Isaiah 31:4
For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 32
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כֹ֣ה
H3541
כֹ֣ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 32
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֣ה
For thus hath the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
For thus hath the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 32
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 32
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יֶהְגֶּה֩
roaring
H1897
יֶהְגֶּה֩
roaring
Strong's:
H1897
Word #:
7 of 32
to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder
וְהַכְּפִ֜יר
and the young lion
H3715
וְהַכְּפִ֜יר
and the young lion
Strong's:
H3715
Word #:
9 of 32
a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 32
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
טַרְפּ֗וֹ
on his prey
H2964
טַרְפּ֗וֹ
on his prey
Strong's:
H2964
Word #:
11 of 32
something torn, i.e., a fragment, e.g., a fresh leaf, prey, food
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 32
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִקָּרֵ֤א
is called forth
H7121
יִקָּרֵ֤א
is called forth
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
13 of 32
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
עָלָיו֙
H5921
עָלָיו֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 32
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רֹעִ֔ים
of shepherds
H7462
רֹעִ֔ים
of shepherds
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
16 of 32
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 32
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵחָ֔ת
against him he will not be afraid
H2865
יֵחָ֔ת
against him he will not be afraid
Strong's:
H2865
Word #:
19 of 32
properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear
וּמֵֽהֲמוֹנָ֖ם
himself for the noise
H1995
וּמֵֽהֲמוֹנָ֖ם
himself for the noise
Strong's:
H1995
Word #:
20 of 32
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
21 of 32
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַֽעֲנֶ֑ה
nor abase
H6031
יַֽעֲנֶ֑ה
nor abase
Strong's:
H6031
Word #:
22 of 32
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
כֵּ֗ן
H3651
כֵּ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
23 of 32
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יֵרֵד֙
come down
H3381
יֵרֵד֙
come down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
24 of 32
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
יְהוָ֣ה
For thus hath the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
For thus hath the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
25 of 32
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
26 of 32
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
28 of 32
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַר
for mount
H2022
הַר
for mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
29 of 32
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
צִיּ֖וֹן
Zion
H6726
צִיּ֖וֹן
Zion
Strong's:
H6726
Word #:
30 of 32
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
Cross References
Amos 3:8The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?Hosea 11:10They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.Isaiah 42:13The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.Zechariah 2:5For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.Zechariah 12:8In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.Revelation 5:5And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.Zechariah 14:3Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.Isaiah 10:16Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.Isaiah 12:6Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.Jeremiah 50:44Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the habitation of the strong: but I will make them suddenly run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?
Historical Context
This metaphor describes the 701 BC deliverance when Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem. Despite overwhelming odds, God defended His city (Isaiah 37:36)—185,000 Assyrian soldiers died overnight. Like a lion refusing to surrender prey, Yahweh wouldn't abandon Jerusalem. Revelation 5:5 calls Christ 'the Lion of the tribe of Judah,' connecting this imagery to Messianic deliverance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the lion-and-prey metaphor illustrate God's fierce protection of His own?
- What does it mean that God 'comes down to fight' for His people—His active, warrior-like intervention?
- When have you experienced God's lion-like defense against enemies or circumstances seeking to devour you?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey (כִּי כֹה אָמַר יְהוָה אֵלַי כַּאֲשֶׁר יֶהְגֶּה הָאַרְיֵה וְהַכְּפִיר עַל־טַרְפּוֹ, ki khoh amar YHWH elay ka'asher yehgeh ha'aryeh vehakfir al-tarpo)—like an אַרְיֵה (aryeh, lion) and כְּפִיר (kefir, young lion) הָגָה (hagah, growling, roaring) over טֶרֶף (teref, prey). When a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them (אֲשֶׁר־יִקָּרֵא עָלָיו מְלֹא רֹעִים מִקּוֹלָם לֹא־יֵחָת וּמֵהֲמוֹנָם לֹא יַעֲנֶה, asher-yiqare alaw melo ro'im miqolam lo-yechat umehemonam lo ya'aneh). So shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof (כֵּן יֵרֵד יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת לִצְבֹּא עַל־הַר צִיּוֹן וְעַל־גִּבְעָתָהּ, ken yered YHWH tseva'ot litsvo al-har Tsiyon ve'al-giv'atah).
A stunning reversal: after threatening judgment (vv. 1-3), Isaiah depicts Yahweh as a lion defending His kill—Jerusalem. A lion growling over prey won't be intimidated by shepherds trying to drive it off. Similarly, Yahweh Sabaoth will יָרַד (yarad, come down) to צָבָא (tsava, fight, wage war) for Zion. The same verb 'come down' used of Judah going down to Egypt (v. 1) now describes God descending to battle for His city. The attackers (Assyrians) are mere shepherds; God is the lion, and Jerusalem is His prey—untouchable.