John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 3:6

"When a man shall take hold of his brother in the house of his father, [saying], Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and let this ruin be under thy hand;" — Isaiah 3:6 (ASV)

When every man shall take hold of his brother. Since this verse is closely connected with the former and proceeds without interruption as far as the phrase he shall swear, the particle כי (ki) is evidently taken as an adverb of time. For Isaiah, intending to express the extreme wretchedness of the people, says that there will be no one who will undertake to govern them, even if he were asked to do so. Unquestionably, ambition prevails among people to such an extent that many are always eager to contend for power and try to obtain it even at the risk of their lives. In every age, the whole world has been convulsed by the desire to obtain kingly power; and there is not a community so insignificant that it does not contain men who willingly undertake to become rulers. All this proves that humans are creatures who desire honor.

Therefore, it follows that everything is in a deplorable condition when that dignity is not only despised but obstinately rejected. For the mournful calamity has reached its lowest depth when that which people naturally desire with the greatest eagerness is universally rejected.

Isaiah mentions other aggravating circumstances, tending to show that the Jews will rather set aside every feeling of humanity and compassion than undertake the office of rulers. If someone refuses to rule foreign nations, it will not perhaps be thought so surprising; but when the preservation of their kinsmen is in question, it is extremely unkind to decline the honorable office.

It is therefore a proof that matters are utterly desperate when the office of ruler is disdainfully rejected by the man to whom his kinsmen appeal, pleading for his support and throwing themselves on his protection.

Now, since princes are commonly selected on account of their wealth, or at least, royal power is not usually bestowed on anyone who does not have a moderate share of riches—lest poverty should expose them to contempt and reproach, or drive them to unworthy means of gain—he also adds this circumstance: that even though they are able to bear the burden, they still will not accept it. It is as if he had said, “Not only the common people but also the nobles and the wealthy decline the task of government.”

The phrase take hold is also emphatic, for it means to “lay hands” on a person. It is as if Isaiah had said that those who wish to obtain a prince will not use flatteries and pleas, but will proceed with disorder and violence to seize someone and try to compel him to occupy the throne.

Let this ruin be under thy hand. This last circumstance is no less weighty. The meaning is, “At least if you have any compassion or humanity, do not fail to help us in our extreme wretchedness.” For when a multitude of people, like a scattered flock, lamenting with tears their ruinous condition, implore the protection of a shepherd, he who will not extend a helping hand must have a heart as hard as iron. Some translate it as if, by a figure of speech (hypallage), one word had been put for another: Let thy hand be under this ruin; that is, for the sake of upholding it.