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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 3:4 "I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/3-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/23_Isa_03_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 3:4 - A Judgment Against Judah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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children will rule over them.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I will make boys their leaders, and toddlers their rulers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And I will give children <i>to be</i> their princes, and babes shall rule over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“I will give children <i>to be</i> their princes, And babes shall rule over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And I will make <i>mere</i> boys their leaders, And mischievous <i>children</i> will rule over them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And I will make mere lads their princes, And capricious children will rule over them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And I will make mere lads their princes And capricious children will rule over them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And I will make young men their princes, And capricious children will rule over them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And I will make <i>mere</i> boys their princes, And capricious (impulsive, unpredictable) children will rule over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I will make youths their leaders, and unstable rulers will govern them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will make youths their leaders, and the unstable will govern them.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />He will let children and babies become your rulers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"I will make boys their leaders. Children will govern them."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The LORD will let the people be governed by immature boys. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"I will make youths their princes, and infants will rule over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The LORD says, "I will make youths their officials; malicious young men will rule over them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And I will make youths to be their leaders, and capricious children shall rule over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I will give boys to be their princes, and children shall rule over them. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And I have made youths their heads, "" And sucklings rule over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And I have made youths their heads, And sucklings rule over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And I gave boys their chiefs, and the petulant shall rule over them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And I will give children to be their princes, and the effeminate shall rule over them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And I will provide children as their leaders, and the effeminate will rule over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I will place boys as their princes; the fickle will govern them, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And I will make boys their princes, and babes shall rule over them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And I will appoint young men to be their princes, and mockers shall rule over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And I shall raise up young men as their Princes, and mockers shall have dominion over them<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And I will give children to be their princes, And babes shall rule over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And I will make youths their princes, and mockers shall have dominion over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/3-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=586" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/3.htm">A Judgment Against Judah</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>the commander of fifty and the dignitary, the counselor, the cunning magician, and the clever enchanter. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: wə·nā·ṯat·tî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">“I will make</a> <a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: nə·‘ā·rîm (N-mp) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">mere lads</a> <a href="/hebrew/8269.htm" title="8269: śā·rê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince. From sarar; a head person.">their leaders,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8586.htm" title="8586: wə·ṯa·‘ă·lū·lîm (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- Wantonness, caprice. From alal; caprice, i.e. Vexation; concretely a tyrant.">and children</a> <a href="/hebrew/4910.htm" title="4910: yim·šə·lū- (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To rule, have dominion, reign. A primitive root; to rule.">will rule</a> <a href="/hebrew/ḇām (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">over them.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:16</a></span><br />Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-7.htm">1 Kings 3:7</a></span><br />And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-1.htm">2 Chronicles 36:1-2</a></span><br />Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and made him king in Jerusalem in place of his father. / Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/11-21.htm">2 Kings 11:21</a></span><br />Joash was seven years old when he became king.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/13-11.htm">Hosea 13:11</a></span><br />So in My anger I gave you a king, and in My wrath I took him away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5-6</a></span><br />“Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.” / But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/8-11.htm">1 Samuel 8:11-12</a></span><br />He said, “This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to serve his own chariots and horses, and to run in front of his chariots. / He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/12-8.htm">1 Kings 12:8-10</a></span><br />But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him. / He asked them, “What message do you advise that we send back to these people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?” / The young men who had grown up with him replied, “This is how you should answer these people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you must make it lighter.’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/30-21.htm">Jeremiah 30:21</a></span><br />Their leader will be one of their own, and their ruler will arise from their midst. And I will bring him near, and he will approach Me, for who would dare on his own to approach Me?” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-16.htm">Proverbs 28:16</a></span><br />A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-3.htm">Matthew 18:3</a></span><br />“Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-20.htm">1 Corinthians 14:20</a></span><br />Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25</a></span><br />At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-21.htm">Luke 10:21</a></span><br />At that time Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-1.htm">1 Corinthians 3:1-2</a></span><br />Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ. / I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.</p><p class="hdg">children</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/3-7.htm">1 Kings 3:7-9</a></b></br> And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I <i>am but</i> a little child: I know not <i>how</i> to go out or come in… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/33-1.htm">2 Chronicles 33:1</a></b></br> Manasseh <i>was</i> twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/34-1.htm">2 Chronicles 34:1</a></b></br> Josiah <i>was</i> eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/109-6.htm">Appoint</a> <a href="/psalms/17-14.htm">Babes</a> <a href="/job/19-18.htm">Boys</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm">Chiefs</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-6.htm">Children</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-15.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-16.htm">Govern</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-2.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-8.htm">Lads</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-19.htm">Mere</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-8.htm">Officials</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-13.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-19.htm">Rule</a> <a href="/psalms/137-9.htm">Sucklings</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-7.htm">Youths</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/3-7.htm">Appoint</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-16.htm">Babes</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-13.htm">Boys</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-13.htm">Chiefs</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-12.htm">Children</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-11.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-21.htm">Govern</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-14.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/daniel/1-13.htm">Lads</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-5.htm">Mere</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-11.htm">Officials</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-25.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-14.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-6.htm">Rule</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-12.htm">Sucklings</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-12.htm">Youths</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/3-1.htm">The great calamities which come by sin</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/3-10.htm">The different rewards of the righteous and wicked</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/3-12.htm">The oppression and covetousness of the rulers</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/3-16.htm">The judgments which shall be for the pride of the women</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/3-25.htm">The general desolation</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>I will make mere lads their leaders</b><br>This phrase indicates a reversal of the expected social order, where experienced and wise leaders are replaced by immature and inexperienced individuals. In the historical context of ancient Israel, leadership was typically held by elders who were respected for their wisdom and experience. The use of "mere lads" suggests a judgment from God, highlighting a time of crisis and instability. This can be seen as a fulfillment of the covenant curses outlined in <a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28</a>, where disobedience to God leads to societal chaos. Theologically, it reflects the consequences of turning away from divine guidance, leading to a lack of competent leadership.<p><b>and children will rule over them</b><br>The imagery of children ruling further emphasizes the theme of disorder and the breakdown of societal norms. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, rulership by children would be seen as a sign of weakness and vulnerability, as children lack the maturity and experience necessary for governance. This can be connected to the broader biblical narrative where God allows the natural consequences of sin to unfold, as seen in the book of Judges where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (<a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a>). Theologically, it serves as a warning of the dangers of rejecting God's authority, leading to a leadership vacuum filled by those unfit to lead. This can also be seen as a type of Christ, contrasting the ultimate leadership of Jesus, who, though coming as a child, embodies perfect wisdom and authority.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah's ministry spanned the reigns of several kings of Judah. He is known for his prophecies concerning both judgment and redemption.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, which is the primary audience of Isaiah's prophecies. During Isaiah's time, Judah faced both internal corruption and external threats.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_judgment.htm">God's Judgment</a></b><br>The context of <a href="/bsb/isaiah/3.htm">Isaiah 3</a> is a pronouncement of judgment upon Judah for their sins, including social injustice and idolatry.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/l/lads_and_children.htm">Lads and Children</a></b><br>Symbolic of inexperienced and immature leadership, representing a reversal of the expected order and a sign of divine judgment.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sinful_leadership.htm">The Consequences of Sinful Leadership</a></b><br><a href="/isaiah/3-4.htm">Isaiah 3:4</a> illustrates the chaos and disorder that result from sin, particularly when leaders lack wisdom and maturity. This serves as a warning to seek godly and wise leadership in all areas of life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_godly_wisdom.htm">The Importance of Godly Wisdom</a></b><br>The passage underscores the need for leaders to seek wisdom from God, as Solomon did. In our personal lives, we should also seek divine guidance in our decisions and leadership roles.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Even when leadership fails, believers can trust in God's ultimate control and justice. This encourages us to remain faithful and prayerful, trusting that God will work through even difficult circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_humility_in_leadership.htm">The Role of Humility in Leadership</a></b><br>While <a href="/isaiah/3-4.htm">Isaiah 3:4</a> warns against immature leadership, it also indirectly points to the value of humility. True leadership involves recognizing one's limitations and relying on God's strength and wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/isaiah_3_4__literal_or_hyperbole.htm">Isaiah 3:4: Does the portrayal of children ruling literally describe historical reality, or is it hyperbole? If literal, where is the historical record supporting this event? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/isaiah_3_12__why_blame_women_children.htm">Isaiah 3:12: Why does this passage blame women and children for societal downfall, and how does that align with justice and fairness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_isaiah_49_23_historical_or_metaphorical.htm">Isaiah 49:23 envisions kings bowing to Israel--can this be historically validated or is it purely metaphorical myth?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_separate_if_some_converted.htm">Ezra 10:44 - How can a just God require separating from wives and children if some may have converted to the faith?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">I will give children to be their princes.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">youths. </span>The words may point obliquely to Ahaz, who had ascended the throne at the age of twenty (<a href="/2_chronicles/28-1.htm" title="Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father:">2Chronicles 28:1</a>). Manasseh was but twelve when he became king; Josiah but eight (<a href="/2_chronicles/33-1.htm" title="Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:">2Chronicles 33:1</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/34-1.htm" title="Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.">2Chronicles 34:1</a>). In an Eastern monarchy the rule of a young king, rash and without experience, guided by counsellors like himself, was naturally regarded as the greatest of evils, and the history of Rehoboam had impressed this truth on the mind of every Israelite. (Comp. <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm" title="Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!">Ecclesiastes 10:16</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I will give children</span> <span class="cmt_word">to be their princes</span>; rather, <span class="accented">youths</span> than "children." The extreme youth of the later kings of Judah at the date of their accession is very remarkable. After Hezekiah, only one was as much as twenty-five years old when he came to the throne. Jehoahaz was twenty-three (<a href="/2_kings/23-31.htm">2 Kings 23:31</a>); Amon, twenty-two (<a href="/2_kings/21-19.htm">2 Kings 21:19</a>); Zedekiah twenty-one (<a href="/2_kings/24-18.htm">2 Kings 24:18</a>); Jehoiachin, eighteen (<a href="/2_kings/24-8.htm">2 Kings 24:8</a>); Manasseh, twelve (<a href="/2_kings/21-1.htm">2 Kings 21:1</a>); and Josiah eight (<a href="/2_kings/22-1.htm">2 Kings 22:1</a>). Thus this prophecy was fulfilled to the letter. <span class="cmt_word">And babes shall rule over them</span>; literally, <span class="accented">puerilities shall rule over them</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> the youths shall behave in a childish way. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/3-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“I will make</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנָתַתִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nā·ṯat·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">mere lads</span><br /><span class="heb">נְעָרִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(nə·‘ā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> </span><span class="str2">A boy, lad, youth, retainer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their leaders,</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׂרֵיהֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(śā·rê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8269.htm">Strong's 8269: </a> </span><span class="str2">Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and children</span><br /><span class="heb">וְתַעֲלוּלִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ṯa·‘ă·lū·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8586.htm">Strong's 8586: </a> </span><span class="str2">Caprice, vexation, a tyrant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will rule</span><br /><span class="heb">יִמְשְׁלוּ־</span> <span class="translit">(yim·šə·lū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4910.htm">Strong's 4910: </a> </span><span class="str2">To rule, have dominion, reign</span><br /><br /><span class="word">over them.”</span><br /><span class="heb">בָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḇām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/3-4.htm">Isaiah 3:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/3-4.htm">Isaiah 3:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/3-4.htm">Isaiah 3:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/3-4.htm">Isaiah 3:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/3-4.htm">Isaiah 3:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/3-4.htm">Isaiah 3:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/3-4.htm">Isaiah 3:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/3-4.htm">Isaiah 3:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/3-4.htm">Isaiah 3:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/3-4.htm">Isaiah 3:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/3-4.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 3:4 I will give boys to be their (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/3-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 3:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 3:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/3-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 3:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 3:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>