Albert Barnes Commentary Isaiah 3:12

"As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they that lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths." — Isaiah 3:12 (ASV)

As for my people, children are their oppressors – This undoubtedly refers to their civil rulers. Those who “ought” to have been their “protectors,” oppressed them by heavy taxes and burdens.

However, it has been a question whether this means that the rulers of the people were “literally” minors, or that they were so in “disposition and character.”

The original word (מעולל me‛ôlēl) is in the singular number and means a “child,” or an infant. It may, however, be taken collectively as a noun of multitude, or as denoting more than one.

It cannot easily be determined to whom reference is made here, but possibly to “Ahaz,” who began to reign when he was twenty years old (2 Kings 16:2). Alternatively, it may mean that the “character” of the princes and rulers was that of inexperienced children, unqualified for government.

Are their oppressors – literally, ‘are their exactors,’ or their “taxers” – the collectors of the revenue.

And women rule over them – This is not to be taken literally. It means either that the rulers were under the influence of the “harem,” or the females of the court, or that they were effeminate and lacking vigor and manliness in counsel. The Septuagint and the Chaldee render this verse substantially alike: ‘Thy exactors strip my people as they who gather the grapes strip the vineyard.’

They which lead you – Hebrew: “They who bless you, or call you blessed.” (See the margin.) This undoubtedly refers to the public teachers and the false prophets, who “blessed” or flattered the people, and who promised them safety in their sins.

Cause you to err – Lead you astray, or lead you into sin and danger.

And destroy – Hebrew: “Swallow up.”