Isaiah 3:5

Isaiah 3:5 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor; the young will rise up against the old, and the base against the honorable.

King James Version KJV

And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.

American Standard Version ASV

And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbor: the child shall behave himself proudly against the old man, and the base against the honorable.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And the people will be crushed, every one by his neighbour; the young will be full of pride against the old, and those of low position will be lifted up against the noble.

Free Bible Version FBV

People will mistreat one another, person against person, neighbor against neighbor; the young will assault the old, and the dregs of society will attack those who are reputable.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

The people shalbe oppressed one of another, and euery one by his neighbour: the children shall presume against the ancient, and the vile against the honourable.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And the people hath exacted — man upon man, Even a man on his neighbour, Enlarge themselves do the youths against the aged, And the lightly esteemed against the honoured.

World English Bible WEB

The people will be oppressed, everyone by another, and everyone by his neighbor. The child will behave himself proudly against the old man, and the wicked against the honorable.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbor: the child shall behave himself proudly against the elder, and the base against the honorable.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And the people shall rush one upon another, and every man against his neighbour: the child shall make it tumult against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.

Translation for Translators T4T

People will treat each other cruelly: people will fight against their neighbors. Young people will insult older people, and vulgar/dishonorable people will sneer at people who should be honored.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights

God & Jesus

Holy Spirit

Divine Actions

Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 3:5

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Isaiah 3:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/נִגַּ֣שׂ הָ/עָ֔ם אִ֥ישׁ בְּ/אִ֖ישׁ וְ/אִ֣ישׁ בְּ/רֵעֵ֑/הוּ יִרְהֲב֗וּ הַ/נַּ֨עַר֙ בַּ/זָּקֵ֔ן וְ/הַ/נִּקְלֶ֖ה בַּ/נִּכְבָּֽד

וְ/נִגַּ֣שׂ nâgas H5065 to oppress Conj | V-Niphal-3ms

הָ/עָ֔ם ʻam H5971 Amaw Art | N-ms

אִ֥ישׁ ʼîysh H376 man N-ms

בְּ/אִ֖ישׁ ʼîysh H376 man Prep | N-ms

וְ/אִ֣ישׁ ʼîysh H376 man Conj | N-ms

בְּ/רֵעֵ֑/הוּ rêaʻ H7453 neighbor Prep | N-ms | Suff

יִרְהֲב֗וּ râhab H7292 to be assertive V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

הַ/נַּ֨עַר֙ naʻar H5288 youth Art | N-ms

בַּ/זָּקֵ֔ן zâqên H2205 old Prep | Adj

וְ/הַ/נִּקְלֶ֖ה qâlâh H7034 to dishonor Conj | Art | V-Niphal

בַּ/נִּכְבָּֽד kâbad H3513 to honor Prep | V-Niphal-Inf-c

Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 3:5

וְ/נִגַּ֣שׂ nâgas H5065 "to oppress" Conj | V-Niphal-3ms

To oppress or drive someone, like a taskmaster, and can also mean to exact or harass, as in Exodus 3:7.

Definition: 1) to press, drive, oppress, exact, exert demanding pressure 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to press, drive 1a2) to exact 1a3) driver, taskmaster, ruler, oppressor, tyrant, lord, exactor of tribute (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be hard pressed

Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: distress, driver, exact(-or), oppress(-or), [idiom] raiser of taxes, taskmaster. See also: Exodus 3:7; Job 39:7; Isaiah 3:5.

הָ/עָ֔ם ʻam H5971 "Amaw" Art | N-ms

A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.

Definition: This name means nation, people

Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.

אִ֥ישׁ ʼîysh H376 "man" N-ms

The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.

Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)

Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.

בְּ/אִ֖ישׁ ʼîysh H376 "man" Prep | N-ms

וְ/אִ֣ישׁ ʼîysh H376 "man" Conj | N-ms

בְּ/רֵעֵ֑/הוּ rêaʻ H7453 "neighbor" Prep | N-ms | Suff

A neighbor or friend is what this word means, describing someone close to you. It can also refer to a companion, fellow citizen, or another person, and is often translated as brother or friend.

Definition: 1) friend, companion, fellow, another person 1a) friend, intimate 1b) fellow, fellow-citizen, another person (weaker sense) 1c) other, another (reciprocal phrase)

Usage: Occurs in 173 OT verses. KJV: brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other. See also: Genesis 11:3; Job 42:7; Psalms 12:3.

יִרְהֲב֗וּ râhab H7292 "to be assertive" V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

This Hebrew word means to be assertive or act proudly, like in Psalm 138:6 where God resists the proud. It involves urging someone severely or acting insolently. The prophet Isaiah used it to describe God's power.

Definition: 1) to behave proudly, act stormily or boisterously or arrogantly 1a) (Qal) to act insolently, storm against, beset, importune 1b) (Hiphil) to disturb, alarm, awe, confuse, make bold or proud

Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: overcome, behave self proudly, make sure, strengthen. See also: Psalms 138:3; Song of Solomon 6:5; Proverbs 6:3.

הַ/נַּ֨עַר֙ naʻar H5288 "youth" Art | N-ms

In the original Hebrew, this word means a young person, either a boy or a girl, from infancy to adolescence. It is used to describe the servants and attendants who worked for kings and other important people in the Old Testament, like King David's servants.

Definition: 1) a boy, lad, servant, youth, retainer 1a) boy, lad, youth 1b) servant, retainer

Usage: Occurs in 221 OT verses. KJV: babe, boy, child, damsel (from the margin), lad, servant, young (man). See also: Genesis 14:24; 1 Samuel 25:5; Psalms 37:25.

בַּ/זָּקֵ֔ן zâqên H2205 "old" Prep | Adj

This Hebrew word means old or elderly, as in the case of the elderly men who appeared to Abraham in Genesis 18:11. It can also refer to those in positions of authority, like the elders who helped Moses in Exodus 24:1. The term is used to describe respect and leadership.

Definition: : old 1) old 1a) old (of humans) 1b) elder (of those having authority) Also means: za.qen (זָקֵן ": elder" H2205)

Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man, men and...women), senator. See also: Genesis 18:11; 1 Samuel 28:14; Psalms 105:22.

וְ/הַ/נִּקְלֶ֖ה qâlâh H7034 "to dishonor" Conj | Art | V-Niphal

It means to dishonor or treat with contempt, like the way David felt when he was despised by his brothers in 1 Samuel 17:28 or how God feels when people disobey him in Malachi 1:6.

Definition: 1) to disgrace, dishonour, be lightly esteemed, be dishonoured, be despised 1a) (Niphal) to be dishonoured, be despised, be lightly esteemed 1b) (Hiphil) to treat with contempt, dishonour, treat shamefully

Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: base, contemn, despise, lightly esteem, set light, seem vile. See also: Deuteronomy 25:3; Proverbs 12:9; Isaiah 3:5.

בַּ/נִּכְבָּֽד kâbad H3513 "to honor" Prep | V-Niphal-Inf-c

This word can mean to honor or make something weighty, like when God is glorified in Psalm 138, or to be heavy with burdens, as the Israelites were in Exodus 18.

Definition: : honour/glory 1) to be heavy, be weighty, be grievous, be hard, be rich, be honourable, be glorious, be burdensome, be honoured 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be heavy 1a2) to be heavy, be insensible, be dull 1a3) to be honoured 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made heavy, be honoured, enjoy honour, be made abundant 1b2) to get oneself glory or honour, gain glory 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to make heavy, make dull, make insensible 1c2) to make honourable, honour, glorify 1d) (Pual) to be made honourable, be honoured 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to make heavy 1e2) to make heavy, make dull, make unresponsive 1e3) to cause to be honoured 1f) (Hithpael) 1f1) to make oneself heavy, make oneself dense, make oneself numerous 1f2) to honour oneself

Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: abounding with, more grievously afflict, boast, be chargeable, [idiom] be dim, glorify, be (make) glorious (things), glory, (very) great, be grievous, harden, be (make) heavy, be heavier, lay heavily, (bring to, come to, do, get, be had in) honour (self), (be) honourable (man), lade, [idiom] more be laid, make self many, nobles, prevail, promote (to honour), be rich, be (go) sore, stop. See also: Genesis 13:2; Job 6:3; Psalms 15:4.

Study Notes — Isaiah 3:5

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Isaiah 3:5 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 3:5
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 3:5
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 3:5
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 3:5
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 3:5
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 3:5
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 3:5
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 3:5
Sermons on Isaiah 3:5

Context — Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah

3the commander of fifty and the dignitary, the counselor, the cunning magician, and the clever enchanter. 4“I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.”

5The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor; the young will rise up against the old, and the base against the honorable.

6A man will seize his brother within his father’s house: “You have a cloak—you be our leader! Take charge of this heap of rubble.” 7On that day he will cry aloud: “I am not a healer. I have no food or clothing in my house. Do not make me leader of the people!”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Jeremiah 9:3–8	“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD. “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity. You dwell in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the LORD. Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do because of the daughter of My people? Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him.
2	Malachi 3:5	“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.
3	Matthew 27:28–30	They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. And they twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on His head. They put a staff in His right hand and knelt down before Him to mock Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spit on Him and took the staff and struck Him on the head repeatedly.
4	Micah 3:1–3	Then I said: “Hear now, O leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel. Should you not know justice? You hate good and love evil. You tear the skin from my people and strip the flesh from their bones. You eat the flesh of my people after stripping off their skin and breaking their bones. You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot, like meat in a cauldron.”
5	Job 30:1–12	“But now they mock me, men younger than I am, whose fathers I would have refused to entrust with my sheep dogs. What use to me was the strength of their hands, since their vigor had left them? Gaunt from poverty and hunger, they gnawed the dry land, and the desolate wasteland by night. They plucked mallow among the shrubs, and the roots of the broom tree were their food. They were banished from among men, shouted down like thieves, so that they lived on the slopes of the wadis, among the rocks and in holes in the ground. They cried out among the shrubs and huddled beneath the nettles. A senseless and nameless brood, they were driven off the land. And now they mock me in song; I have become a byword among them. They abhor me and keep far from me; they do not hesitate to spit in my face. Because God has unstrung my bow and afflicted me, they have cast off restraint in my presence. The rabble arises at my right; they lay snares for my feet and build siege ramps against me.
6	Zechariah 7:9–11	“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing.
7	Jeremiah 22:17	“But your eyes and heart are set on nothing except your own dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, on practicing extortion and oppression.”
8	Amos 4:1	Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, who say to your husbands, “Bring us more to drink.”
9	Matthew 26:67	Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him
10	James 2:6	But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?

Isaiah 3:5 Summary

Isaiah 3:5 describes a situation where people will turn against each other, with the young rising up against the old and the base against the honorable. This is a picture of a society that has broken down and is in chaos, where there is no respect for authority or tradition. As Christians, we are called to respect those in authority over us, as taught in Romans 13:1-2, and to work towards building harmonious communities, as encouraged in Ephesians 5:21. By following God's principles and respecting authority, we can help to create a more peaceful and orderly society, as seen in Psalm 119:165.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for the young to rise up against the old in Isaiah 3:5?

This phrase suggests a reversal of the natural order, where those who are younger and less experienced will rebel against their elders and those in positions of authority, as seen in the book of Lamentations 5:12-13, where the young men are forced to grind at the mill, and the boys stumble under the wood.

How does this verse relate to the idea of respect for authority?

Isaiah 3:5 indicates a breakdown in respect for authority, where the base or common people will rise up against the honorable, highlighting the importance of respecting those in positions of authority, as taught in Romans 13:1-2 and Hebrews 13:17.

Is this verse describing a specific historical event or a broader societal trend?

While Isaiah 3:5 is addressing the situation in Judah at the time, the principles described here can be applied to any society that rejects God's order and authority, as seen in Psalm 11:3, which asks what can the righteous do if the foundations are destroyed.

How can we apply the lessons of Isaiah 3:5 to our own lives and communities?

By recognizing the importance of respecting authority and maintaining social order, as well as being mindful of the dangers of rebellion and lawlessness, we can work towards building stronger, more harmonious communities, as encouraged in Ephesians 5:21 and 1 Peter 2:13-14.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways in which I see the principles of Isaiah 3:5 playing out in my own community or society, and how can I respond in a way that honors God?
How can I demonstrate respect for authority in my own life, whether it's towards parents, teachers, or government leaders, and what does the Bible teach about this in Matthew 22:21 and Romans 13:1-7?
In what ways can I be a positive influence and promote social order and harmony in my own sphere of influence, as encouraged in Proverbs 11:10-11 and 2 Corinthians 5:20?
What are some potential consequences of a society that rejects God's order and authority, and how can we work to prevent these outcomes, as warned in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and Jude 1:7?
How can I balance the need to respect authority with the need to stand up against injustice or wrongdoing, as seen in the examples of Daniel 3:16-18 and Acts 5:27-32?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 3:5

And the people shall be oppressed, everyone by another, and everyone by his neighbour,.... There being no governors, or such as were unfit for government, no decorum was kept and observed, but a mere

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 3:5

And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 3:5

The people shall be oppressed, by the command or connivance of such childish rulers. The child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable; foolish and unworthy men shall by wicked arts gain the favour and abuse the power of the prince, and thereby behave themselves insolently towards their betters.

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 3:5

Isaiah 3:5 And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.Ver. 5. And the people shall be oppressed, one by another.] The greater devouring the lesser, as fishes do. How should it be otherwise, when there is either no government, or not that which is good; but all things turned, as here, topsy turvy, without any respect to age, order, or dignity, and “ Scinditur ineertum studia in contraria vulgus. ” - Virg. This dissension is the mother of dissolution, saith Nazianzen. This dissipation and perversion of order and manners is the forerunner of utter desolation and subversion.

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 3:5

(5) The people shall be oppressed . . .—The words paint the worst form of the decadence of an Eastern kingdom. All is chaotic and anarchic; a fierce struggle for existence; the established order of society subverted; the experience of age derided by the petulance of youth. The picture of the corruption of a monarchy is as vivid and complete in its way as that which Thucydides (3:82-84) draws of the corruption of a democracy. It might seem to have been drawn from the Turkey or the Egypt of our own time.

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 3:5

5. A general description of the state of anarchy; “the bonds of discipline and order are loosed, all authority disappears” (Dillmann).

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 3:5

And the people shall be oppressed - This describes the state of anarchy and confusion which would exist under the reign of children and babes Isaiah 3:4, when all law would be powerless, and all

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 3:5

1-7. Cease ye from man is now the order. For behold — Attention is challenged. The Lord — (Ha-Adon.) “The Lord” as sovereign.

Sermons on Isaiah 3:5

	Sermon	Description
	Mr. Valiant-for-Truth by Ernest C. Reisinger	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of understanding and embracing the doctrines of grace. He addresses young preachers and attendees of a conference who may encou
	Knowing and Doing Good by Thomas Watson	Thomas Watson preaches about the importance of knowing and doing good, emphasizing that sinning knowingly and presumptuously is a heinous offense before God. He explains that to si
	Epistle 400 by George Fox	George Fox preaches about the importance of dwelling in God's love, patience, and truth, emphasizing the eternal nature of God's Word and the need to abide in it. He encourages liv
	Epistle 227 by George Fox	George Fox encourages believers to rejoice and sing, emphasizing that despite the darkness surrounding them, the Lord is actively working and truth is flourishing. He reminds them
	Epistle 386 by George Fox	George Fox addresses the Monthly Meeting of Charleston, encouraging them to stand faithful in truth and righteousness, bearing fruits of holiness that lead to everlasting life. He
	Epistle 35 by George Fox	George Fox calls upon the prophets of the Lord to stand firm in their calling and not to be discouraged by the world's disdain for prophecy. He emphasizes the importance of remaini
	Epistle 236 by George Fox	George Fox preaches about the enduring power of truth and the sovereignty of God amidst trials and tribulations. He encourages believers to find strength in Christ, the bread of li

← Isaiah 3:4 Isaiah 3:6 →