For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.

ISAIAH 3:8KJV
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Isaiah 3:8 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 3:8 mean?

Isaiah 3:8 explains the collapse of Jerusalem and Judah as the result of their open defiance of the LORD. Their words and actions stand against him, and the verse presents their ruin as the consequence of that defiance.

The phrase “the eyes of his glory” pictures their conduct taking place before the LORD’s own sight. After the search for a leader in the preceding verses, Isaiah identifies the deeper cause of the society’s breakdown.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 3:8

  • “tongue” — לָשׁוֹן (lashon): This word means “tongue” and can also refer to speech. Here, it stands for what the people say, paired with what they do.
  • “provoke” — מָרָה (marah): This word can carry the sense of defying or rebelling against someone. In this verse, the people’s speech and actions are described as resistance to the LORD, not merely as careless behavior.
  • “glory” — כָּבוֹד (kavod): This word can refer to honor or splendor. In the phrase “eyes of his glory,” it emphasizes the majesty of the LORD before whom the people act.

Why Isaiah 3:8 matters

  • The verse treats the trouble as more than a shortage of capable leaders. “Because” gives a reason for the ruin: the people’s conduct has been directed against the LORD.
  • The accusation includes both speech and behavior. “Their tongue and their doings” joins what people say to how they act.
  • The wrongdoing is portrayed as unhidden. The image of the LORD’s “eyes” places the defiance in his sight, a point reinforced by the next verse’s description of people displaying their sin openly.

Where else these words appear

“doings” Hebrew H4611 · used in 41 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:20 The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.
  • Jeremiah 4:18 Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee; this is thy wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reacheth unto thine heart.
  • Jeremiah 32:19 Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:

“provoke” Hebrew H4784 · used in 43 verses

  • Numbers 20:10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
  • 1 Kings 13:21 And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee,
  • Psalms 107:11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:

“ruined” Hebrew H3782 · used in 59 verses

  • Leviticus 26:37 And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies.
  • Isaiah 5:27 None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken:
  • Jeremiah 50:32 And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all round about him.

“tongue” Hebrew H3956 · used in 115 verses

  • Genesis 10:5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
  • Psalms 39:3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
  • Proverbs 25:15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.