Isaiah 51:20
Isaiah 51:20 in Multiple Translations
Your sons have fainted; they lie at the head of every street, like an antelope in a net. They are full of the wrath of the LORD, the rebuke of your God.
Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God.
Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as an antelope in a net; they are full of the wrath of Jehovah, the rebuke of thy God.
Your sons are overcome, like a roe in a net; they are full of the wrath of the Lord, the punishment of your God.
Your children have collapsed, lying in every street like antelopes caught in a trap. They experienced the full anger of the Lord, the condemnation of your God.
Thy sonnes haue fainted, and lye at the head of all the streetes as a wilde bull in a nette, and are full of the wrath of the Lord, and rebuke of thy God.
Thy sons have been wrapped up, they have lain down, At the head of all out places, as a wild ox [in] a net, They are full of the fury of Jehovah, The rebuke of Thy God.
Your sons have fainted. They lie at the head of all the streets, like an antelope in a net. They are full of the LORD’s wrath, the rebuke of your God.
Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God.
Thy children are cast forth, they have slept at the head of all the ways, as the wild ox that is snared: full of the indignation of the Lord, of the rebuke of thy God.
Your children have fainted and lie in the streets; they are as helpless as [SIM] an antelope that has been caught in a net. What has happened to them is because Yahweh has been very angry with them; he has rebuked them severely.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 51:20
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 51:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בָּנַ֜יִ/ךְ
עֻלְּפ֥וּ
שָׁכְב֛וּ
בְּ/רֹ֥אשׁ
כָּל
חוּצ֖וֹת
כְּ/ת֣וֹא
מִכְמָ֑ר
הַֽ/מְלֵאִ֥ים
חֲמַת
יְהוָ֖ה
גַּעֲרַ֥ת
אֱלֹהָֽיִ/ךְ
בָּנַ֜יִ/ךְ
bên
H1121
son
N-mp | Suff
עֻלְּפ֥וּ
ʻâlaph
H5968
to enwrap
V-Pual-Perf-3cp
שָׁכְב֛וּ
shâkab
H7901
to lie down
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
בְּ/רֹ֥אשׁ
rôʼsh
H7218
head
Prep | N-ms
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
חוּצ֖וֹת
chûwts
H2351
outside
N-mp
כְּ/ת֣וֹא
tᵉʼôw
H8377
antelope
Prep | N-ms
מִכְמָ֑ר
makmâr
H4364
net
N-ms
הַֽ/מְלֵאִ֥ים
mâlêʼ
H4392
full
Art | Adj
חֲמַת
chêmâh
H2534
rage
N-fs
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
גַּעֲרַ֥ת
gᵉʻârâh
H1606
rebuke
N-fs
אֱלֹהָֽיִ/ךְ
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 51:20
בָּנַ֜יִ/ךְ
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
עֻלְּפ֥וּ
ʻâlaph
H5968
"to enwrap"
V-Pual-Perf-3cp
To enwrap means to cover or veil something, like Moses did when he covered his face in Exodus 34:33. It can also mean to feel weak or faint, like Jesus did in the garden in Luke 22:45.
Definition: 1) to cover 1a) (Pual) covered, encrusted (participle) 1b) (Hithpael) to enwrap oneself, disguise oneself, faint
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: faint, overlaid, wrap self. See also: Genesis 38:14; Isaiah 51:20; Jonah 4:8.
שָׁכְב֛וּ
shâkab
H7901
"to lie down"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To lie down can mean to rest, sleep, or have sexual relations, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible. It can also mean to relax or be at rest.
Definition: : lay_down/lie_with 1) to lie down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lie, lie down, lie on 1a2) to lodge 1a3) to lie (of sexual relations) 1a4) to lie down (in death) 1a5) to rest, relax (fig) 1b) (Niphal) to be lain with (sexually) 1c) (Pual) to be lain with (sexually) 1d) (Hiphil) to make to lie down 1e) (Hophal) to be laid
Usage: Occurs in 194 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, cast down, (lover-)lay (self) (down), (make to) lie (down, down to sleep, still with), lodge, ravish, take rest, sleep, stay. See also: Genesis 19:4; 1 Kings 11:43; Psalms 3:6.
בְּ/רֹ֥אשׁ
rôʼsh
H7218
"head"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.
Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum
Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
חוּצ֖וֹת
chûwts
H2351
"outside"
N-mp
This word means outside or outdoors, referring to something beyond a wall or boundary. It can also mean a street or highway, as seen in various KJV translations, including abroad, field, and without.
Definition: outside, outward, street, the outside
Usage: Occurs in 158 OT verses. KJV: abroad, field, forth, highway, more, out(-side, -ward), street, without. See also: Genesis 6:14; 2 Chronicles 24:8; Psalms 18:43.
כְּ/ת֣וֹא
tᵉʼôw
H8377
"antelope"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for antelope, possibly referring to a wild ox or oryx, is used in the Bible to describe a strong and swift animal. It appears in the book of Deuteronomy. This word is translated as wild bull in the KJV.
Definition: 1) wild ox, antelope, oryx 1a) perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning unknown
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: wild bull (ox). See also: Deuteronomy 14:5; Isaiah 51:20.
מִכְמָ֑ר
makmâr
H4364
"net"
N-ms
A hunter's net is what this word refers to, used to catch animals by surprise. It's also related to darkness and concealment, making it hard for prey to escape. In the Bible, it's translated as 'net' or 'snare'.
Definition: net, snare Also means: mak.mor (מַכְמֹר "net" H4364B)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: net. See also: Psalms 141:10; Isaiah 51:20.
הַֽ/מְלֵאִ֥ים
mâlêʼ
H4392
"full"
Art | Adj
Full means having no empty space, like a full cup or a full heart. It can also mean a large amount, like a multitude of people.
Definition: 1) full, fulness, that which fills 1a) fully (adv)
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] she that was with child, fill(-ed, -ed with), full(-ly), multitude, as is worth. See also: Genesis 23:9; Deuteronomy 6:11; Psalms 73:10.
חֲמַת
chêmâh
H2534
"rage"
N-fs
This word means intense anger or rage, like a burning fire. It's used in the Bible to describe God's wrath and human anger, often warning against the dangers of unchecked emotions. In Proverbs and Psalms, it cautions against the destructive power of anger and rage.
Definition: 1) heat, rage, hot displeasure, indignation, anger, wrath, poison, bottles 1a) heat 1a1) fever 1a2) venom, poison (fig.) 1b) burning anger, rage Aramaic equivalent: che.ma (חֱמָא "rage" H2528)
Usage: Occurs in 117 OT verses. KJV: anger, bottles, hot displeasure, furious(-ly, -ry), heat, indignation, poison, rage, wrath(-ful). See H2529 (חֶמְאָה). See also: Genesis 27:44; Isaiah 63:5; Psalms 6:2.
יְהוָ֖ה
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.
גַּעֲרַ֥ת
gᵉʻârâh
H1606
"rebuke"
N-fs
A rebuke is a stern warning or correction, often given to someone who has done wrong. It is a way of reproof, aiming to guide the person back to the right path.
Definition: a rebuke, reproof
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: rebuke(-ing), reproof. See also: 2 Samuel 22:16; Proverbs 13:8; Psalms 18:16.
אֱלֹהָֽיִ/ךְ
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
Study Notes — Isaiah 51:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 51:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 51:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 51:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 51:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 51:20
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 51:20
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 51:20
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 51:20
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 51:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 51:20
- Sermons on Isaiah 51:20
Context — God’s Fury Removed
18Among all the sons she bore, there is no one to guide her; among all the sons she brought up, there is no one to take her hand.
19These pairs have befallen you: devastation and destruction, famine and sword. Who will grieve for you? Who can comfort you?
20Your sons have fainted; they lie at the head of every street, like an antelope in a net. They are full of the wrath of the LORD, the rebuke of your God.
21Therefore now hear this, you afflicted one, drunken, but not with wine. 22Thus says your Lord, the LORD, even your God, who defends His people: “See, I have removed from your hand the cup of staggering. From that goblet, the cup of My fury, you will never drink again.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamentations 2:11–12 | My eyes fail from weeping; I am churning within. My heart is poured out in grief over the destruction of the daughter of my people, because children and infants faint in the streets of the city. They cry out to their mothers: “Where is the grain and wine?” as they faint like the wounded in the streets of the city, as their lives fade away in the arms of their mothers. |
| 2 | Revelation 16:9–11 | And the people were scorched by intense heat, and they cursed the name of God, who had authority over these plagues; yet they did not repent and give Him glory. And the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness, and men began to gnaw their tongues in anguish and curse the God of heaven for their pains and sores; yet they did not repent of their deeds. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 39:19 | At the sacrifice I am preparing, you will eat fat until you are gorged and drink blood until you are drunk. |
| 4 | Isaiah 9:19–21 | By the wrath of the LORD of Hosts the land is scorched, and the people are fuel for the fire. No man even spares his brother. They carve out what is on the right, but they are still hungry; they eat what is on the left, but they are still not satisfied. Each one devours the flesh of his own offspring. Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; together they turn against Judah. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised. |
| 5 | Isaiah 49:26 | I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh; they will be drunk on their own blood, as with wine. Then all mankind will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.” |
| 6 | Isaiah 5:25 | Therefore the anger of the LORD burns against His people; His hand is raised against them to strike them down. The mountains quake, and the corpses lay like refuse in the streets. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised. |
| 7 | Isaiah 29:9 | Stop and be astonished; blind yourselves and be sightless; be drunk, but not with wine; stagger, but not from strong drink. |
| 8 | Ezekiel 12:13 | But I will spread My net over him, and he will be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans; yet he will not see it, and there he will die. |
| 9 | Lamentations 5:13 | Young men toil at millstones; boys stagger under loads of wood. |
| 10 | Lamentations 3:15–16 | He has filled me with bitterness; He has intoxicated me with wormwood. He has ground my teeth with gravel and trampled me in the dust. |
Isaiah 51:20 Summary
[This verse is a picture of God's people being overwhelmed and helpless, like animals trapped in a net, because of their sin and disobedience, as seen in Isaiah 51:20. It reminds us that our sin has consequences, but it also points us to the hope of God's restoration and redemption, as promised in Isaiah 40:1-2. Just as the sons are full of the wrath of the LORD, we too can experience God's judgment, but we can also turn to Him for forgiveness and mercy, as seen in Psalm 103:8-12 and Romans 5:8.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the sons to have fainted and lie at the head of every street?
This is a picture of spiritual and physical exhaustion, where God's people are helpless and unable to escape the consequences of their sin, as seen in Isaiah 51:20, and it is a result of God's wrath and rebuke, similar to what is described in Deuteronomy 28:15.
Why are the sons compared to an antelope in a net?
The comparison to an antelope in a net, as seen in Isaiah 51:20, signifies the sons' helplessness and inability to escape the trap of God's judgment, much like the Israelites were trapped by their own sin in Ezekiel 22:30-31.
What is the significance of the sons being full of the wrath of the LORD?
The sons being full of the wrath of the LORD, as stated in Isaiah 51:20, indicates that they are experiencing the full weight of God's judgment and anger, which is a result of their disobedience, as warned in Leviticus 26:14-17 and Romans 1:18-20.
How does this verse relate to the overall message of Isaiah?
This verse is part of a larger message of judgment and restoration in the book of Isaiah, where God calls His people to repentance and promises to redeem and restore them, as seen in Isaiah 40:1-2 and Isaiah 61:1-3.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be 'fainting' or feeling helpless in my own spiritual journey, and how can I turn to God for strength and comfort?
- How do I respond to God's discipline and rebuke in my life, and what can I learn from the example of the sons in Isaiah 51:20?
- In what ways can I be a source of comfort and support to those around me who may be experiencing the wrath of God or the consequences of their sin?
- How can I balance the reality of God's judgment with the promise of His restoration and redemption, as seen in Isaiah 51:20-22?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 51:20
Thy sons have fainted,.... Through want of food, or at the desolation made, and have no spirit in them to appear in the interest of true religion: they lie at the head of all the streets; emaciated
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 51:20
Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 51:20
Thy sons have fainted; they are so far from being able to comfort thee, as was said, , that they themselves faint away for want of comfort, and through famine. They lie dead by famine, or the sword of the enemy, at the head of all the streets; where men enter in or go out of the streets, where the enemy found them either opposing their entrance, or running out of them to make an escape. As a wild bull in a net: those of them who are not slain are struggling for life; and although they murmur at God, and fight with men, yet they cannot prevail or escape.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 51:20
Isaiah 51:20 Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God.Ver. 20. Thy sons have fainted.] Fame, macie, tabe, vulnere, utterly disabled to relieve thee. As a wild bull in a net.] Taken in a toil, where he struggles and strives, foams and fumes, but cannot get out.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 51:20
(20) As a wild bull . . .—Better, as an antelope. The picture explains that of Isa 51:17. The sons cannot help the mother, for they, too, have drunk of the same cup of fury, and lie like corpses in the open places of the city. (Comp. Lamentations 2:12.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 51:20
Verse 20. As a wild bull in a net: they are full, c. - "Like the oryx taken in the toils drenched to the full"] "Perhaps מכמרה מלאים michmerah meleim." SECKER. The demonstrative ה he, prefixed to מלאים meleim, full, seems improper in this place.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 51:20
20. Thy sons have swooned] lit. “were shrouded,”—a usual oriental metaphor (Amos 8:13; Jonah 4:8; Nahum 3:11). For the idea cf. Lamentations 2:11; Lamentations 2:19; Lamentations 2:21. at the head of all the streets] Lamentations 2:19; Lamentations 4:1. as a wild bull in a net] R.V., rightly, as an antelope (Deuteronomy 14:5) in a net, exhausted by its vain struggles to get free. they are full of the fury &c.] The children have drunk of the same cup as their mother.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 51:20
Thy sons - Jerusalem is here represented as a mother. Her sons, that is, her inhabitants, had become weak and prostrate everywhere, and were unable to afford consolation.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 51:20
18-20. There is none to guide her — There is none like Messiah to guide and lead. The sons of Jerusalem — namely, the priests and prophets — have lost character, hence ability spiritually to guide.
Sermons on Isaiah 51:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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God's Work in the Darkness by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that entertainment is a substitute for true joy and that the glory of God needs to be restored. He mentions the importance of being anointed |
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The Man God Tore Apart - Part 2 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing both the goodness and severity of God. He warns that America is experiencing an abundance of material blessing |
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Man-Made Gods by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of understanding life one day at a time, comparing it to solving a puzzle. He emphasizes that while we may not always understand t |
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(Revelation) the Sorrows in Earth by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the opening of the fifth field in heaven by Jesus Christ. This event is accompanied by great signs on earth, including a great earthquake, th |
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The Mischief of Sin by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches about the mischief of sin, highlighting God's mercy in saving Christians from persisting in sin and the consequences of unrepentant sinners storing up wrath |
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Fearing God and Heeding His Word by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith warns about the enticing and pleasant nature of sin, but emphasizes that it ultimately leads to barrenness, captivity, misery, despair, and darkn |
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The God of Jacob by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson emphasizes the contrast between Jacob, described as a 'worm,' and the 'Mighty One of Jacob,' illustrating how God chooses the weak and unworthy to demonstrate His grac |