Bible Strands
Isaiah 3:12
Youths oppress My people, and women rule over them. O My people, your guides mislead you; they turn you from your paths.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet Isaiah addresses Judah during a season of national collapse and impending divine judgment. He speaks to the covenant community as civil and spiritual structures fracture.
The words — The Hebrew מְעוֹלֵ֔ל (meʿōlēl) literally means "[is] acting like children," describing the oppressive conduct of the youths. The verb מָ֣שְׁלוּ (māšəlû) translates as "they have ruled," denoting the exercised authority of the women over the people.
The thread — This leadership inversion appears in Isaiah 3:4, where lads and children assume control. It parallels Nahum 3:13’s depiction of exposed vulnerability and the historical power grab recorded in 2 Kings 11:1.
Why it lands — The text states that compromised guides actively turn a people from their paths. Readers must acknowledge that corrupted authority directly produces societal misdirection and requires accountability.
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
As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 3:4 “I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.”
- Nahum 3:13 Look at your troops—they are like your women! The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies; fire consumes their bars.
- 2 Kings 11:1 When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs.
- Isaiah 28:14 Therefore hear the word of the LORD, O scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem.
- Numbers 6:23 “Tell Aaron and his sons: This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
- Isaiah 9:15 The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies.
- Jeremiah 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?
- Matthew 15:14 Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
- Matthew 23:13 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.