Isaiah 29:3
Isaiah 29:3 in Multiple Translations
I will camp in a circle around you; I will besiege you with towers and set up siege works against you.
And I will camp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee.
And I will encamp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with posted troops, and I will raise siege works against thee.
And I will make war on you like David, and you will be shut in by earthworks, and I will make towers round you.
I will surround you, I will besiege you with towers and build ramps to attack you.
And I wil besiege thee as a circle, and fight against thee on a mount, and will cast vp ramparts against thee.
And I encamped, O babbler, against thee, And I laid siege against thee — a camp. And I raised up against thee bulwarks.
I will encamp against you all around you, and will lay siege against you with posted troops. I will raise siege works against you.
And I will encamp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee.
And I will make a circle round about thee, and will cast up a rampart against thee, and raise up bulwarks to besiege thee.
I will cause your enemies to come to your city; they will surround it by building towers and putting in place other things with which to attack you.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 29:3
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 29:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/חָנִ֥יתִי
כַ/דּ֖וּר
עָלָ֑יִ/ךְ
וְ/צַרְתִּ֤י
עָלַ֨יִ/ךְ֙
מֻצָּ֔ב
וַ/הֲקִֽימֹתִ֥י
עָלַ֖יִ/ךְ
מְצֻרֹֽת
וְ/חָנִ֥יתִי
chânâh
H2583
to camp
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
כַ/דּ֖וּר
dûwr
H1754
circle
Prep | N-ms
עָלָ֑יִ/ךְ
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
וְ/צַרְתִּ֤י
tsûwr
H6696
to confine
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
עָלַ֨יִ/ךְ֙
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
מֻצָּ֔ב
mutstsâb
H4674
entrenchment
N-ms
וַ/הֲקִֽימֹתִ֥י
qûwm
H6965
-kamai
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs
עָלַ֖יִ/ךְ
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
מְצֻרֹֽת
mᵉtsûwrâh
H4694
fortress
N-fp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 29:3
וְ/חָנִ֥יתִי
chânâh
H2583
"to camp"
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
This Hebrew verb means to set up camp or pitch a tent, like when the Israelites encamped in the wilderness. It can also mean to lay siege against a city.
Definition: 1) to decline, incline, encamp, bend down, lay siege against 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to decline 1a2) to encamp
Usage: Occurs in 135 OT verses. KJV: abide (in tents), camp, dwell, encamp, grow to an end, lie, pitch (tent), rest in tent. See also: Genesis 26:17; Numbers 33:33; Psalms 27:3.
כַ/דּ֖וּר
dûwr
H1754
"circle"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to a round object, like a ball or a pile of things. It is used in the Bible to describe circular things. In the book of Isaiah, it describes a ball or a circle.
Definition: 1) circle, ball 1a) circle 1b) ball
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: ball, turn, round about. See also: Isaiah 22:18; Isaiah 29:3; Ezekiel 24:5.
עָלָ֑יִ/ךְ
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
וְ/צַרְתִּ֤י
tsûwr
H6696
"to confine"
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
To form or shape something, like a potter molds clay, as in Isaiah 29:16.
Definition: 1) to bind, besiege, confine, cramp 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to confine, secure 1a2) to shut in, beseige 1a3) to shut up, enclose
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: adversary, assault, beset, besiege, bind (up), cast, distress, fashion, fortify, inclose, lay siege, put up in bags. See also: Exodus 23:22; 2 Kings 18:9; Psalms 139:5.
עָלַ֨יִ/ךְ֙
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
מֻצָּ֔ב
mutstsâb
H4674
"entrenchment"
N-ms
A military entrenchment or post, often used in sieges or battles to establish a strong position.
Definition: entrenchment, siege-work, palisade, post
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: mount. See also: Isaiah 29:3.
וַ/הֲקִֽימֹתִ֥י
qûwm
H6965
"-kamai"
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs
Qum means to rise or stand up, used in various contexts like rising to power or standing firm, as seen in Jeremiah and Ezra.
Definition: Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B) § -Kamai = "my adversary" Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai
Usage: Occurs in 596 OT verses. KJV: abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). See also: Genesis 4:8; Numbers 30:13; Ruth 4:10.
עָלַ֖יִ/ךְ
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
מְצֻרֹֽת
mᵉtsûwrâh
H4694
"fortress"
N-fp
This word means a fortress or stronghold, like a protected city or rampart. It's used in the Bible to describe a fortified place, such as in Psalm 31:21. It's about a safe and secure location.
Definition: 1) siege-works, stronghold, rampart 1a) siege-works 1b) rampart
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: fenced (city, fort, munition, strong hold. See also: 2 Chronicles 11:10; 2 Chronicles 14:5; Isaiah 29:3.
Study Notes — Isaiah 29:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 29:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 29:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 29:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 29:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 29:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 29:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 29:3
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 29:3
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 29:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 29:3
- Sermons on Isaiah 29:3
Context — Woe to David’s City
1Woe to you, O Ariel, the city of Ariel where David camped! Year upon year let your festivals recur.
2And I will constrain Ariel, and there will be mourning and lamentation; she will be like an altar hearth before Me.
3I will camp in a circle around you; I will besiege you with towers and set up siege works against you.
4You will be brought low, you will speak from the ground, and out of the dust your words will be muffled. Your voice will be like a spirit from the ground; your speech will whisper out of the dust. 5But your many foes will be like fine dust, the multitude of the ruthless like blowing chaff. Then suddenly, in an instant,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke 19:43–44 | For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. They will level you to the ground—you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God. ” |
| 2 | Ezekiel 21:22 | In his right hand appears the portent for Jerusalem, where he is to set up battering rams, to call for the slaughter, to lift a battle cry, to direct the battering rams against the gates, to build a ramp, and to erect a siege wall. |
| 3 | 2 Kings 25:1–4 | So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built a siege wall all around it. And the city was kept under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year. By the ninth day of the fourth month, the famine in the city was so severe that the people of the land had no food. Then the city was breached; and though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city, all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden. They headed toward the Arabah, |
| 4 | 2 Kings 18:17 | Nevertheless, the king of Assyria sent the Tartan, the Rabsaris, and the Rabshakeh, along with a great army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. They advanced up to Jerusalem and stationed themselves by the aqueduct of the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field. |
| 5 | Matthew 22:7 | The king was enraged, and he sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city. |
| 6 | 2 Kings 19:32 | So this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow into it. He will not come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it. |
| 7 | 2 Kings 24:11–12 | And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city while his servants were besieging it. Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his servants, his commanders, and his officials all surrendered to the king of Babylon. So in the eighth year of his reign, the king of Babylon took him captive. |
Isaiah 29:3 Summary
[Isaiah 29:3 tells us that God will surround the city of Ariel with His presence, not to protect it, but to judge it for its sins. This shows us that God is serious about sin and will not let it go unpunished, as we see in Romans 6:23. He wants us to understand that He is holy and just, and His love demands that He correct those who belong to Him, as mentioned in Hebrews 12:6. This should encourage us to live holy lives, knowing that God sees everything and will judge us according to our deeds, but also that He is a loving Father who disciplines us for our good.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for God to 'camp in a circle' around Ariel in Isaiah 29:3?
This phrase symbolizes God's complete and encircling judgment, much like a military siege, emphasizing His control over the situation, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:10 where God encircles His people for protection, but here it is for judgment.
Why would God besiege His own city, Ariel?
God's siege of Ariel, as stated in Isaiah 29:3, is a result of the city's rebellion against Him, much like the warnings given in the book of Jeremiah, such as Jeremiah 25:31, where God judges the nations for their sins.
What do the 'towers' and 'siege works' represent in this context?
The towers and siege works in Isaiah 29:3 represent the strength and thoroughness of God's judgment, similar to the strongholds mentioned in 2 Corinthians 10:4, which are to be torn down, but here they are used by God to encircle and correct His people.
How does this verse relate to God's character?
This verse shows God's holy and just character, as seen in Isaiah 30:18, where He waits to be gracious, but also will not tolerate sin, and thus He must correct and discipline those who belong to Him, as a loving Father, according to Hebrews 12:6.
Reflection Questions
- What areas in my life am I trying to hide from God's encircling presence, and how can I surrender them to His judgment and correction?
- How do I respond to God's discipline, and what does this reveal about my understanding of His love and holiness?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of surrendering to God's sovereignty, as seen in Isaiah 29:3, to the challenges I face today?
- What does this verse teach me about the nature of God's judgment, and how should this impact my daily walk with Him?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 29:3
And I will camp against thee round about,.... Or as a "ball" or "globe" (o); a camp all around; the Lord is said to do that which the enemy should do, because it was by his will, and according to his
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 29:3
And I will camp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee. I - Yahweh, acting through the Assyrian, etc., my instruments (Isaiah 10:5).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 29:3
By those enemies whom I will assist and enable to destroy thee. This was fulfilled either, 1. By Sennacherib, as some learned men think. But what is here affirmed of these enemies is expressly denied concerning Sennacherib, . Or rather, 2. By the Chaldeans, , &c.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 29:3
Isaiah 29:3 And I will camp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee.Ver. 3. And I will camp against thee round about.] I will bring the woe of war upon thee - a woe that no words, how wide soever, can possibly express. See this accomplished. And will lay siege.] As the captain general of the Chaldees.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 29:3
(3) I will encamp against thee . . .—The words describe the strategy of an Eastern siege, as we see it in the Assyrian sculptures—the mound raised against the walls of the city, the battering-ram placed upon the mound, and brought to bear upon the walls. (See Jeremiah 33:4; Ezekiel 4:2.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 29:3
Verse 3. And I will camp against thee round about - "And I will encamp against thee like David"] For כדור caddur, some kind of military engine, כדוד kedavid, like David, is the reading of the Septuagint, two MSS. of Kennicott's, if not two more: but though Bishop Lowth adopts this reading, I think it harsh and unnecessary. Forts - "Towers"] For מצרת metsuroth, read מצדות metsudoth: so the Septuagint and five MSS. of Dr. Kennicott's, one of them ancient, and four of De Rossi's.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 29:3
3. I will camp against thee round about] see Isaiah 29:1. LXX. carries the parallel still further by reading “I will encamp … like David,” a reading which would be plausible if “against which” could be fairly supplied in Isaiah 29:1. “Round about” is the same word as “like a ball” in Isaiah 22:18. with a mount] R.V. with a fort; perhaps lines of circumvallation. For forts, read siege-works, as R.V. Comp. Ezekiel 4:1-3. 4 explains the “moaning and bemoaning” of Isaiah 29:2. The verse reads: And thou shalt be laid low, speaking from (beneath) the earth, and thy speech shall come humbly from the dust; and thy voice shall be like (that of) a ghost (coming) from the earth, and thy speech shall squeak from the dust. The allusions in the latter half of the verse are explained under ch. Isaiah 8:19. The figures signify the utter abasement and exhaustion of the “joyous city.”
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 29:3
And I will camp against thee - That is, I will cause an army to pitch their tents there for a siege.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 29:3
2, 3. Years may roll on, and sacrificial routine may be continued, but not long hence this shall be interrupted. I will distress Ariel — Jerusalem shall be severely besieged.
Sermons on Isaiah 29:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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From the Captivity of the Ten Tribes to the First Year of Cyrus by Flavius Josephus | Flavius Josephus recounts the tragic events that led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of the Israelites. From the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians to the appo |
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Commentary Notes - Ii Kings by Walter Beuttler | Walter Beuttler delves into the Book of 2 Kings, highlighting the division of the book into two parts and the continuous history it provides of God's people. The message of the boo |
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Satan Uses Subtle Devices by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson warns about the subtle devices of Satan, who uses powerful and seemingly successful figures to instill doubt in believers' commitment to trust God. He highlights ho |
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Casting Pearls Before Swine by Rolfe Barnard | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of preparing hearts for the presence of God. He references 1 Corinthians 14:24-25, where it is stated that unbelievers and the |
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God Calling Telling and Warning by Robin McKeown | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the purpose of the Gospel tent that has been set up in Ploughies Park for the past two weeks. He emphasizes that God is calling people to c |
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To Know God by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of accepting God's invitation to engage with Him. He warns that rejecting this proposal will lead to damnation and eternal se |
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God's Agency in War by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink emphasizes God's sovereignty and agency in the affairs of nations, particularly in times of war and judgment. He argues that just as God punished nations in the Old Testa |