King James Version

What Does Isaiah 31:9 Mean?

Isaiah 31:9 in the King James Version says “And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem. he: Heb. his rock shall pass away for fear his strong hold: or, his strength”

Isaiah 31:9 · King James Version

Fear & CourageStrength

Context

7

For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin. his idols of gold: Heb. the idols of his gold

8

Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited. from: or, for fear of discomfited: or, tributary: Heb. for melting, or, tribute

9

And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem. he: Heb. his rock shall pass away for fear his strong hold: or, his strength

Read Isaiah 31 full chapter

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear (וְסַלְעוֹ מִמָּגוֹר יַעֲבוֹר, vesal'o mimmagor ya'avor)—he will pass over to his סֶלַע (sela, rock, stronghold) מִן־מָגוֹר (min-magor, from fear, terror). And his princes shall be afraid of the ensign (וְחַתּוּ מִנֵּס שָׂרָיו, vechattu mines saraw)—his שָׂרִים (sarim, princes, commanders) will חָתַת (chatat, be terrified, dismayed) from נֵס (nes, banner, ensign). Saith the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem (נְאֻם־יְהוָה אֲשֶׁר־אוּר לוֹ בְצִיּוֹן וְתַנּוּר לוֹ בִּירוּשָׁלִָם, ne'um-YHWH asher-ur lo veTsiyon vetannur lo viYerushalaim)—Yahweh declares He has אוּר (ur, fire, light) in Zion and תַּנּוּר (tannur, oven, furnace).

Sennacherib's retreat is terror-driven—his stronghold becomes a refuge from overwhelming fear. Even commanders panic at God's נֵס (nes)—possibly the banner of divine judgment or perhaps Jerusalem itself as God's ensign. The concluding phrase is remarkable: Yahweh's אוּר (ur, fire) dwells in Zion. This fire could be refining fire (purifying His people) or consuming fire (judging enemies). The תַּנּוּר (tannur, furnace) suggests God's holy presence that burns away impurity. Hebrews 12:29 echoes: 'For our God is a consuming fire.'

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

After the angel struck 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, Sennacherib fled to Nineveh (Isaiah 37:37). His retreat was ignominious—the mighty conqueror running in terror. The fire/furnace imagery connects to God's presence: pillar of fire, Sinai's flames, glory filling Temple. God's presence in Zion meant both protection for inhabitants and terror for enemies. The same fire that warms also burns.

Reflection Questions

  1. How is God's presence simultaneously comfort to His people and terror to His enemies?
  2. What does it mean that God has His 'fire' and 'furnace' in Jerusalem—His purifying and judging presence?
  3. When have you experienced God's 'fire'—either refining your impurities or defending you from enemies?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְסַלְעוֹ֙1 of 15

“to his strong hold”

H5553

a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)

מִמָּג֣וֹר2 of 15

“for fear”

H4032

a fright (objective or subjective)

יַֽעֲב֔וֹר3 of 15

“And he shall pass over”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

וְחַתּ֥וּ4 of 15

“shall be afraid”

H2865

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

מִנֵּ֖ס5 of 15

“of the ensign”

H5251

a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token

שָׂרָ֑יו6 of 15

“and his princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

נְאֻם7 of 15

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֗ה8 of 15

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אֲשֶׁר9 of 15
H834

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

א֥וּר10 of 15

“whose fire”

H217

flame; hence (in the plural) the east (as being the region of light)

לוֹ֙11 of 15
H0
בְּצִיּ֔וֹן12 of 15

“is in Zion”

H6726

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

וְתַנּ֥וּר13 of 15

“and his furnace”

H8574

a fire-pot

ל֖וֹ14 of 15
H0
בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃15 of 15

“in Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

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 31:9 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 31:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Malachi 4:1Isaiah 29:6Isaiah 18:3Deuteronomy 32:37Zechariah 2:5Leviticus 6:13

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
ZionSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E148 verses across 19 books
View all places in Isaiah 31 →

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