Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.
Read it in contextJudgment on Judah and Jerusalem
Start reading at Isaiah 3:1 (Isaiah 3:1 to Isaiah 3:26).
The entire chapter details the Lord's judgment on Judah and Jerusalem for their sin, including the removal of leaders, societal decay, and specific judgments against the haughty daughters of Zion. Verse 10 provides a contrasting promise to the righteous within this context of widespread judgment.
3:1For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water.
3:2The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient,
3:3The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator.
3:4And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.
3:5And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.
3:6When 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:
3:7In that day shall he swear, saying, I will not be an healer; for in my house is neither bread nor clothing: make me not a ruler of the people.
3:8For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.
3:9The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.
3:10Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.
3:11Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.
3:12As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
3:13The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.
3:14The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.
3:15What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
3:16Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet:
3:17Therefore the LORD will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts.
3:18In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon,
3:19The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers,
3:20The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings,
3:21The rings, and nose jewels,
3:22The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins,
3:23The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.
3:24And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.
3:25Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war.
3:26And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground.
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Who
Who wrote the book? Isaiah son of Amoz is the named prophet and the traditional author. The New Testament attributes passages from both earlier and later portions to Isaiah; scholars differ about the book's later composition and collection. Biblical references: Isaiah 1:1; John 12:38; John 12:39. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Isaiah 1:1–5:30): Judah and Jerusalem are the principal hearers of Isaiah's warnings; rulers, worshippers, and the people are challenged concerning their conduct. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Judah and Jerusalem are the principal named audience, with messages also concerning Israel and other nations. Later portions address God's people in the horizon of exile, return, and restoration. Biblical references: Isaiah 1:1; Isaiah 40:1; Isaiah 48:20. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is God's impending judgment on Judah and Jerusalem due to their widespread sin and rebellion, contrasted with the promise of well-being for the righteous and woe for the wicked, based on their deeds.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His justice and the principle of divine retribution: that the righteous will experience well-being as the fruit of their doings, while the wicked will suffer ill. He also reveals His intention to remove leadership, bring societal breakdown, and judge the people for their pride and sin.
What is the literary style? The literary style is prophetic declaration, warning, and judgment, characterized by direct address, vivid descriptions of societal decay, and a clear statement of consequences for both righteousness and wickedness.
When
When was it written? The book of Isaiah was written between approximately 700 and 680 B.C.
When does the event take place? The events prophesied occur after the time of writing, likely during the period of c. 740 to 680 B.C., encompassing the decline of Judah and the Assyrian invasions, leading up to the Babylonian exile. The passage describes a future state of judgment and societal collapse.
Where
Where did it happen? The prophecy concerns Jerusalem and Judah.
Where was the author located? The author, Isaiah, was located in Jerusalem when he wrote this prophecy.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Judgment on Judah and Jerusalem (Isaiah 3:1 to Isaiah 3:26).
Start reading at Isaiah 3:1. The entire chapter details the Lord's judgment on Judah and Jerusalem for their sin, including the removal of leaders, societal decay, and specific judgments against the haughty daughters of Zion. Verse 10 provides a contrasting promise to the righteous within this context of widespread judgment.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Isaiah 3:10 is a pivotal statement within a larger prophecy of judgment against Judah and Jerusalem (Isaiah 3:1-26). Verses 1-9 detail the removal of leadership, societal breakdown, and the people's open sin. Verse 10 offers a stark contrast, promising well-being to the righteous, immediately followed by a 'Woe unto the wicked!' in verse 11, setting up the principle of divine justice that underpins the entire chapter's pronouncements of judgment. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? This verse, by establishing the principle that 'it shall be well with him' who is righteous and that people 'shall eat the fruit of their doings,' foreshadows Christ's role as the ultimate righteous one whose 'doings' (perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice) bring eternal well-being to those who believe in Him. It also points to Christ as the righteous judge who will perfectly execute this principle, rewarding the righteous and bringing woe to the wicked at the final judgment. interpretation
How do I apply it today? This passage reminds believers that God is just and that our actions have consequences. While salvation is by grace through faith, God still rewards faithfulness and righteous living, and there are natural and spiritual consequences for unrighteousness. It encourages us to pursue righteousness, trusting that God will ultimately ensure 'it shall be well' with those who walk in His ways, even amidst present difficulties. interpretation
What Scripture saysThe book opens with the vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz and names him throughout. The New Testament quotes both the earlier and later chapters as Isaiah's words. Isaiah 1:1Isaiah 6:1John 12:38John 12:39
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition holds the whole book to be Isaiah's.
What is debatedMany critical scholars propose a second and third author for chapters 40 and following, based on setting and style. John 12 quoting both sections as Isaiah is a significant argument against that view.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Isaiah 3
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Isaiah's opening locates his vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem in named royal reigns. The book includes warnings, narratives, and promises addressed to different settings. Identify the immediate audience before extending a promise or judgment to later readers. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The opening visions confront Judah's rebellion while joining judgment with promises concerning the remnant and the Davidic ruler.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The opening visions confront Judah's rebellion while joining judgment with promises concerning the remnant and the Davidic ruler.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Isaiah
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Isaiah's opening locates his vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem in named royal reigns. The book includes warnings, narratives, and promises addressed to different settings. Identify the immediate audience before extending a promise or judgment to later readers.
Connection to the wholeThe opening visions confront Judah's rebellion while joining judgment with promises concerning the remnant and the Davidic ruler.
Connection to the wholeThe narratives connect trust and deliverance with an announcement concerning Babylon, bridging earlier warnings and later words of comfort.
Connection to the wholeThe movement announces comfort, challenges idols, and develops the servant passages and invitations to receive the LORD's provision.