Isaiah 14:32
New International Version
What answer shall be given to the envoys of that nation? “The LORD has established Zion, and in her his afflicted people will find refuge.”

New Living Translation
What should we tell the Philistine messengers? Tell them, “The LORD has built Jerusalem; its walls will give refuge to his oppressed people.”

English Standard Version
What will one answer the messengers of the nation? “The LORD has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of his people find refuge.”

Berean Standard Bible
What answer will be given to the envoys of that nation? “The LORD has founded Zion, where His afflicted people will find refuge.”

King James Bible
What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.

New King James Version
What will they answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD has founded Zion, And the poor of His people shall take refuge in it.

New American Standard Bible
“What answer will one give the messengers of the nation? That the LORD has founded Zion, And the poor of His people will take refuge in it.”

NASB 1995
“How then will one answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD has founded Zion, And the afflicted of His people will seek refuge in it.”

NASB 1977
“How then will one answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD has founded Zion, And the afflicted of His people will seek refuge in it.”

Legacy Standard Bible
How then will one answer the messengers of the nation? That Yahweh has founded Zion, And the afflicted of His people will take refuge in it.”

Amplified Bible
“Then what answer will one give the messengers of the [Philistine] nation? That the LORD has founded Zion, And the afflicted of His people will seek and find refuge in it.”

Christian Standard Bible
What answer will be given to the messengers from that nation? The LORD has founded Zion, and his oppressed people find refuge in her.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
What answer will be given to the messengers from that nation? The LORD has founded Zion, and His afflicted people find refuge in her.

American Standard Version
What then shall one answer the messengers of the nation? That Jehovah hath founded Zion, and in her shall the afflicted of his people take refuge.

Contemporary English Version
If a messenger comes from a distant nation, you must say: "The LORD built Zion. Even the poorest of his people will find safety there."

English Revised Version
What then shall one answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and in her shall the afflicted of his people take refuge.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
How should we answer the messengers from the nations? [Tell them that] the LORD has laid Zion's foundation, and his humble people will find refuge in it.

Good News Translation
How shall we answer the messengers that come to us from Philistia? We will tell them that the LORD has established Zion and that his suffering people will find safety there.

International Standard Version
How will they answer the messengers of the nation? "The LORD has founded Zion, and in it the afflicted among his people will find refuge."

Majority Standard Bible
What answer will be given to the envoys of that nation? “The LORD has founded Zion, where His afflicted people will find refuge.”

NET Bible
How will they respond to the messengers of this nation? Indeed, the LORD has made Zion secure; the oppressed among his people will find safety in her.

New Heart English Bible
What then is one to answer the messengers of this nation? That the LORD has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of his people will take refuge.

Webster's Bible Translation
What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.

World English Bible
What will they answer the messengers of the nation? That Yahweh has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of his people will take refuge.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And what does one answer the messengers of a nation? That YHWH has founded Zion, "" And the poor of His people take refuge in it!

Young's Literal Translation
And what doth one answer the messengers of a nation? 'That Jehovah hath founded Zion, And in it do the poor of His people trust!'

Smith's Literal Translation
And what shall the messengers of the nations answer? for Jehovah founded Zion, and the humble of his people shall trust in her.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And what shall be answered to the messengers of the nations? That the Lord hath founded Sion, and the poor of his people shall hope in him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And what will be the response to this news among the nations? It will be that the Lord has established Zion, and that the poor of his people will hope in him.

New American Bible
What will one answer the messengers of the nations? “The LORD has established Zion, and in her the afflicted of his people find refuge.”

New Revised Standard Version
What will one answer the messengers of the nation? “The LORD has founded Zion, and the needy among his people will find refuge in her.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
What shall one then answer the messengers of the nations? That the LORD has founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall take refuge in it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And what will he answer the Messenger of the nations? “LORD JEHOVAH repairs the foundations of Zion and the afflicted of his people shall take refuge in it”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
What then shall one answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, And in her shall the afflicted of His people take refuge.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And what shall the kings of the nations answer? That the Lord has founded Sion, and by him the poor of the people shall be saved.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Philistia will be Destroyed
31Wail, O gate! Cry out, O city! Melt away, all you Philistines! For a cloud of smoke comes from the north, and there are no stragglers in its ranks. 32What answer will be given to the envoys of that nation? “The LORD has founded Zion, where His afflicted people will find refuge.”

Cross References
Psalm 87:1-3
A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A song. He has founded His city on the holy mountains. / The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. / Glorious things are ascribed to you, O city of God. Selah

Zechariah 9:9-10
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. / And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem, and the bow of war will be broken. Then He will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.

Matthew 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

Psalm 46:1-3
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. / Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas, / though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah

Obadiah 1:17
But on Mount Zion there will be deliverance, and it will be holy, and the house of Jacob will reclaim their possession.

Joel 3:16
The LORD will roar from Zion and raise His voice from Jerusalem; heaven and earth will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.

Psalm 125:1-2
A song of ascents. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. It cannot be moved; it abides forever. / As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, both now and forevermore.

Micah 4:1-2
In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and the peoples will stream to it. / And many nations will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Romans 9:33
as it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”

Psalm 48:1-3
A song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain. / Beautiful in loftiness, the joy of all the earth, like the peaks of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the great King. / God is in her citadels; He has shown Himself to be a fortress.

Zephaniah 3:16-17
On that day they will say to Jerusalem: “Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands fall limp. / The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Hebrews 12:22-24
Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels / in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, / to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Psalm 102:16
For the LORD will rebuild Zion; He has appeared in His glory.

Isaiah 28:16
So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.

1 Peter 2:6
For it stands in Scripture: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”


Treasury of Scripture

What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD has founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.

shall one

Isaiah 39:1
At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.

2 Samuel 8:10
Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:

2 Kings 20:12
At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.

the Lord

Isaiah 12:6
Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

Isaiah 37:32
For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.

Psalm 87:1,6
A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah. His foundation is in the holy mountains…

and the

Isaiah 11:4
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

Isaiah 25:4
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.

Zephaniah 3:12
I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

trust in it.

Proverbs 18:10
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Matthew 24:15,16
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) …

Hebrews 12:22
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

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Afflicted Builder Envoys Established Find Founded Messengers Nation Poor Refuge Representatives Safe Seek Trust Zion
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Isaiah 14
1. God's merciful restoration of Israel
3. Their triumphant exultation over Babel
24. God's purpose against Assyria
29. Philistia is threatened














What answer will be given
This phrase suggests a response to a question or a situation that demands an explanation. In the context of Isaiah, this is a prophetic message addressing the nations surrounding Israel. The Hebrew root for "answer" (מַעֲנֶה, ma'aneh) implies a response that is not just verbal but also carries authority and finality. Historically, envoys were sent to seek counsel or form alliances, and the answer given here is divinely inspired, indicating that God's wisdom surpasses human diplomacy.

to the envoys
Envoys were official messengers or representatives sent by one nation to another. In ancient times, they played crucial roles in diplomacy and communication between kingdoms. The Hebrew word for "envoys" (מַלְאָכִים, mal'akhim) can also mean "angels" or "messengers," emphasizing the importance and solemnity of their mission. This highlights the seriousness of the message being delivered and the divine authority behind it.

of that nation?
The phrase "that nation" refers to the surrounding nations observing the fate of Israel and Judah. In the historical context, these nations often sought to understand the source of Israel's strength and resilience. The Hebrew term for "nation" (גּוֹי, goy) is often used to describe Gentile nations, indicating that the message is not just for Israel but for all who witness God's work.

The LORD has founded Zion
This declaration is central to the verse, emphasizing God's sovereignty and His establishment of Zion as a place of divine presence and protection. The Hebrew word for "founded" (יָסַד, yasad) conveys the idea of laying a firm foundation, suggesting permanence and stability. Zion, often synonymous with Jerusalem, represents God's chosen place for His people, a symbol of hope and divine promise throughout Scripture.

where His afflicted people
The phrase "His afflicted people" acknowledges the suffering and trials faced by God's people. The Hebrew word for "afflicted" (עָנִי, ani) denotes those who are humble, oppressed, or in distress. This highlights God's compassion and His commitment to providing refuge and relief to those who are marginalized or suffering, reinforcing the theme of divine justice and mercy.

will find refuge
The concept of refuge is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where God is often depicted as a fortress or shelter for His people. The Hebrew word for "refuge" (מַחְסֶה, machseh) implies a place of safety and protection. This assurance of refuge in Zion underscores God's faithfulness and His promise to protect and sustain His people amidst adversity, offering hope and encouragement to believers throughout the ages.

(32) What shall one then answer . . .?--The words obviously imply that the prophet either had received, or expected to receive, a message of inquiry from the Philistines, and that this is his answer. It seems not improbable, indeed, that the series of prophecies that follow were delivered in answer to such inquiries. The fame of the prophet had spread beyond the confines of Israel, and men of different nations came to Jerusalem to consult him. So Jeremiah's oracles are delivered to the ambassadors who came to propose an alliance against Nebuchadnezzar in the time of Zedekiah (Jeremiah 27:3). Commonly, however, the words are referred to the embassies of congratulation, which came with plans of new alliances after the destruction of Sennacherib's army (2Chronicles 32:23).

That the Lord hath founded Zion.--This is the answer to all such inquiries. Zion stands firm and safe in the protection of Jehovah. The "poor" (obviously those of Isaiah 14:30) shall trust (better, shall find refuge) in it. (Comp. Isaiah 28:16.) They need no foreign alliances, no arm of flesh.

Verse 32. - What shall one then answer, etc.? What answer shall be made to the Philistine ambassadors, when they come to Jerusalem and entreat for aid? Simply this - that God has founded and will protect Zion, and that the poor and weak among God's people - whether Jews or Philistines - had better betake themselves to the shelter of the "city of the great King."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
What
וּמַֽה־ (ū·mah-)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

answer will be given
יַּעֲנֶ֖ה (ya·‘ă·neh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

to the envoys
מַלְאֲכֵי־ (mal·’ă·ḵê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

of that nation?
ג֑וֹי (ḡō·w)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

“The LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

has founded
יִסַּ֣ד (yis·saḏ)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3245: To set, to found, to sit down together, settle, consult

Zion,
צִיּ֔וֹן (ṣî·yō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6726: Zion -- a mountain in Jerusalem, also a name for Jerusalem

where His afflicted
עֲנִיֵּ֥י (‘ă·nî·yê)
Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6041: Poor, afflicted, humble

people
עַמּֽוֹ׃ (‘am·mōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

will find refuge.”
יֶחֱס֖וּ (ye·ḥĕ·sū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2620: To flee for, protection, to confide in


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 14:32 What will they answer the messengers (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 14:31
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