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:

ISAIAH 3:6KJV
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Isaiah 3:6 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 3:6 mean?

Isaiah 3:6 describes a desperate situation where people are so lacking in leadership that a man will grab his own brother and beg him to take charge, simply because he owns decent clothing, and ask him to take responsibility for their ruined community. The verse paints a picture of social collapse and the absence of capable leaders.

In this part of Isaiah, the prophet is speaking to the people of Judah, warning them about the consequences of their actions and the coming judgment. The verse uses the image of one brother grabbing another from the same family, highlighting how dire things have become—anyone who seems even slightly qualified, such as someone with "clothing," is urged to become a ruler over the chaos ("this ruin"). The scene shows how normal standards for leadership have broken down.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 3:6

  • "man" (אִישׁ, ish): This word often means an individual male, but here it emphasizes the personal, family-level desperation as each man turns to his brother for help.
  • "clothing" (שִׂמְלָה, simlah): In ancient times, having proper clothing could signal some level of status or stability. The request is not for someone with real authority, but anyone who appears respectable.
  • "ruin" (מַכְשֵׁלָה, makhshalah): This word means something fallen or ruined, stressing the complete breakdown of society that the new "ruler" would have to manage.

Why Isaiah 3:6 matters

  • Isaiah 3:6 clears up the misunderstanding that leadership always comes from those with real qualifications; here, even the smallest sign of stability (like clothing) makes someone a candidate.
  • The verse emphasizes how far society has fallen, connecting to the wider passage where Isaiah warns of judgment and the removal of competent leaders.
  • Understanding this verse helps readers see the depth of the crisis Isaiah describes, where the usual order is reversed and desperation drives people to seek help from anyone who seems even slightly better off.

Where else these words appear

“ruin” Hebrew H4384 · used in 2 verses

  • Zephaniah 1:3 I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.

“ruler” Hebrew H7101 · used in 12 verses

  • Joshua 10:24 And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.
  • Proverbs 6:7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
  • Isaiah 22:3 All thy rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers: all that are found in thee are bound together, which have fled from far.

“clothing” Hebrew H8071 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 9:23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.
  • Exodus 19:10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,
  • Joshua 7:6 And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads.

“hold” Hebrew H8610 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 4:21 And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
  • 2 Kings 14:13 And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
  • Jeremiah 50:16 Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every one to his own land.