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.

Where else these words appear

“fight” Hebrew H6633 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 38:8 And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • Numbers 31:7 And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males.
  • Isaiah 29:7 And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.

“prey” Hebrew H2964 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
  • Psalms 104:21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
  • Ezekiel 19:6 And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion, and learned to catch the prey, and devoured men.

“roaring” Hebrew H1897 · used in 24 verses

  • Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
  • Psalms 63:6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
  • Isaiah 8:19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?

“lion” Hebrew H3715 · used in 32 verses

  • Judges 14:5 Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him.
  • Proverbs 19:12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
  • Ezekiel 19:5 Now when she saw that she had waited, and her hope was lost, then she took another of her whelps, and made him a young lion.