
H7378
לָרִ֖יב
to plead
Strong's:
H7378
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
יְהוָ֑ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 6
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְעֹמֵ֖ד
and standeth
H5975
וְעֹמֵ֖ד
and standeth
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
4 of 6
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
Historical Context
Prophetic lawsuit (Hebrew 'rib') was a common literary form where God indicts covenant breakers. This formula appears throughout prophets (Hosea 4:1; Micah 6:2), establishing divine right to judge.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing God as both prosecutor and judge shape our understanding of accountability?
- What comfort or warning does Christ's role as judge provide for believers?
Analysis & Commentary
The courtroom imagery—'the LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge'—depicts God as both prosecutor and judge. The dual role emphasizes that divine justice is comprehensive: God both presents the case against sin and renders verdict. This anticipates the final judgment where Christ judges by the Father's authority (John 5:22, 27). The 'people' (plural 'ammim') facing judgment may indicate nations generally or covenant people specifically, showing none escape divine scrutiny.