King James Version

What Does Isaiah 10:3 Mean?

Isaiah 10:3 in the King James Version says “And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for ...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?”

Isaiah 10:3 · KJV

Context

1

Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; that write: or, to the writers that write grievousness

2

To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!

3

And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?

4

Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

5

O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. O: or, Woe to the Assyrian: Heb. Asshur and: or, though

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Rhetorical questions expose the foolishness of the unjust. 'What will ye do in the day of visitation?' asks how they'll respond when judgment comes. 'In the desolation which shall come from far' references the Assyrian invasion. 'To whom will ye flee for help?' and 'where will ye leave your glory?' highlight the futility of trusting in wealth and power when God judges. The questions imply obvious answers: nowhere to run, no help available, glory lost. This demonstrates sin's shortsightedness—it ignores future judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Fulfilled when Assyria invaded (722 BC for Israel, 701 BC for Judah). The wealthy and powerful who had accumulated unjust gain found it all worthless when armies came. They couldn't bribe Assyrian soldiers or flee to safety. Their 'glory' (wealth, status, power) was plundered or left behind. The 'visitation from far' was Assyria, God's instrument coming from Mesopotamia to execute judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the certainty of future judgment expose the folly of present injustice and greed?
  2. What false securities do we tend to trust in that will prove worthless on judgment day?
  3. How should awareness of coming judgment shape our present ethical decisions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וּמַֽה1 of 14
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תַּעֲשׂוּ֙2 of 14

“And what will ye do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לְי֣וֹם3 of 14

“in the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

פְּקֻדָּ֔ה4 of 14

“of visitation”

H6486

visitation (in many senses, chiefly official)

וּלְשׁוֹאָ֖ה5 of 14

“and in the desolation”

H7722

a tempest; by implication, devastation

מִמֶּרְחָ֣ק6 of 14

“from far”

H4801

remoteness, i.e., (concretely) a distant place; often (adverbially) from afar

תָּב֑וֹא7 of 14

“which shall come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עַל8 of 14
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִי֙9 of 14
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

תָּנ֣וּסוּ10 of 14

“to whom will ye flee”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

לְעֶזְרָ֔ה11 of 14

“for help”

H5833

aid

וְאָ֥נָה12 of 14
H575

where?; hence, whither?, when?; also hither and thither

תַעַזְב֖וּ13 of 14

“and where will ye leave”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

כְּבוֹדְכֶֽם׃14 of 14

“your glory”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 10:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 10:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hosea 9:7Luke 19:44Job 31:14Isaiah 5:26Isaiah 20:61 Peter 2:12

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