New International Version “I will make mere youths their officials; children will rule over them.” New Living Translation I will make boys their leaders, and toddlers their rulers. English Standard Version And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them. Berean Standard Bible “I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.” Berean Literal Bible “And I will give youths as their princes, and infants will rule over them.” King James Bible And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. New King James Version “I will give children to be their princes, And babes shall rule over them. New American Standard Bible And I will make mere boys their leaders, And mischievous children will rule over them, NASB 1995 And I will make mere lads their princes, And capricious children will rule over them, NASB 1977 And I will make mere lads their princes And capricious children will rule over them, Legacy Standard Bible And I will make young men their princes, And capricious children will rule over them, Amplified Bible And I will make mere boys their princes, And capricious (impulsive, unpredictable) children will rule over them. Berean Annotated Bible “I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them. Christian Standard Bible “I will make youths their leaders, and unstable rulers will govern them.” Holman Christian Standard Bible I will make youths their leaders, and the unstable will govern them.” American Standard Version And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. Contemporary English Version He will let children and babies become your rulers. English Revised Version And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. GOD'S WORD® Translation "I will make boys their leaders. Children will govern them." Good News Translation The LORD will let the people be governed by immature boys. International Standard Version "I will make youths their princes, and infants will rule over them. NET Bible The LORD says, "I will make youths their officials; malicious young men will rule over them. New Heart English Bible And I will make youths to be their leaders, and capricious children shall rule over them. Webster's Bible Translation And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.” World English Bible I will give boys to be their princes, and children shall rule over them. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd I have made youths their heads, "" And sucklings rule over them. Berean Literal Bible “And I will give youths as their princes, and infants will rule over them.” Young's Literal Translation And I have made youths their heads, And sucklings rule over them. Smith's Literal Translation And I gave boys their chiefs, and the petulant shall rule over them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd I will give children to be their princes, and the effeminate shall rule over them. Catholic Public Domain Version And I will provide children as their leaders, and the effeminate will rule over them. New American Bible I will place boys as their princes; the fickle will govern them, New Revised Standard Version And I will make boys their princes, and babes shall rule over them. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd I will appoint young men to be their princes, and mockers shall rule over them. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And I shall raise up young men as their Princes, and mockers shall have dominion over them OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And I will give children to be their princes, And babes shall rule over them. Brenton Septuagint Translation And I will make youths their princes, and mockers shall have dominion over them. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context A Judgment Against Judah…3the commander of fifty and the dignitary, the counselor, the cunning magician, and the clever enchanter. 4“I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.” 5The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor; the young will rise up against the old, and the base against the honorable.… Cross References I will make mere lads their leaders, 1 Kings 12:8 But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him. 2 Chronicles 13:7 Then worthless and wicked men gathered around him to resist Rehoboam son of Solomon when he was young, inexperienced, and unable to resist them. Proverbs 28:16 A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days. and children will rule over them. Ecclesiastes 10:16 Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning. 2 Kings 11:21 Joash was seven years old when he became king. 2 Chronicles 34:1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. 1 Kings 3:7 And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in. 2 Chronicles 36:1-2 Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and made him king in Jerusalem in place of his father. / Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. Hosea 13:11 So in My anger I gave you a king, and in My wrath I took him away. 1 Samuel 8:5-6 “Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.” / But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. 1 Samuel 8:11-12 He said, “This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to serve his own chariots and horses, and to run in front of his chariots. / He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. Jeremiah 30:21 Their leader will be one of their own, and their ruler will arise from their midst. And I will bring him near, and he will approach Me, for who would dare on his own to approach Me?” declares the LORD. Matthew 18:3 “Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 1 Corinthians 14:20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Luke 10:21 At that time Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight. Treasury of Scripture And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. children 1 Kings 3:7-9 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in… 2 Chronicles 33:1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem: 2 Chronicles 34:1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. Jump to Previous Appoint Babes Boys Chiefs Children Foolish Govern Heads Lads Mere Officials Ones Princes Rule Sucklings YouthsJump to Next Appoint Babes Boys Chiefs Children Foolish Govern Heads Lads Mere Officials Ones Princes Rule Sucklings YouthsIsaiah 3 1. The great calamities which come by sin10. The different rewards of the righteous and wicked 12. The oppression and covetousness of the rulers 16. The judgments which shall be for the pride of the women 25. The general desolation “I will make mere lads their leaders, God’s judgment would overturn the normal order of Judah’s society. Instead of being governed by seasoned men capable of providing stability and justice, the nation would be led by those lacking the maturity and wisdom required for such responsibility. 1Ki 12:8 But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders;… and children will rule over them.” Weak and inexperienced rule would expose the nation’s moral and political collapse, leaving its people vulnerable to disorder and oppression. Ecc 10:16 Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth,… Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah's ministry spanned the reigns of several kings of Judah. He is known for his prophecies concerning both judgment and redemption. 2. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, which is the primary audience of Isaiah's prophecies. During Isaiah's time, Judah faced both internal corruption and external threats. 3. God's Judgment The context of Isaiah 3 is a pronouncement of judgment upon Judah for their sins, including social injustice and idolatry. 4. Lads and Children Symbolic of inexperienced and immature leadership, representing a reversal of the expected order and a sign of divine judgment. Teaching Points The Consequences of Sinful LeadershipIsaiah 3:4 illustrates the chaos and disorder that result from sin, particularly when leaders lack wisdom and maturity. This serves as a warning to seek godly and wise leadership in all areas of life. The Importance of Godly Wisdom The passage underscores the need for leaders to seek wisdom from God, as Solomon did. In our personal lives, we should also seek divine guidance in our decisions and leadership roles. Trust in God's Sovereignty Even when leadership fails, believers can trust in God's ultimate control and justice. This encourages us to remain faithful and prayerful, trusting that God will work through even difficult circumstances. The Role of Humility in Leadership While Isaiah 3:4 warns against immature leadership, it also indirectly points to the value of humility. True leadership involves recognizing one's limitations and relying on God's strength and wisdom. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 3:4?2. How does Isaiah 3:4 illustrate consequences of rejecting God's authority in leadership? 3. What lessons can we learn about leadership from Isaiah 3:4's "boys as princes"? 4. How does Isaiah 3:4 connect with Proverbs 29:2 on righteous leadership? 5. How can we apply Isaiah 3:4 to choosing leaders in our communities? 6. What does Isaiah 3:4 teach about the importance of maturity in leadership? 7. What does Isaiah 3:4 mean by "I will make mere lads their leaders"? 8. How does Isaiah 3:4 reflect God's judgment on a nation? 9. Why does God choose to appoint "children" as rulers in Isaiah 3:4? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 3? (4) I will give children to be their princes.--Better, youths. The words may point obliquely to Ahaz, who had ascended the throne at the age of twenty (2Chronicles 28:1). Manasseh was but twelve when he became king; Josiah but eight (2Chronicles 33:1; 2Chronicles 34:1). In an Eastern monarchy the rule of a young king, rash and without experience, guided by counsellors like himself, was naturally regarded as the greatest of evils, and the history of Rehoboam had impressed this truth on the mind of every Israelite. (Comp. Ecclesiastes 10:16.)Verse 4. - I will give children to be their princes; rather, youths than "children." The extreme youth of the later kings of Judah at the date of their accession is very remarkable. After Hezekiah, only one was as much as twenty-five years old when he came to the throne. Jehoahaz was twenty-three (2 Kings 23:31); Amon, twenty-two (2 Kings 21:19); Zedekiah twenty-one (2 Kings 24:18); Jehoiachin, eighteen (2 Kings 24:8); Manasseh, twelve (2 Kings 21:1); and Josiah eight (2 Kings 22:1). Thus this prophecy was fulfilled to the letter. And babes shall rule over them; literally, puerilities shall rule over them; i.e. the youths shall behave in a childish way. Isaiah 3:4 gives a clear, literal promise from the LORD: as a direct judgment for sin, He will place immature, inexperienced rulers over a rebellious people. Each phrase highlights God’s sovereignty (“I will make”), the nature of the judgment (“mere lads…children”), and the sobering consequence (“will rule over them”). The verse warns that when a society rejects God’s standards, He may let it taste the bitter fruit of incompetent leadership—yet even this is a mercy designed to turn hearts back to the only truly wise King. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “I will makeוְנָתַתִּ֥י (wə·nā·ṯat·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set mere lads נְעָרִ֖ים (nə·‘ā·rîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer their leaders, שָׂרֵיהֶ֑ם (śā·rê·hem) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince and children וְתַעֲלוּלִ֖ים (wə·ṯa·‘ă·lū·lîm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8586: Caprice, vexation, a tyrant will rule יִמְשְׁלוּ־ (yim·šə·lū-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 4910: To rule, have dominion, reign over them.” בָֽם׃ (ḇām) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew Additonal Resources Isaiah 3:4 Blue Letter BibleIsaiah 3:4 Bible Gateway Isaiah 3:4 Bible.com Isaiah 3:4 NIV |
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