King James Version

What Does Isaiah 5:29 Mean?

Isaiah 5:29 in the King James Version says “Their roaring shall be like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, an...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Their roaring shall be like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry it away safe, and none shall deliver it.”

Isaiah 5:29 · KJV

Context

27

None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken:

28

Whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind:

29

Their roaring shall be like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry it away safe, and none shall deliver it.

30

And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof. sorrow: or, distress and the light: or, when it is light, it shall be dark in the destructions thereof

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The lion imagery—roaring, seizing prey, carrying away with none to deliver—depicts judgment's terrifying finality. Lions symbolize strength and predatory success; applying this to invading armies shows covenant people becoming prey to former subordinates. The phrase 'none shall deliver' emphasizes abandonment: God, Israel's traditional deliverer, now commissions their destruction. This inverts Exodus deliverance, showing that covenant breaking transforms God from savior to judge.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Judah's various appeals for deliverance (Egyptian alliance, tribute to Assyria) proved futile. When God determines judgment, no human intervention avails.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's transformation from deliverer to judge demonstrate the seriousness of covenant unfaithfulness?
  2. What false 'deliverers' do we trust in when experiencing divine discipline?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
שְׁאָגָ֥ה1 of 11

“Their roaring”

H7581

a rumbling or moan

ל֖וֹ2 of 11
H0
כַּלָּבִ֑יא3 of 11

“shall be like a lion”

H3833

a lion (properly, a lioness as the fiercer (although not a roarer;))

וִשְׁאַ֨ג4 of 11

“they shall roar”

H7580

to rumble or moan

כַּכְּפִירִ֤ים5 of 11

“like young lions”

H3715

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

וְיִנְהֹם֙6 of 11

“yea they shall roar”

H5098

to growl

וְיֹאחֵ֣ז7 of 11

“and lay hold”

H270

to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)

טֶ֔רֶף8 of 11

“of the prey”

H2964

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

וְיַפְלִ֖יט9 of 11

“and shall carry it away safe”

H6403

to slip out, i.e., escape; causatively, to deliver

וְאֵ֥ין10 of 11
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מַצִּֽיל׃11 of 11

“and none shall deliver”

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

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 5:29 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 5:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 42:22Micah 5:8Zechariah 11:3Isaiah 49:24-25Isaiah 31:4Amos 3:8

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