Isaiah 25:4

KJV1611 – Modern English

For You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is like a storm against the wall.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

כִּֽי־הָיִ֨יתָ מָע֥וֹז לַדָּ֛ל מָע֥וֹז לָאֶבְי֖וֹן בַּצַּר־ל֑וֹ מַחְסֶ֤ה מִזֶּ֙רֶם֙ צֵ֣ל מֵחֹ֔רֶב כִּ֛י ר֥וּחַ עָרִיצִ֖ים כְּזֶ֥רֶם קִֽיר׃

Transliteration

kî-hāyîtā māʿôz to-the-dal māʿôz to-the-ʾebyôn in-the-ṣar-lô maḥseh from-zerem ṣēl from-ḥōreb kî rûaḥ ʿārîṣîm like-zerem qîr

Grammar Details

• *kî-hāyîtā*: conjunction with verb, qal perfect, 2nd person masculine singular - for you have been
• *māʿôz*: noun, masculine singular - stronghold, fortress, refuge
• *dal*: adjective, masculine singular - poor, weak, thin
• *ʾebyôn*: adjective, masculine singular - needy, poor
• *ṣar-lô*: noun, masculine singular with preposition and 3rd person masculine singular suffix - in his distress
• *maḥseh*: noun, masculine singular - refuge, shelter
• *zerem*: noun, masculine singular - storm, flood
• *ṣēl*: noun, masculine singular - shadow, shade
• *ḥōreb*: noun, masculine singular - heat, drought
• *rûaḥ*: noun, feminine singular construct - breath, wind, spirit
• *ʿārîṣîm*: adjective, masculine plural - ruthless, fierce
• *qîr*: noun, masculine singular - wall

Word Meanings

• *māʿôz*: stronghold, refuge, strength, fortress
• *dal*: poor, weak, helpless, lowly
• *ʾebyôn*: needy, poor, destitute
• *ṣar-lô*: in his distress, in his trouble
• *maḥseh mizerem*: shelter from the storm, refuge from the downpour
• *ṣēl mēḥōreb*: shade from the heat, shadow from the drought
• *rûaḥ ʿārîṣîm kĕzerem qîr*: blast of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat – for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall.

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  For thou hast been a stronghold{H4581} to the poor,{H1800} a stronghold{H4581} to the needy{H34} in his distress,{H6862} a refuge{H4268} from the storm,{H2230} a shade{H6738} from the heat,{H2721} when the blast{H7307} of the terrible ones{H6184} is as a storm{H2230} against the wall.{H7023}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  For thou hast been a strength{H4581} to the poor{H1800}, a strength{H4581} to the needy{H34} in his distress{H6862}, a refuge{H4268} from the storm{H2230}, a shadow{H6738} from the heat{H2721}, when the blast{H7307} of the terrible ones{H6184} is as a storm{H2230} against the wall{H7023}.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  For thou art the poore mans helpe, a stregth for the neadful in his necessite. Thou art a defence agaynst euel wether, a schadowe agaynst the hete. But vnto the presumptuous, thou art like a stroge whyrle wynde, that casteth downe

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  For thou hast bene a strength vnto the poore, euen a strength to the needie in his trouble, a refuge against the tempest, a shadow against the heate: for the blaste of the mightie is like a storme against the wall.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  For thou hast ben a strength vnto the poore, and a succour for the needie in his trouble, a refuge against euill weather, a shadow against the heate: for the blast of raging men is like a storme that casteth downe a wall.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones [is] as a storm [against] the wall.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the awesome ones is as a storm against the wall.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  For Thou hast been a stronghold for the poor, A stronghold for the needy in his distress, A refuge from storm, a shadow from heat, When the spirit of the terrible `is' as a storm -- a wall.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  For thou hast been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  For thou hast been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  For you have been a strong place for the poor and the crushed in their trouble, a safe place from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the wrath of the cruel ones is like a winter storm.

• World English Bible (2000)

  For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the dreaded ones is like a storm against the wall.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  For you are a protector for the poor, a protector for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm, a shade from the heat. Though the breath of tyrants is like a winter rainstorm,

Referenced Verses

• Matt 7:25-27 : 25 And the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these sayings of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.
• Isa 32:2 : 2 And a man shall be like a shelter from the wind, and a refuge from the storm; like rivers of water in a dry place, like the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.
• Zeph 3:12 : 12 I will also leave in the midst of you an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
• Jas 2:5 : 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
• Isa 49:25 : 25 But thus says the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children.
• Isa 66:2 : 2 For all those things my hand has made, and all those things have been, says the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is humble and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word.
• Ezek 13:11-13 : 11 Say to those who daub it with untempered mortar, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and you, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it. 12 Surely, when the wall has fallen, will it not be said to you, 'Where is the daubing with which you have daubed it?' 13 Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD: I will rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; there shall be an overflowing shower in my anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it.
• Isa 14:32 : 32 What will one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD has founded Zion, and the poor of his people will trust in it.
• Ps 107:41 : 41 Yet he sets the poor on high from affliction, and makes him families like a flock.
• Isa 4:5-6 : 5 And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory shall be a defense. 6 And there shall be a pavilion for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain.
• Isa 11:4 : 4 But with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
• Ps 119:31 : 31 I cling to Your testimonies; O LORD, do not put me to shame.
• Job 5:15-16 : 15 But he saves the needy from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty. 16 So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth.
• Ps 12:5 : 5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, says the LORD; I will set him in safety from him who puffs at him.
• Ps 35:10 : 10 All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like you, who delivers the poor from him who is too strong for him, yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?
• Ps 72:4 : 4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall crush the oppressor.
• Ps 72:13 : 13 He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the lives of the needy.
• Isa 17:10 : 10 Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation, and have not been mindful of the rock of your strength, therefore you shall plant pleasant plants, and set them with strange slips:
• Isa 27:5 : 5 Or let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me.
• Isa 29:5 : 5 Moreover, the multitude of your strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passes away; yes, it shall be at an instant, suddenly.
• Isa 29:19 : 19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
• Isa 32:18-19 : 18 And my people shall dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places; 19 Though hail comes down on the forest, and the city is brought low in humiliation.
• Isa 33:2 : 2 O LORD, be gracious to us; we have waited for you. Be their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.
• Isa 33:16 : 16 He will dwell on high; his place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; bread will be given to him; his water will be sure.
• Isa 37:3-4 : 3 And they said to him, Thus says Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of blasphemy: for the children have come to the birth, and there is no strength to bring forth. 4 It may be the LORD your God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD your God has heard: therefore, lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.
• Isa 37:36 : 36 Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and struck down in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and eighty-five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead bodies.