Isaiah 3:6
When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, saying, Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and let this ruin be under thy hand:
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יִתְפֹּ֨שׂ
shall take hold
H8610
יִתְפֹּ֨שׂ
shall take hold
Strong's:
H8610
Word #:
2 of 15
to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
אִ֤ישׁ
When a man
H376
אִ֤ישׁ
When a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 15
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
בְּאָחִיו֙
of his brother
H251
בְּאָחִיו֙
of his brother
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
4 of 15
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
בֵּ֣ית
of the house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
of the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 15
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אָבִ֔יו
of his father
H1
אָבִ֔יו
of his father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
6 of 15
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
לְכָ֔ה
H1980
לְכָ֔ה
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
8 of 15
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
קָצִ֖ין
be thou our ruler
H7101
קָצִ֖ין
be thou our ruler
Strong's:
H7101
Word #:
9 of 15
a magistrate (as deciding) or other leader
תִּֽהְיֶה
H1961
תִּֽהְיֶה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וְהַמַּכְשֵׁלָ֥ה
and let this ruin
H4384
וְהַמַּכְשֵׁלָ֥ה
and let this ruin
Strong's:
H4384
Word #:
12 of 15
a stumbling-block, but only figuratively (fall, enticement [idol])
Cross References
Isaiah 4:1And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.John 6:15When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
Historical Context
Following Babylonian conquest, Judah's decimated population lacked infrastructure or leadership. The imagery depicts post-exile chaos where survival, not qualification, determined authority.
Questions for Reflection
- What societal 'ruins' result from abandoning God's ordained structures of authority?
- How do we maintain godly order when surrounding culture collapses into chaos?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Social collapse is evident when leadership defaults to anyone with minimal resources—'thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler.' The desperation reflects total breakdown of normal hierarchical structures; mere possession of garments qualifies for leadership. The phrase 'let this ruin be under thy hand' acknowledges societal devastation yet seeks any governance. This illustrates covenant curses' outworking (Deuteronomy 28:43-44) where social order disintegrates, anticipating Jesus' teaching that a house divided cannot stand (Matthew 12:25).