Isaiah 16:3 Meaning and Explanation
“Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →An appeal to provide refuge and protection to the displaced, hiding them from their pursuers.
The Context of Isaiah 16:3
A direct moral plea for justice and compassionate shelter during a humanitarian crisis.
What Does Isaiah 16:3 Mean?
The plea addresses someone with the power to grant mercy and asylum. The language shifts from description to urgent command—requesting shelter for the dispossessed. Making a shadow in noonday is an image of providing cover and sanctuary when danger is most visible and unavoidable.
To hide outcasts and not reveal wanderers means extending mercy despite risk. This speaks to the moral weight of hospitality when refugees are fleeing violence. The appeal recognizes that justice and mercy are acts of volition—they must be chosen and executed deliberately.
Isaiah 16:3 in the Original Language
bewray (בִּגַּד) — to expose or reveal; here to betray by disclosure. Moab asks not to be betrayed to their enemies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 16:3
What does Isaiah 16:3 mean?
An appeal to provide refuge and protection to the displaced, hiding them from their pursuers.
What is the context of Isaiah 16:3?
A direct moral plea for justice and compassionate shelter during a humanitarian crisis.