King James Version

What Does Isaiah 31:4 Mean?

Isaiah 31:4 in the King James Version says “For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shep... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. noise: or, multitude

Isaiah 31:4 · KJV


Context

2

Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity. call: Heb. remove

3

Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.

4

For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. noise: or, multitude

5

As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.

6

Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey (כִּי כֹה אָמַר יְהוָה אֵלַי כַּאֲשֶׁר יֶהְגֶּה הָאַרְיֵה וְהַכְּפִיר עַל־טַרְפּוֹ, ki khoh amar YHWH elay ka'asher yehgeh ha'aryeh vehakfir al-tarpo)—like an אַרְיֵה (aryeh, lion) and כְּפִיר (kefir, young lion) הָגָה (hagah, growling, roaring) over טֶרֶף (teref, prey). When a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them (אֲשֶׁר־יִקָּרֵא עָלָיו מְלֹא רֹעִים מִקּוֹלָם לֹא־יֵחָת וּמֵהֲמוֹנָם לֹא יַעֲנֶה, asher-yiqare alaw melo ro'im miqolam lo-yechat umehemonam lo ya'aneh). So shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof (כֵּן יֵרֵד יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת לִצְבֹּא עַל־הַר צִיּוֹן וְעַל־גִּבְעָתָהּ, ken yered YHWH tseva'ot litsvo al-har Tsiyon ve'al-giv'atah).

A stunning reversal: after threatening judgment (vv. 1-3), Isaiah depicts Yahweh as a lion defending His kill—Jerusalem. A lion growling over prey won't be intimidated by shepherds trying to drive it off. Similarly, Yahweh Sabaoth will יָרַד (yarad, come down) to צָבָא (tsava, fight, wage war) for Zion. The same verb 'come down' used of Judah going down to Egypt (v. 1) now describes God descending to battle for His city. The attackers (Assyrians) are mere shepherds; God is the lion, and Jerusalem is His prey—untouchable.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This metaphor describes the 701 BC deliverance when Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem. Despite overwhelming odds, God defended His city (Isaiah 37:36)—185,000 Assyrian soldiers died overnight. Like a lion refusing to surrender prey, Yahweh wouldn't abandon Jerusalem. Revelation 5:5 calls Christ 'the Lion of the tribe of Judah,' connecting this imagery to Messianic deliverance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the lion-and-prey metaphor illustrate God's fierce protection of His own?
  2. What does it mean that God 'comes down to fight' for His people—His active, warrior-like intervention?
  3. When have you experienced God's lion-like defense against enemies or circumstances seeking to devour you?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
כִּ֣י1 of 32
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כֹ֣ה2 of 32
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָֽמַר3 of 32

spoken

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֣ה4 of 32

For thus hath the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֵלַ֡י5 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר6 of 32
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יֶהְגֶּה֩7 of 32

roaring

H1897

to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder

הָאַרְיֵ֨ה8 of 32

unto me Like as the lion

H738

a lion

וְהַכְּפִ֜יר9 of 32

and the young lion

H3715

a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane)

עַל10 of 32
H5921

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

טַרְפּ֗וֹ11 of 32

on his prey

H2964

something torn, i.e., a fragment, e.g., a fresh leaf, prey, food

אֲשֶׁ֨ר12 of 32
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִקָּרֵ֤א13 of 32

is called forth

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

עָלָיו֙14 of 32
H5921

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

מְלֹ֣א15 of 32

when a multitude

H4393

fulness (literally or figuratively)

רֹעִ֔ים16 of 32

of shepherds

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

מִקּוֹלָם֙17 of 32

of their voice

H6963

a voice or sound

לֹ֣א18 of 32
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יֵחָ֔ת19 of 32

against him he will not be afraid

H2865

properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear

וּמֵֽהֲמוֹנָ֖ם20 of 32

himself for the noise

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

לֹ֣א21 of 32
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַֽעֲנֶ֑ה22 of 32

nor abase

H6031

to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)

כֵּ֗ן23 of 32
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יֵרֵד֙24 of 32

come down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

יְהוָ֣ה25 of 32

For thus hath the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֔וֹת26 of 32

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

לִצְבֹּ֥א27 of 32

to fight

H6633

to mass (an army or servants)

עַל28 of 32
H5921

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

הַר29 of 32

for mount

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

צִיּ֖וֹן30 of 32

Zion

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

וְעַל31 of 32
H5921

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

גִּבְעָתָֽהּ׃32 of 32

and for the hill

H1389

a hillock


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 31:4 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 31:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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