For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.

ISAIAH 31:4KJV
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Isaiah 31:4 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 31:4 mean?

Isaiah 31:4 uses the image of a lion undisturbed by a crowd of shepherds to show that the LORD will defend Mount Zion with unshakable determination, not intimidated or turned aside by any opposition. The verse emphasizes God’s resolve to protect Jerusalem, just as a lion stays focused on its prey despite loud threats.

In this verse, Isaiah is relaying a message from the LORD (H3068) to the people of Judah, who are facing threats from powerful enemies. The picture is of a lion (H738, H3715) and a young lion, both roaring (H1897) over their prey (H2964), ignoring the noise and efforts of many shepherds (H7462) trying to scare them off. This comparison highlights that God’s purpose to defend Zion (H6726) will not be stopped by human efforts or fear.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 31:4

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH, H3068): This is the personal name of God, emphasizing that the message comes directly from Israel’s covenant God, not just a generic deity.
  • Lion (אַרְיֵה, aryeh, H738) and Young Lion (כְּפִיר, kephir, H3715): The use of both words stresses strength and fearlessness, showing God’s power and determination.
  • Roaring (הָגָה, hagah, H1897): This word can mean to growl or mutter, painting a vivid picture of a lion’s low, confident rumble as it guards its prey, not easily frightened.
  • Shepherds (רֹעֶה, ro‘eh, H7462): Shepherds would normally protect their sheep, but here, even a group of them cannot scare the lion away. This underlines how human efforts are powerless against God’s will.

Why Isaiah 31:4 matters

  • Isaiah 31:4 clears up any idea that God’s protection of Jerusalem is hesitant or uncertain; the verse stresses His unwavering commitment.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage, where Judah is warned not to rely on alliances with Egypt but to trust in God’s power alone.
  • The lion imagery helps readers see that God’s actions are not reactive or fearful; He acts with authority and confidence, regardless of human threats.