3:1 Yahweh of hosts This title emphasizes God’s military role in light of the siege imagery that follows. Judah fears a siege by Assyria, but they should fear God’s judgment instead. The section of poetry in vv. 1–15 is bracketed by the use of this title for God. See note on 1:9.

The Name Theology of the Old Testament

every source of support In Hebrew, these two words are masculine and feminine forms of the same word. The poetry of Isaiah is rich with Hebrew wordplay and repetition of similar sounds (see note on 5:7). This phrase emphasizes the removal of any kind of support.

bread Under siege, the supply of food and water is of utmost importance; see 2 Kgs 6:24–7:20.

3:2 mighty warrior and man of war The prophet lists 11 leadership roles that cover the traditional areas of influence—political, judicial, religious, and military—to stress that the support being removed is greater than mere food and water. The entire leadership structure of Judah will be forfeited.

3:4 I will make boys their princes When the generation of leaders is removed, only children will be left to fill the traditional male leadership positions. The lack of experienced leaders will lead to chaos and oppression.

3:5 will be oppressed Suggests a return to the anarchy of the days before Israel had a king. See Judg 17:6.

will act arrogantly toward the elder The social patterns of leadership and respect will be overturned.

3:6 You have a cloak The qualifications for leadership are minimal; people without qualifications other than clothing will be designated as leaders.

3:7 I will not be a healer No one wants to be in charge because there is nothing left for a leader to do except tend to the wounded. The refusal also highlights the prophet’s charge of rampant social injustice. Caring for those who could not care for themselves was part of Yahweh’s charge to Israel’s leaders (see Ezek 34:4).

You shall not make me the leader of The strength of his protest suggests a chaotic “everyone-for-themselves” mentality as the fabric of society unravels.

3:8 against Yahweh The people of Judah are openly rebelling against God by word and action (see Psa 73:9–11).

the eyes of his glory Israel had trouble enduring the presence of God, even when they were not under judgment (see Exod 20:18–21; 1 Kgs 8:11).

3:9 Sodom The prophets use Sodom as an example of what God’s judgment looks like. See note on Isa 1:9.

3:11 Woe to the wicked While it may look like the wicked have prospered, God will ultimately save the righteous and punish the wicked (see Eccl 8:12–13).

3:12 children are their oppressors May imply that only women and children will be left to rule (see Isa 3:4 and note). In this time, only men ruled, so the idea of infants and women ruling was insulting.

3:14 the elders of Members of the ruling upper class. God will judge the officials of Judah for their mistreatment of the poor.

the vineyard A metaphor for Israel and Judah. See 5:1–7.

3:16 the daughters of Zion The prophets often use feminine imagery for Israel and Judah—sometimes as a wife breaking the marriage covenant, and sometimes as a daughter disobeying the father. See note on 1:8.

3:17 will make the heads of the daughters of Zion scabby God will take away the physical beauty, clothing, and jewelry that they value most.

foreheads Their exposure would be humiliating—everything would be revealed.

3:18 the anklets The specific list of adornments parallels the list of leaders in Isa 3:2–3. All the material things they placed their hope in would be taken away.

3:26 her gates Now Jerusalem itself is personified as the woman being humiliated.