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Selected Verse: Isaiah 31:4 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Isa 31:4	Strong Concordance	For thus hath the LORD [03068] spoken [0559] unto me, Like as the lion [0738] and the young lion [03715] roaring [01897] on his prey [02964], when a multitude [04393] of shepherds [07462] is called forth [07121] against him, he will not be afraid [02865] of their voice [06963], nor abase [06031] himself for the noise [01995] of them: so shall the LORD [03068] of hosts [06635] come down [03381] to fight [06633] for mount [02022] Zion [06726], and for the hill [01389] thereof.
	King James	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.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
(Isa 42:13; Hos 11:10). roaring on--"growling over" his prey. abase himself--be disheartened or frightened.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

(Isa 42:13; Hos 11:10).

roaring on--"growling over" his prey.

abase himself--be disheartened or frightened.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
For thus hath the Lord spoken - The design of this verse and the following is to assure the Jews of the certain protection of Yahweh, and thus to induce them to put their trust in him rather than to seek the alliance with Egypt. To do this the prophet makes use of two striking illustrations, the first of which is, that Yahweh would be no more alarmed at the number and power of their enemies than a fierce lion would be that was intent on his prey, and could not be frightened from it by any number of men that should come against him. The "point" of this comparison is, that as the lion that "was intent on his purpose" could not be frightened from it by numbers, so it would be with Yahweh, who "was equally intent on his purpose" - the defense of the city of Jerusalem. It does not mean, of course, that the purpose of God and of the lion resembled each other, but merely that there was similar "intensity of purpose," and similar adherence to it notwithstanding all opposition. The figure is one that denotes the highest vigilance, firmness, steadiness, and a determination on the part of Yahweh that Jerusalem should not fall into the hands of the Assyrians. Like as the lion - The divine nature and purposes are often represented in the Scriptures by metaphors, allegories, and comparisons taken from animals, and especially from the lion (see Deu 33:20; Job 10:16; Psa 7:2; Hos 11:10). And the young lion - The vigorous, strong, fierce lion. The use of the two here, gives intensity and strength to the comparison. It is observable that the lion is seldom mentioned alone in the Scriptures. Roaring on his prey - Roaring as he seizes on his prey. This is the moment of the greatest intensity of purpose in the lion, and it is therefore used by Isaiah to denote the intense purpose of Yahweh to defend Jerusalem, and not to be deterred by any number of enemies. When a multitude of shepherds is called forth - When the neighborhood is alarmed, and all the inhabitants turn out to destroy him. This comparison is almost exactly in the spirit and language of Homer, "Il." xii. 209, following: So pressed with hunger from the mountain's brow, Descends a lion on the flocks below; So stalks the lordly savage o'er the plain, In sullen majesty and stern disdain: In vain loud mastiffs bay him from afar, And shepherds gall him with an iron war; Regardless, furious, he pursues his way; He foams, he roars, he rends the panting prey. Pope So also Il. xviii. 161, 162: - But checked he turns; repulsed attacks again. With fiercer shouts his lingering troops he fires Nor yields a step, nor from his post retires; So watchful shepherds strive to force in vain, The hungry lion from the carcass slain. Pope He will not be afraid - He will be so intent on his prey that he will not heed their shouting. Nor abase himself - That is, he will not be frightened, or disheartened. So shall the Lord of hosts - That is, with the same intensity of purpose; with the same fixedness of design. He will be as little dismayed and diverted from his purpose by the number, the designs, and the war shout of the Assyrian armies.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

For thus hath the Lord spoken - The design of this verse and the following is to assure the Jews of the certain protection of Yahweh, and thus to induce them to put their trust in him rather than to seek the alliance with Egypt. To do this the prophet makes use of two striking illustrations, the first of which is, that Yahweh would be no more alarmed at the number and power of their enemies than a fierce lion would be that was intent on his prey, and could not be frightened from it by any number of men that should come against him. The "point" of this comparison is, that as the lion that "was intent on his purpose" could not be frightened from it by numbers, so it would be with Yahweh, who "was equally intent on his purpose" - the defense of the city of Jerusalem. It does not mean, of course, that the purpose of God and of the lion resembled each other, but merely that there was similar "intensity of purpose," and similar adherence to it notwithstanding all opposition. The figure is one that denotes the highest vigilance, firmness, steadiness, and a determination on the part of Yahweh that Jerusalem should not fall into the hands of the Assyrians.

Like as the lion - The divine nature and purposes are often represented in the Scriptures by metaphors, allegories, and comparisons taken from animals, and especially from the lion (see Deu 33:20; Job 10:16; Psa 7:2; Hos 11:10).

And the young lion - The vigorous, strong, fierce lion. The use of the two here, gives intensity and strength to the comparison. It is observable that the lion is seldom mentioned alone in the Scriptures.

Roaring on his prey - Roaring as he seizes on his prey. This is the moment of the greatest intensity of purpose in the lion, and it is therefore used by Isaiah to denote the intense purpose of Yahweh to defend Jerusalem, and not to be deterred by any number of enemies.

When a multitude of shepherds is called forth - When the neighborhood is alarmed, and all the inhabitants turn out to destroy him. This comparison is almost exactly in the spirit and language of Homer, "Il." xii. 209, following:

So pressed with hunger from the mountain's brow,

Descends a lion on the flocks below;

So stalks the lordly savage o'er the plain,

In sullen majesty and stern disdain:

In vain loud mastiffs bay him from afar,

And shepherds gall him with an iron war;

Regardless, furious, he pursues his way;

He foams, he roars, he rends the panting prey.

Pope

So also Il. xviii. 161, 162:

- But checked he turns; repulsed attacks again.

With fiercer shouts his lingering troops he fires

Nor yields a step, nor from his post retires;

So watchful shepherds strive to force in vain,

The hungry lion from the carcass slain.

Pope

He will not be afraid - He will be so intent on his prey that he will not heed their shouting.

Nor abase himself - That is, he will not be frightened, or disheartened.

So shall the Lord of hosts - That is, with the same intensity of purpose; with the same fixedness of design. He will be as little dismayed and diverted from his purpose by the number, the designs, and the war shout of the Assyrian armies.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
And things of this kind would occur. "For thus hath Jehovah spoken to me, As the lion growls, and the young lion over its prey, against which a whole crowd of shepherds is called together; he is not alarmed at their cry, and does not surrender at their noise; so will Jehovah of hosts descend to the campaign against the mountain of Zion, and against their hill." There is no other passage in the book of Isaiah which sounds so Homeric as this (vid., Il. xviii. 161, 162, xii. 299ff.). It has been misunderstood by Knobel, Umbreit, Drechsler, and others, who suppose על לצבּא to refer to Jehovah's purpose to fight for Jerusalem: Jehovah, who would no more allow His city to be taken from Him, than a lion would give up a lamb that it had taken as its prey. But how could Jerusalem be compared to a lamb which a lion holds in its claws as tereph? (Isa 5:29). We may see, even from Isa 29:7, what construction is meant to be put upon על צבא. Those sinners and their protectors would first of all perish; for like a fierce indomitable lion would Jehovah advance against Jerusalem, and take it as His prey, without suffering Himself to be thwarted by the Judaeans and Egyptians, who set themselves in opposition to His army (The Assyrians). The mountain of Zion was the citadel and temple; the hill of Zion the city of Jerusalem (Isa 10:32). They would both be given up to the judgment of Jehovah, without any possibility of escape. The commentators have been misled by the fact, that a simile of a promising character follows immediately afterwards, without anything to connect the one with the other. But this abrupt μετάβασις was intended as a surprise, and was a true picture of the actual fulfilment of the prophecy; for in the moment of the greatest distress, when the actual existence of Jerusalem was in question (cf., Isa 10:33-34), the fate of Ariel took suddenly and miraculously a totally different turn (Isa 29:2). In this sense, a pleasant picture is placed side by side with the terrible one (compare Mic 5:6-7).

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

And things of this kind would occur. "For thus hath Jehovah spoken to me, As the lion growls, and the young lion over its prey, against which a whole crowd of shepherds is called together; he is not alarmed at their cry, and does not surrender at their noise; so will Jehovah of hosts descend to the campaign against the mountain of Zion, and against their hill." There is no other passage in the book of Isaiah which sounds so Homeric as this (vid., Il. xviii. 161, 162, xii. 299ff.). It has been misunderstood by Knobel, Umbreit, Drechsler, and others, who suppose על לצבּא to refer to Jehovah's purpose to fight for Jerusalem: Jehovah, who would no more allow His city to be taken from Him, than a lion would give up a lamb that it had taken as its prey. But how could Jerusalem be compared to a lamb which a lion holds in its claws as tereph? (Isa 5:29). We may see, even from Isa 29:7, what construction is meant to be put upon על צבא. Those sinners and their protectors would first of all perish; for like a fierce indomitable lion would Jehovah advance against Jerusalem, and take it as His prey, without suffering Himself to be thwarted by the Judaeans and Egyptians, who set themselves in opposition to His army (The Assyrians). The mountain of Zion was the citadel and temple; the hill of Zion the city of Jerusalem (Isa 10:32). They would both be given up to the judgment of Jehovah, without any possibility of escape. The commentators have been misled by the fact, that a simile of a promising character follows immediately afterwards, without anything to connect the one with the other. But this abrupt μετάβασις was intended as a surprise, and was a true picture of the actual fulfilment of the prophecy; for in the moment of the greatest distress, when the actual existence of Jerusalem was in question (cf., Isa 10:33-34), the fate of Ariel took suddenly and miraculously a totally different turn (Isa 29:2). In this sense, a pleasant picture is placed side by side with the terrible one (compare Mic 5:6-7).

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
For - Although you have done evil in sending to Egypt for help, yet the Lord himself will, of his own grace, give you that help which you do not deserve.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Like as the lion - This comparison is exactly in the spirit and manner, and very nearly approaching to the expression, of Homer. Βη ρ' ιμεν, ὡστε λεων ορεσιτροφος, ὁστ' επιδευης Δηρον εῃ κρειων, κελεται δε ἑ θυμος αγηνωρ, Μηλων πειρησοντα, και ες πυκινον δομον ελθειν· Ειπερ γαρ χ' εὑρῃσι παρ' αυτοψι βωτορας ανδρας Συν κυσι και δουρεσσι φυλασσοντας περι μηλα, Ου ρα τ' απειρητος μεμονε σταθμοιο διεσθαι. Αλλ' ὁγ' αῥ η ἡρπαξε μεταλμενος, ηε και αυτος Εβλητ' εν πρωτοισι θοης απο χειρος ακοντι. Iliad 12:299. As the bold lion, mountain-bred, now long Famished, with courage and with hunger stung Attempts the thronged fold: him nought appals, Though dogs and armed shepherds stand in guard Collected; he nathless undaunted springs O'er the high fence, and rends the trembling prey; Or, rushing onward, in his breast receives The well-aimed spear. Of metaphors, allegories, and comparisons of the Hebrew poets, in which the Divine nature and attributes are represented under images taken from brutes and other low objects; of their effect, their sublimity, and the causes of it; see De Sac. Poes. Heb., Praelect. 16 sub. fin.

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¹⁰ They shall walk [03212] after [0310] the LORD [03068]: he shall roar [07580] like a lion [0738]: when he shall roar [07580], then the children [01121] shall tremble [02729] from the west [03220].

¹³ The LORD [03068] shall go forth [03318] as a mighty man [01368], he shall stir up [05782] jealousy [07068] like a man [0376] of war [04421]: he shall cry [07321], yea, roar [06873]; he shall prevail [01396] against his enemies [0341].

² Lest he tear [02963] my soul [05315] like a lion [0738], rending it in pieces [06561], while there is none to deliver [05337].

¹⁶ For it increaseth [01342]. Thou huntest [06679] me as a fierce lion [07826]: and again [07725] thou shewest thyself marvellous [06381] upon me.

²⁰ And of Gad [01410] he said [0559], Blessed [01288] be he that enlargeth [07337] Gad [01410]: he dwelleth [07931] as a lion [03833], and teareth [02963] the arm [02220] with [0637] the crown of the head [06936].

⁶ And they shall waste [07462] the land [0776] of Assyria [0804] with the sword [02719], and the land [0776] of Nimrod [05248] in the entrances [06607] thereof: thus shall he deliver [05337] us from the Assyrian [0804], when he cometh [0935] into our land [0776], and when he treadeth [01869] within our borders [01366].
⁷ And the remnant [07611] of Jacob [03290] shall be in the midst [07130] of many [07227] people [05971] as a dew [02919] from the LORD [03068], as the showers [07241] upon the grass [06212], that tarrieth [06960] not for man [0376], nor waiteth [03176] for the sons [01121] of men [0120].

² Yet I will distress [06693] Ariel [0740], and there shall be heaviness [08386] and sorrow [0592]: and it shall be unto me as Ariel [0740].

³³ Behold, the Lord [0113], the LORD [03068] of hosts [06635], shall lop [05586] the bough [06288] with terror [04637]: and the high ones [07311] of stature [06967] shall be hewn down [01438], and the haughty [01364] shall be humbled [08213].
³⁴ And he shall cut down [05362] the thickets [05442] of the forest [03293] with iron [01270], and Lebanon [03844] shall fall [05307] by a mighty one [0117].

³² As yet shall he remain [05975] at Nob [05011] that day [03117]: he shall shake [05130] his hand [03027] against the mount [02022] of the daughter [01323] [01004] of Zion [06726], the hill [01389] of Jerusalem [03389].

⁷ And the multitude [01995] of all the nations [01471] that fight [06633] against Ariel [0740], even all that fight [06638] against her and her munition [04685], and that distress [06693] her, shall be as a dream [02472] of a night [03915] vision [02377].

²⁹ Their roaring [07581] shall be like a lion [03833], they shall roar [07580] [07580] like young lions [03715]: yea, they shall roar [05098], and lay hold [0270] of the prey [02964], and shall carry it away safe [06403], and none shall deliver [05337] it.