King James Version

What Does Isaiah 50:9 Mean?

Isaiah 50:9 in the King James Version says “Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth sh... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

Isaiah 50:9 · KJV


Context

7

For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

8

He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary ? let him come near to me. mine: Heb. the master of my cause?

9

Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

10

Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

11

Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The assurance 'the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me?' repeats for emphasis the impossibility of successful accusation against God's justified servant. The imagery 'they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up' depicts enemies' decay versus God's eternal vindication. Accusers are temporary; God's approval is permanent.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's historical enemies (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon) all fell while God's people endured through exile and return. This pattern anticipates Satan's final defeat (Revelation 20:10) while those justified in Christ live eternally.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the inevitability of your accusers' decay encourage patient endurance of false charges?
  2. What is the difference between temporary human condemnation and eternal divine justification?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
הֵ֣ן1 of 14
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

אֲדֹנָ֤י2 of 14

Behold the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִה֙3 of 14

GOD

H3069

god

יַֽעֲזָר4 of 14

will help

H5826

to surround, i.e., protect or aid

לִ֔י5 of 14
H0
מִי6 of 14
H4310

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

ה֖וּא7 of 14
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יַרְשִׁיעֵ֑נִי8 of 14

me who is he that shall condemn

H7561

to be (causatively, do or declare) wrong; by implication, to disturb, violate

הֵ֤ן9 of 14
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

כֻּלָּם֙10 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

כַּבֶּ֣גֶד11 of 14

as a garment

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

יִבְל֔וּ12 of 14

me lo they all shall wax old

H1086

to fail; by implication to wear out, decay (causatively, consume, spend)

עָ֖שׁ13 of 14

the moth

H6211

a moth

יֹאכְלֵֽם׃14 of 14

shall eat them up

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)


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 50:9 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 50:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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