Isaiah 5:29
Their roaring shall be like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry it away safe, and none shall deliver it.
Original Language Analysis
כַּלָּבִ֑יא
shall be like a lion
H3833
כַּלָּבִ֑יא
shall be like a lion
Strong's:
H3833
Word #:
3 of 11
a lion (properly, a lioness as the fiercer (although not a roarer;))
כַּכְּפִירִ֤ים
like young lions
H3715
כַּכְּפִירִ֤ים
like young lions
Strong's:
H3715
Word #:
5 of 11
a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane)
וְיֹאחֵ֣ז
and lay hold
H270
וְיֹאחֵ֣ז
and lay hold
Strong's:
H270
Word #:
7 of 11
to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
טֶ֔רֶף
of the prey
H2964
טֶ֔רֶף
of the prey
Strong's:
H2964
Word #:
8 of 11
something torn, i.e., a fragment, e.g., a fresh leaf, prey, food
וְיַפְלִ֖יט
and shall carry it away safe
H6403
וְיַפְלִ֖יט
and shall carry it away safe
Strong's:
H6403
Word #:
9 of 11
to slip out, i.e., escape; causatively, to deliver
וְאֵ֥ין
H369
Cross References
Isaiah 42:22But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.Zechariah 11:3There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.Micah 5:8And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.
Historical Context
Judah's various appeals for deliverance (Egyptian alliance, tribute to Assyria) proved futile. When God determines judgment, no human intervention avails.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's transformation from deliverer to judge demonstrate the seriousness of covenant unfaithfulness?
- What false 'deliverers' do we trust in when experiencing divine discipline?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The lion imagery—roaring, seizing prey, carrying away with none to deliver—depicts judgment's terrifying finality. Lions symbolize strength and predatory success; applying this to invading armies shows covenant people becoming prey to former subordinates. The phrase 'none shall deliver' emphasizes abandonment: God, Israel's traditional deliverer, now commissions their destruction. This inverts Exodus deliverance, showing that covenant breaking transforms God from savior to judge.