Isaiah 3:8
For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כָשְׁלָה֙
is ruined
H3782
כָשְׁלָה֙
is ruined
Strong's:
H3782
Word #:
2 of 13
to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
For Jerusalem
H3389
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
For Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
3 of 13
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וִיהוּדָ֖ה
and Judah
H3063
וִיהוּדָ֖ה
and Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
4 of 13
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
נָפָ֑ל
is fallen
H5307
נָפָ֑ל
is fallen
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
5 of 13
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לְשׁוֹנָ֤ם
because their tongue
H3956
לְשׁוֹנָ֤ם
because their tongue
Strong's:
H3956
Word #:
7 of 13
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
יְהוָ֔ה
are against the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
are against the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לַמְר֖וֹת
to provoke
H4784
לַמְר֖וֹת
to provoke
Strong's:
H4784
Word #:
11 of 13
to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)
Historical Context
Despite Jerusalem housing God's temple (His dwelling place), the people practiced idolatry and injustice. This brazenly defiant sin in God's presence necessitated severe judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you maintain consciousness of God's presence throughout your daily activities?
- How does awareness that God sees everything affect your secret thoughts and actions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Isaiah identifies the root cause of judgment: Jerusalem's stumbling and Judah's falling result from their speech and actions being 'against the LORD.' The Hebrew 'lamar' (rebel against) indicates active defiance. Their conduct directly 'provokes the eyes of His glory,' meaning God's manifest presence witnesses their rebellion. Deliberately sinning before God's watchful eyes compounds guilt.