Isaiah 24:11-21

11 There is a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone;

12 desolation remaineth in the city, and the gate is smitten, -- a ruin.

13 For so will it be in the midst of the land among the peoples, as the shaking of an olive-tree, as the grape-gleanings when the vintage is done.

14 These shall lift up their voice, they shall shout for the majesty of Jehovah, they shall cry aloud from the sea.

15 Therefore glorify Jehovah in the east, the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel, in the isles of the west.

16 From the end of the earth have we heard songs: Glory to the righteous! And I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! The treacherous have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous have dealt very treacherously.

17 Fear, and the pit, and the snare are upon thee, inhabitant of the land.

18 And it shall come to pass, [that] he who fleeth from the sound of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare; for the windows on high are open, and the foundations of the earth shake.

19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is completely dissolved, the earth is violently moved.

20 The earth reeleth to and fro like a drunkard, and is shaken like a night hut; and its transgression is heavy upon it; and it falleth and shall not rise again.

21 And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] Jehovah will punish the host of the high ones on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.

Isaiah 24:11-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 24

This chapter contains a prophecy of calamities that should come upon the whole world, and the inhabitants of it, for their sins; of the preservation of a remnant; of the visitation of the kings of the earth; and of the appearance of Christ in his glory and majesty. The miserable condition of the world, and its inhabitants, especially all within the Romish jurisdiction, is set forth by various phrases, Isa 24:1-4 the causes of which are the transgression and mutation of the laws and ordinances of Christ, Isa 24:5 the effects of which are the cursing and burning of the inhabitants, Isa 24:6 cessation of all joy among them, Isa 24:7-9 and the destruction of their chief city, Rome, Isa 24:10-12 then follows a prophecy of a remnant that shall escape, and be brought into a very comfortable condition, and sing for joy, and glorify God in the midst of the earth, and in the uttermost parts of it, Isa 24:13-16 but it is intimated it shall go ill with others for their perfidy and treachery; fear and danger shall attend them everywhere, Isa 24:16-18 yea, in the issue, the world shall be shaken, and moved and removed, and be utterly dissolved, fall and not rise more, Isa 24:19,20 when the kings and great ones of the earth shall be taken prisoners, and punished by the Lord, Isa 24:21,22 and then Christ shall take to himself his great power, and reign with his people gloriously in the New Jerusalem state, Isa 24:23.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or 'because of the wine.'
• [b]. Or 'in the lands of light.'
• [c]. Or 'the sea.'
• [d]. Or 'end (lit. 'wing') of the land.'
• [e]. Or 'the Righteous One:' singular.
• [f]. See Jer. 48.43; 'fear,' 'pit,' 'snare,' in Hebrew make a play on words.