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Isaiah 14:32

Isaiah 14:32 in Multiple Translations

What answer will be given to the envoys of that nation? “The LORD has founded Zion, where His afflicted people will find refuge.”

What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.

What then shall one answer the messengers of the nation? That Jehovah hath founded Zion, and in her shall the afflicted of his people take refuge.

What answer, then, will my people give to the representatives of the nation? That the Lord is the builder of Zion, and she will be a safe place for the poor of his people.

What will be the answer given to the messengers from that nation? “The Lord was the one who laid the foundations of Zion, and that's where his suffering people will be kept safe.”

What shall then one answere the messengers of the Gentiles? That the Lord hath stablished Zion, and the poore of his people shall trust in it.

And what doth one answer the messengers of a nation? 'That Jehovah hath founded Zion, And in it do the poor of His people trust!'

What will they answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of his people will take refuge.

What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.

And what shall be answered to the messengers of the nations? That the Lord hath founded Sion, and the poor of his people shall hope in him.

If messengers from Philistia come to us Israeli people, this is what we must [RHQ] tell them: “Yahweh has established Jerusalem, not Philistia, and his people who are oppressed will be safe inside the walls of Jerusalem.”

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Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 14:32

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Isaiah 14:32 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וּ/מַֽה יַּעֲנֶ֖ה מַלְאֲכֵי ג֑וֹי כִּ֤י יְהוָה֙ יִסַּ֣ד צִיּ֔וֹן וּ/בָ֥/הּ יֶחֱס֖וּ עֲנִיֵּ֥י עַמּֽ/וֹ
וּ/מַֽה mâh H4100 what? Conj | Part
יַּעֲנֶ֖ה ʻânâh H6030 to dwell V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
מַלְאֲכֵי mălʼâk H4397 messenger N-mp
ג֑וֹי gôwy H1471 Gentile N-ms
כִּ֤י kîy H3588 for Conj
יְהוָה֙ Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper
יִסַּ֣ד yâçad H3245 to found V-Piel-Perf-3ms
צִיּ֔וֹן Tsîyôwn H6726 Zion N-proper
וּ/בָ֥/הּ Conj | Prep | Suff
יֶחֱס֖וּ châçâh H2620 to seek refuge V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
עֲנִיֵּ֥י ʻânîy H6041 afflicted Adj
עַמּֽ/וֹ ʻam H5971 Amaw N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 14:32

וּ/מַֽה mâh H4100 "what?" Conj | Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
יַּעֲנֶ֖ה ʻânâh H6030 "to dwell" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to sing or make music, but also to respond or give an answer. In the Bible, it is used to describe praising God in song or responding to a question. The KJV translates it as 'sing' or 'answer'.
Definition: (Qal) to dwell
Usage: Occurs in 316 OT verses. KJV: give account, afflict (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also H1042 (בֵּית עֲנוֹת), H1043 (בֵּית עֲנָת). See also: Genesis 18:27; 2 Samuel 14:19; Job 40:2.
מַלְאֲכֵי mălʼâk H4397 "messenger" N-mp
A messenger or representative, often of God, like an angel, prophet, or priest, as seen in Isaiah 42:19 and Haggai 1:13, carrying out God's will.
Definition: : messenger 1) messenger, representative 1a) messenger 1b) angel 1c) the theophanic angel
Usage: Occurs in 196 OT verses. KJV: ambassador, angel, king, messenger. See also: Genesis 16:7; 2 Samuel 24:16; Psalms 34:8.
ג֑וֹי gôwy H1471 "Gentile" N-ms
This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.
Definition: 1) nation, people 1a) nation, people 1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people 1a2) of descendants of Abraham 1a3) of Israel 1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.) 1c) Goyim? = "nations" Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: Gentile, heathen, nation, people. See also: Genesis 10:5; Judges 4:16; Psalms 2:1.
כִּ֤י kîy H3588 "for" Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
יְהוָה֙ Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
יִסַּ֣ד yâçad H3245 "to found" V-Piel-Perf-3ms
To found or establish something is the meaning of this Hebrew word. It also means to sit down together and consult, as in a meeting or council.
Definition: 1) to found, fix, establish, lay foundation 1a) (Qal) to found, establish, begin 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to fix or seat themselves close together, sit in conclave 1b2) to be founded 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to found 1c2) to establish, appoint, ordain 1d) (Pual) to be founded, be laid 1e) (Hophal) to be founded
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: appoint, take counsel, establish, (lay the, lay for a) found(-ation), instruct, lay, ordain, set, [idiom] sure. See also: Exodus 9:18; Psalms 89:12; Psalms 2:2.
צִיּ֔וֹן Tsîyôwn H6726 "Zion" N-proper
Zion refers to a mountain in Jerusalem, often used as another name for the city, especially in prophetic books like Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Definition: Zion = "parched place" another name for Jerusalem especially in the prophetic books Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: Zion. See also: 2 Samuel 5:7; Isaiah 49:14; Psalms 2:6.
וּ/בָ֥/הּ "" Conj | Prep | Suff
יֶחֱס֖וּ châçâh H2620 "to seek refuge" V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To seek refuge means to flee to a safe place for protection, and it can also mean to trust in God. In the Bible, it appears in Psalms and Proverbs, where people put their hope in God. This concept is important in the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) (Qal) to seek refuge, flee for protection 1a) to put trust in (God), confide or hope in (God) (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: have hope, make refuge, (put) trust. See also: Deuteronomy 32:37; Psalms 36:8; Psalms 2:12.
עֲנִיֵּ֥י ʻânîy H6041 "afflicted" Adj
This word describes someone who is depressed, humble, or weak, often due to difficult circumstances, as described in the Psalms and other biblical books.
Definition: 1) poor, afflicted, humble, wretched 1a) poor, needy 1b) poor and weak 1c) poor, weak, afflicted, wretched 1d) humble, lowly
Usage: Occurs in 77 OT verses. KJV: afflicted, humble, lowly, needy, poor. See also: Exodus 22:24; Psalms 88:16; Psalms 9:13.
עַמּֽ/וֹ ʻam H5971 "Amaw" N-ms | Suff
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.

Study Notes — Isaiah 14:32

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Psalms 102:16 For the LORD will rebuild Zion; He has appeared in His glory.
2 Psalms 87:5 And it will be said of Zion: “This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High Himself will establish her.”
3 James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?
4 Zephaniah 3:12 But I will leave within you a meek and humble people, and they will trust in the name of the LORD.
5 Psalms 87:1 He has founded His city on the holy mountains.
6 Isaiah 25:4 For You have been a refuge for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like rain against a wall,
7 Isaiah 28:16 So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.
8 Psalms 102:28 The children of Your servants will dwell securely, and their descendants will be established before You.”
9 Zechariah 11:11 It was revoked on that day, and so the afflicted of the flock who were watching me knew that it was the word of the LORD.
10 Isaiah 39:1 At that time Merodach-baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah, for he had heard about Hezekiah’s illness and recovery.

Isaiah 14:32 Summary

This verse is saying that even when things seem scary and uncertain, God has a safe place for His people, called Zion. He has founded this place as a refuge for those who are hurting or in need, and it's a place where they can find safety and protection (Psalms 46:1, Isaiah 4:6). Just like a parent provides a safe home for their children, God provides a safe haven for His people. We can trust in His care and provision, even when things seem overwhelming, because He is our rock and our refuge (Psalms 18:2).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that the LORD has founded Zion?

This refers to God's establishment of Jerusalem as a place of safety and refuge for His people, as seen in Isaiah 28:16 and Psalms 87:1-3.

Who are the envoys of the nation mentioned in this verse?

The envoys are likely messengers or representatives from other nations who are seeking to understand God's plan and purpose for His people, similar to those in Isaiah 39:1-2.

What is the significance of the afflicted people finding refuge in Zion?

This highlights God's care and provision for those who are suffering, as seen in Psalms 9:9-10 and Matthew 11:28, where Jesus invites the weary to come to Him for rest.

How does this verse relate to the surrounding context?

This verse serves as a response to the threats and warnings issued to the Philistines in the preceding verses, emphasizing God's protection and provision for His people in Zion, as seen in Isaiah 14:28-31.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean for me to find refuge in God, and how can I experience His safety and protection in my life?
  2. How can I trust in God's founding of Zion, even when I face challenges and uncertainties in my own life?
  3. What does this verse teach me about God's heart for the afflicted and oppressed, and how can I reflect His care and compassion to those around me?
  4. In what ways can I be a part of God's plan to provide refuge and safety for His people, and how can I support and encourage those who are suffering?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 14:32

What shall [one] then answer the messengers of the nation?.... Or nations, of any of the nations.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 14:32

What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it. What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation?

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 14:32

What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? what shall a Jew say to the people of other nations, who shall either be sent or come to inquire concerning the state of Zion in that day, when not only the Philistines, but even the Jews themselves, shall fall by the hands of one and the same enemy? Nation is put collectively for nations, as gate and city for gates and cities in the foregoing verse. They shall give them this answer, That although Zion at present be in a very distressed and deplorable condition, and seems to be forsaken by her God; yet she stands upon a firm foundation, and God, who first founded her, will again restore and establish her, and his poor despised people shall resort to her, as to a strong and sure refuge.

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 14:32

Isaiah 14:32 What shall [one] then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.Ver. 32. That the Lord hath founded Zion.] Not Hezekiah, but Jehovah hath done it.

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 14:32

(32) What shall one then answer . . .?—The words obviously imply that the prophet either had received, or expected to receive, a message of inquiry from the Philistines, and that this is his answer. It seems not improbable, indeed, that the series of prophecies that follow were delivered in answer to such inquiries. The fame of the prophet had spread beyond the confines of Israel, and men of different nations came to Jerusalem to consult him. So Jeremiah’s oracles are delivered to the ambassadors who came to propose an alliance against Nebuchadnezzar in the time of Zedekiah (Jeremiah 27:3). Commonly, however, the words are referred to the embassies of congratulation, which came with plans of new alliances after the destruction of Sennacherib’s army (2 Chronicles 32:23). That the Lord hath founded Zion.—This is the answer to all such inquiries. Zion stands firm and safe in the protection of Jehovah. The “poor” (obviously those of Isa 14:30) shall trust (better, shall find refuge) in it. (Comp. Isaiah 28:16.) They need no foreign alliances, no arm of flesh.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 14:32

Verse 32. The messengers of the nation - "The ambassadors of the nations"] The Septuagint read גוים goyim, εθνων, plural; and so the Chaldee, and one MS. The ambassadors of the neighbouring nations, that send to congratulate Hezekiah on his success, which in his answer he will ascribe to the protection of God. See 2 Chronicles 32:23. Or, if גוי goi singular, the reading of the text, be preferred, the ambassadors sent by the Philistines to demand peace. - L. The Lord hath founded Zion] Kimchi refers this to the state of Zion under Hezekiah, when the rest of the cities of Judea had been taken, and this only was left for a hope to the poor of God's people: and God so defended it that Rabshakeh could not prevail against it. The true Church of God is a place of safety; for as all its members are devoted to God, and walk in his testimonies, so they are continually defended and supported by him. In the congregations of his people, God dispenses his light and salvation; hence his poor or humble ones expect in his ordinances the blessings they need.

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 14:32

32. The oracle ends, in a manner characteristic of Isaiah, with a piece of practical advice to the political leaders of the state. Some words have probably dropped out of the first half of the verse. the messengers of the nation] are no doubt Philistine envoys endeavouring to negotiate an alliance with Judah. They are probably to be regarded as actually waiting in Jerusalem while the court deliberates on the expediency of joining the rebellion. The prophet’s answer is unhesitating. that the Lord hath founded Zion] A leading principle of Isaiah’s later ministry; see on ch. Isaiah 8:18, Isaiah 28:16, and General Introduction, pp. xxxvi, lxii. the poor of his people …] Better as R.V., in her shall the afflicted of his people take refuge.

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 14:32

What shall one then answer - The design of this verse is obvious. It is to show that Judea would be safe from the invasions of the Philistines, and that God was the protector of Zion.

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 14:32

32. What… answer — What answer shall be given to the messengers of the nation — The ambassadors sent from a nation, (âåé, goi, collection of peoples.) From what nation, what people?

Sermons on Isaiah 14:32

SermonDescription
David Guzik (Isaiah) All About Satan by David Guzik In this sermon, the speaker addresses the fall of the king of Babylon and the reasons behind it. The fall was prompted by something the king said in his heart, even though he may n
Bill McLeod Helps to Prayer by Bill McLeod In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of knowing God's blueprint for the past in order to make wise guesses about the future. He mentions Peter's promise of times of
Bill McLeod Audio Sermon: Recognizing and Dealing With Occult Involvement by Bill McLeod This sermon delves into the importance of deliverance from demonic afflictions and the need for total surrender to God. It recounts real-life experiences of individuals struggling
Art Katz Exploring Israel's Deliverance Through Zion by Art Katz Art Katz explores the profound theme of Israel's deliverance through Zion, emphasizing that the ultimate salvation of Israel is tied to the character of the King and His Kingdom, w
Chuck Smith Psalms 102:16 by Chuck Smith Chuck Smith discusses the desolation of Zion as a consequence of rejecting the Messiah, emphasizing that God scattered His people and left the land barren. However, he highlights G
Chuck Smith Leviticus 26:3 by Chuck Smith Chuck Smith emphasizes the certainty of God's promises as outlined in Leviticus 26:3, highlighting the importance of obedience to God's statutes and commandments. He explains that
George Kulp Citizenship in Heaven by George Kulp George Kulp preaches about the heavenly citizenship of believers, drawing parallels from historical accounts of citizens being protected and freed due to their citizenship. He emph

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