Isaiah 31:9

Authorized King James Version

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And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.

Original Language Analysis

וְסַלְעוֹ֙ to his strong hold H5553
וְסַלְעוֹ֙ to his strong hold
Strong's: H5553
Word #: 1 of 15
a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)
מִמָּג֣וֹר for fear H4032
מִמָּג֣וֹר for fear
Strong's: H4032
Word #: 2 of 15
a fright (objective or subjective)
יַֽעֲב֔וֹר And he shall pass over H5674
יַֽעֲב֔וֹר And he shall pass over
Strong's: H5674
Word #: 3 of 15
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
וְחַתּ֥וּ shall be afraid H2865
וְחַתּ֥וּ shall be afraid
Strong's: H2865
Word #: 4 of 15
properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear
מִנֵּ֖ס of the ensign H5251
מִנֵּ֖ס of the ensign
Strong's: H5251
Word #: 5 of 15
a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token
שָׂרָ֑יו and his princes H8269
שָׂרָ֑יו and his princes
Strong's: H8269
Word #: 6 of 15
a head person (of any rank or class)
נְאֻם saith H5002
נְאֻם saith
Strong's: H5002
Word #: 7 of 15
an oracle
יְהוָ֗ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֗ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 8 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 9 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
א֥וּר whose fire H217
א֥וּר whose fire
Strong's: H217
Word #: 10 of 15
flame; hence (in the plural) the east (as being the region of light)
לוֹ֙ H0
לוֹ֙
Strong's: H0
Word #: 11 of 15
בְּצִיּ֔וֹן is in Zion H6726
בְּצִיּ֔וֹן is in Zion
Strong's: H6726
Word #: 12 of 15
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
וְתַנּ֥וּר and his furnace H8574
וְתַנּ֥וּר and his furnace
Strong's: H8574
Word #: 13 of 15
a fire-pot
ל֖וֹ H0
ל֖וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 14 of 15
בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ in Jerusalem H3389
בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ in Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 15 of 15
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

Analysis & Commentary

And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear (וְסַלְעוֹ מִמָּגוֹר יַעֲבוֹר, vesal'o mimmagor ya'avor)—he will pass over to his סֶלַע (sela, rock, stronghold) מִן־מָגוֹר (min-magor, from fear, terror). And his princes shall be afraid of the ensign (וְחַתּוּ מִנֵּס שָׂרָיו, vechattu mines saraw)—his שָׂרִים (sarim, princes, commanders) will חָתַת (chatat, be terrified, dismayed) from נֵס (nes, banner, ensign). Saith the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem (נְאֻם־יְהוָה אֲשֶׁר־אוּר לוֹ בְצִיּוֹן וְתַנּוּר לוֹ בִּירוּשָׁלִָם, ne'um-YHWH asher-ur lo veTsiyon vetannur lo viYerushalaim)—Yahweh declares He has אוּר (ur, fire, light) in Zion and תַּנּוּר (tannur, oven, furnace).

Sennacherib's retreat is terror-driven—his stronghold becomes a refuge from overwhelming fear. Even commanders panic at God's נֵס (nes)—possibly the banner of divine judgment or perhaps Jerusalem itself as God's ensign. The concluding phrase is remarkable: Yahweh's אוּר (ur, fire) dwells in Zion. This fire could be refining fire (purifying His people) or consuming fire (judging enemies). The תַּנּוּר (tannur, furnace) suggests God's holy presence that burns away impurity. Hebrews 12:29 echoes: 'For our God is a consuming fire.'

Historical Context

After the angel struck 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, Sennacherib fled to Nineveh (Isaiah 37:37). His retreat was ignominious—the mighty conqueror running in terror. The fire/furnace imagery connects to God's presence: pillar of fire, Sinai's flames, glory filling Temple. God's presence in Zion meant both protection for inhabitants and terror for enemies. The same fire that warms also burns.

Questions for Reflection

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