Isaiah 32:9
Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech.
Original Language Analysis
קֹ֖מְנָה
Rise up
H6965
קֹ֖מְנָה
Rise up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
3 of 9
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
שְׁמַ֣עְנָה
hear
H8085
שְׁמַ֣עְנָה
hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
4 of 9
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
בָּנוֹת֙
daughters
H1323
בָּנוֹת֙
daughters
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
6 of 9
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
בֹּֽטח֔וֹת
ye careless
H982
בֹּֽטח֔וֹת
ye careless
Strong's:
H982
Word #:
7 of 9
properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
Cross References
Isaiah 3:16Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet:Isaiah 28:23Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.Matthew 13:9Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Historical Context
Judah's upper class enjoyed relative prosperity during Isaiah's early ministry. Women of means wore fine clothes, jewelry, perfumes (Isaiah 3:16-24). But Assyrian invasion threatened. Within years, many would lose husbands, sons, homes. Isaiah's warning targeted those most insulated from military concerns—aristocratic women who assumed security would continue. Their complacency proved fatal when Babylon later destroyed Jerusalem (586 BC).
Questions for Reflection
- What complacency or 'ease' in your life might be blinding you to spiritual realities or coming consequences?
- How does material comfort sometimes dull awareness of God's warnings?
- What would it mean for you to 'rise up' from spiritual complacency to attentive obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Rise up, ye women that are at ease (נָשִׁים שַׁאֲנַנּוֹת קֹמְנָה, nashim sha'ananot qomenah)—the imperatives קוּמָה (qumah, rise up) addresses נָשִׁים (nashim, women) who are שַׁאֲנַנּוֹת (sha'ananot, at ease, complacent, secure). Hear my voice, ye careless daughters (בָּנוֹת בֹּטְחוֹת הַאְזֵנָּה אִמְרָתִי, banot botech'ot ha'zenah imrati)—בָּנוֹת (banot, daughters) who are בֹּטְחוֹת (botech'ot, confident, careless), listen. Give ear unto my speech (שְׁמַעְנָה דְּבָרָי, shema'nah devaray).
Isaiah shifts from general principles (vv. 1-8) to specific prophetic warning. The 'women at ease' represents the complacent wealthy class in Jerusalem, living obliviously while judgment looms. The threefold command (rise up, hear, give ear) intensifies urgency. This echoes Amos 6:1—'Woe to them that are at ease in Zion.' Complacency amid impending crisis is spiritual stupor. Jesus warned: 'as the days of Noe were... eating, drinking, marrying... until the flood came' (Matthew 24:37-39). Ease and carelessness blind people to approaching judgment.