Isaiah 3:6
ESV
For a man will take hold of his brother in the house of his father, saying: "You have a cloak; you shall be our leader, and this heap of ruins shall be under your rule";
NIV
A man will seize one of his brothers in his father’s house, and say, "You have a cloak, you be our leader; take charge of this heap of ruins!"
NASB
When a man lays hold of his brother in his father’s house, saying, 'You have a cloak, you shall be our ruler! And these ruins will be under your authority,'
CSB
A man will even seize his brother in his father’s house, saying: "You have a cloak—you be our leader! This heap of rubble will be under your control."
NLT
In those days a man will say to his brother, 'Since you have a coat, you be our leader! Take charge of this heap of ruins!'
KJV
When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, saying, Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and let this ruin be under thy hand:
NKJV
When a man takes hold of his brother In the house of his father, saying, “You have clothing; You be our ruler, And let these ruins be under your power,”
What does Isaiah 3:6 mean?
Isaiah has described a time coming to Judah, at the hand of God, when all her strong men and leaders will be removed. Both those in official positions of power and those who led the people through their influence and wisdom will be taken away (Isaiah 3:2–3). Those left to lead will be young and inexperienced (Isaiah 3:4). In the power vacuum that follows, the people will take advantage of each other. This will lead to the stronger oppressing the weak and the young disrespecting and taking from those who are older. The community will fall into chaos.The people will understand they desperately need proper leadership. They will begin to demand it from those among them. Things will be so bad that even having a cloak will a sign of some degree of status. Isaiah describes a man saying to another that he should be their leader because he is wearing a cloak. He calls his brother to take the rule over the "heap of ruins" that Jerusalem has become.
Isaiah 3:1–15 describes what will happen when God removes all the men of importance from Jerusalem . From soldiers to commanders and judges to charms experts. Those left behind will soon turn on each other for survival, oppressing the poor and old. Any man offered the role of Jerusalem's leader will refuse, knowing he cannot bring healing or provision to God's people. The Lord will bring charges against Judah's current leaders for mistreating the poor and taking everything from them.
Isaiah reveals that the Lord will take away all the qualified men from Judah and Jerusalem in His judgment. This includes military, political, and spiritual leaders. After they're gone, the people will turn on each other to survive, trying to convince anyone with the slightest advantage to be their leader. The Lord makes his case against Judah's leaders for taking from the poor instead of providing for them. The Lord will take away from Judah's women all the adornments they displayed in public in their arrogance and immorality. Jerusalem's men will fall, and she will be left empty.
