Bible Strands
Isaiah 22:21
I will clothe him with your robe and tie your sash around him. I will put your authority in his hand, and he will be a father to the dwellers of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Lord speaks through Isaiah to Judah, announcing a sudden shift in royal administration during a time of impending crisis. God declares He will summon Eliakim son of Hilkiah to assume the highest administrative office.
The words — The text records אֲחַזְּקֶ֔נּוּ ('a.chaz.ze.Ke./nu), literally "I will make firm on him," describing the securing of the royal sash. It also uses כֻּתָּנְתֶ֗ךָ (ku.ta.ne.Te./kha), meaning "your tunic," to denote the garment of office being transferred.
The thread — This transfer of royal garments and authority echoes Joseph’s elevation in Genesis 41:42 and Jonathan’s gift to David in 1 Samuel 18:4. The motif of divine appointment as a "father" to a household also appears in Genesis 45:8.
Why it lands — The text states that God alone transfers administrative power and official status to a chosen servant. It asks the reader to recognize that leadership changes are directed by divine command rather than human negotiation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.
Cross-references
- Genesis 45:8 Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God, who has made me a father to Pharaoh—lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
- Genesis 41:42 Then Pharaoh removed the signet ring from his finger, put it on Joseph’s finger, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and placed a gold chain around his neck.
- 1 Samuel 18:4 And Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.
- Esther 8:2 The king removed the signet ring he had recovered from Haman and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed Mordecai over the estate of Haman.
- Esther 8:15 Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal garments of blue and white, with a large gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.
- Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.