What Does Isaiah 3:7 Mean in the King James?
In 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.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The “healer” here is literally a binder, and he refuses the role because his own house has no bread or clothing.
THE MEANING
The person being pressed into rule says his house has neither bread nor clothing. “Healer” carries the image of one who binds or wraps, making the refusal a refusal of hands-on repair when even his household lacks basic provision.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Being called to repair a community does not supply the provisions or capacity missing at home.
THE ROOT
חֹבֵשׁ
ḥōvēš
GROWS FROM
חבש
To bind or wrap; the same verb can also mean to saddle an animal.
The Hebrew word pictures someone who binds or wraps, the concrete work behind the role translated “healer.” The same root appears in binding wounds and saddling an animal, while the speaker points to the lack of bread and clothing in his own house.
ALSO GROWS
ḥubbāšû: The wounds are described as not having been bound up.
חֻבָּשׁוּ
It names the same work as חֹבֵשׁ: binding what is wounded.
vayyaḥăvōš: Abraham saddles his donkey.
וַיַּחֲבֹשׁ
The root’s image of securing or binding extends beyond wounds to practical preparation.
THE PATTERN
Repair is concrete work that binds what is wounded and depends on the means to tend it.
From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.THE THREAD
From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.Isaiah 1:6 uses the same חבש root in “bound up,” describing wounds left without that care. Isaiah 3:7 gives the binder a human role he refuses, tying the need for repair to the lack of provision in his own house.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us