Isaiah 3:4
ESV
And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them.
NIV
"I will make mere youths their officials; children will rule over them."
NASB
And I will make mere boys their leaders, And mischievous children will rule over them,
CSB
"I will make youths their leaders, and unstable rulers will govern them."
NLT
I will make boys their leaders, and toddlers their rulers.
KJV
And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.
NKJV
“I will give children to be their princes, And babes shall rule over them.
What does Isaiah 3:4 mean?
The leaders of Judah and Jerusalem were not leading God's people toward dependence on Yahweh. Still, the people thought of their leaders as wise, strong and, trustworthy. Isaiah now writes that when the Lord removes these seemingly strong leaders from Judah (Isaiah 3:2–3), those left to take their places will be incompetent.Isaiah seems to be pointing forward to the time when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon will carry way "all the officials and all the mighty men of valor, 10,000 captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths. None remained, except the poorest people of the land" (2 Kings 24:14). Those left behind to rule over Judah will be young, perhaps teenagers, and inexperienced in comparison to the leaders hauled off to Babylon. Everyone will know that these new leaders cannot be trusted to defend Israel or bring justice to her people.
