Isaiah 50:3

50:2 Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.

I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

KJV

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I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.”

I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

50:4 The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

What does Isaiah 50:3 mean?

Isaiah 50:3 is a verse in the book of Isaiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include לָבַשׁ (lâbash), שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim), קַדְרוּת (qadrûwth). It connects to 12 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

clotheלָבַשׁlâbash/law-bash'/H3847properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

the

heavensשָׁמַיִםshâmayim/shaw-mah'-yim/H8064the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)

with

blackness,קַדְרוּתqadrûwth/kad-rooth'/H6940duskiness

and

makeשׂוּםsûwm/soom/H7760to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

sackclothשַׂקsaq/sak/H8242properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e. coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grain, etc.)

their

covering.כְּסוּתkᵉçûwth/kes-ooth'/H3682a cover (garment); figuratively, a veiling

Commentary on Isaiah 50:3

HENRY_FULL · Isaiah 50:3

against the lusts of uncleanness. As they regard the welfare of their souls, let them take heed of strange women, lewd women, whom they ought to be strange to, of the mouth of strange women, of the kisses of their lips ( ch. vii. 13 ), of the words of their lips, their charms and enticements. Dread them; have nothing to do with them; for, 1. Those who abandon themselves to that sin give proof that they are abandoned of God: it is a deep pit, which those fall into that are abhorred of the Lord, who leaves them to themselves to enter into that temptation, and takes off the bridle of his restraining grace, to punish them for other sins. Value not thyself upon thy being in favour with such women, when it proclaims thee under the wrath of God. 2. It is seldom that they recover themselves, for it is a deep pit; it will be hard getting out of it, it so besots the mind and debauches the conscience, by pleasing the flesh. 15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. We have here two very sad considera

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Job 20:19

Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not; oppressed: Heb. crushed

Psalms 12:5

For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him. puffeth: or, would ensnare him

Isaiah 14:31

Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved: for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none shall be alone in his appointed times. none: or, he shall not be alone appointed: or, assemblies

Isaiah 28:3

The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet: under: Heb. with feet

Micah 2:2

And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage. oppress: or, defraud

Micah 2:3

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time is evil.

Zechariah 7:9

Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: Execute: Heb. Judge judgment of truth

Luke 6:33

And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

Luke 14:12

Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.

Luke 16:24

And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

James 2:13

For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. rejoiceth: or, glorieth

James 5:1

Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

Topics

Jesus, The Christ Meteorology and Celestial Phenomena Sackcloth

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Isaiah 50:3.

Genesis 37:34

And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.

Genesis 41:42

And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; fine: or, silk

Frequently asked questions

What does Isaiah 50:3 say?

Isaiah 50:3 (King James Version) reads: "I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering."

Is Isaiah 50:3 in the Old or New Testament?

Isaiah 50:3 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Isaiah.

Reflect

As you read Isaiah 50:3, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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