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Jonathan Isaiah

About this book
Chapter 3

1 For the Lord of the world, the LORD of hosts, is taking away from Jerusalem and Judah support and aid, all support of food and all help of drink; 2 the mighty man and warrior, the judge and scribe, the diviner and elder;⁠ 3 the captain of fifty, the man of rank, the counselor, the skilled craftsman, the wise man, and the expert in counsel. 4 “I will make mere youths their rulers, and the inexperienced will rule over them.” 5 The people will oppress one another, every man against his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the base fellow to the honorable. 6 When a man seizes his brother in his father’s house, saying, “You have a cloak; you shall be our leader, and this ruin shall be under your authority,” 7 he will reply in that day, saying, “I am not a healer; in my house there is neither bread nor clothing; you shall not make me leader over the people.” 8 For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen, because their words and deeds are against the LORD, inciting anger before his glory. 9 Their biased judgments testify against them; like the sins of Sodom, they flaunt their sins without hiding them. Woe to them! For they have brought this disaster upon themselves. 10 Tell the righteous, “It will be well with you,” for they will enjoy the fruits of their deeds. 11 Woe to the wicked whose deeds are evil, for the recompense of their hands will be given back to them. 12 My people—those who lead you plunder you like vineyard gleaners, and creditors rule over you—O my people, your leaders mislead you and corrupt your paths. 13 The LORD is ready to judge and to reveal his justice among the people. 14 The LORD will bring to judgment the elders and leaders of his people, “You have plundered my people; the spoils of the poor are in your houses. 15 What do you mean by crushing my people and turning aside the needs of the oppressed in their legal cases?” says the LORD God of hosts. 16 And the LORD said, “Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, walking with uplifted necks, ogling with their eyes, walking with mincing steps and exciting lust with their feet,⁠ 17 therefore the LORD will humble the nobles of the daughters of Zion and take away their glory.” 18 In that day the LORD will remove the finery of their anklets, headbands, and hair ornaments; 19 the pendants, bracelets, and veils; 20 the headdresses, ankle chains, sashes, and perfume boxes; the amulets and charms; 21 the rings and nose rings; 22 the festal robes, cloaks, shawls, and handbags; 23 the mirrors, fine linen garments, turbans, and shawls. 24 And it shall come to pass that where there was fragrance, there will be stench; where there were belts, scars; where there was beautiful hair, baldness; where there was fine clothing, sackcloth; and shame will replace beauty. 25 Your men will fall by the sword, and your warriors in battle. 26 The gates of her cities shall lament and mourn, and her land will be desolate and abandoned.

Texts in conversation

Compare Isaiah 3:2 and 1 Corinthians 1:20 and Jonathan Isaiah 3:2

Hebrew Bible · New Testament · Targum

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Summary

Isaiah describes the loss of Jerusalem’s leaders as a sign of judgment. The Aramaic Targum changes “prophet” to “scribe,” focusing on the loss of intellectual leaders. Paul uses similar language in 1 Corinthians, where God judges the wise and the scribe.

Passages

Isaiah 3:2

Hebrew Bible
1 Look, the Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah every source of security, including all the food and water, 2 the mighty men and warriors, judges and prophets, omen readers and leaders, 3 captains of groups of 50, the respected citizens, advisers and those skilled in magical arts, and those who know incantations.
740–450 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in Isaiah

1 Corinthians 1:20

New Testament
19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will thwart the cleverness of the intelligent.” 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the expert in the Mosaic law? Where is the debater of this age? Has God not made the wisdom of the world foolish? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world by its wisdom did not know God, God was pleased to save those who believe by the foolishness of preaching.
55–57 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in 1 Corinthians

Jonathan Isaiah 3:2

Targum
1 For the Lord of the world, the LORD of hosts, is taking away from Jerusalem and Judah support and aid, all support of food and all help of drink; 2 the mighty man and warrior, the judge and scribe, the diviner and elder; 3 the captain of fifty, the man of rank, the counselor, the skilled craftsman, the wise man, and the expert in counsel.
200–300 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in Jonathan Isaiah

References

"... Against the background of what will be, the situation which now prevails is all the more pathetic. God removes such basic leadership as that of the 'scribe' (verse 2 of the Targum, instead of 'prophet', as in the Masoretic text) and the 'scholar' (verse 3). (Notably, the wise man, the scribe and the debater are described as set aside by God in 1 Corinthians 1:20), after a citation of Isaiah 29:14. Instead, weak 'guardians' prevail, supported by official extortion from community representatives who are themselves impoverished and unsuitable ..."
Bruce D. Chilton, The Isaiah Targum: Introduction, Translation, Apparatus and Notes, ArBib 11 (Wilmington, DE: Michael Glazier, 1987), 9.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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Isaiah 3:2 and 1 Corinthians 1:20 and Jonathan Isaiah 3:2

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