Isaiah 24:8-18

8 The joyful timbrels are stilled, the noise of the revelers has stopped, the joyful harp is silent.
9 No longer do they drink wine with a song; the beer is bitter to its drinkers.
10 The ruined city lies desolate; the entrance to every house is barred.
11 In the streets they cry out for wine; all joy turns to gloom, all joyful sounds are banished from the earth.
12 The city is left in ruins, its gate is battered to pieces.
13 So will it be on the earth and among the nations, as when an olive tree is beaten, or as when gleanings are left after the grape harvest.
14 They raise their voices, they shout for joy; from the west they acclaim the LORD’s majesty.
15 Therefore in the east give glory to the LORD; exalt the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea.
16 From the ends of the earth we hear singing: “Glory to the Righteous One.” But I said, “I waste away, I waste away! Woe to me! The treacherous betray! With treachery the treacherous betray!”
17 Terror and pit and snare await you, people of the earth.
18 Whoever flees at the sound of terror will fall into a pit; whoever climbs out of the pit will be caught in a snare. The floodgates of the heavens are opened, the foundations of the earth shake.

Isaiah 24:8-18 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.

Cross References 39

  • 1. S Genesis 31:27; S Isaiah 5:12
  • 2. Jeremiah 7:34; Jeremiah 16:9; Jeremiah 25:10; Jeremiah 33:11; Hosea 2:11
  • 3. S Isaiah 5:14; S Isaiah 21:5
  • 4. S Psalms 137:2; Revelation 18:22
  • 5. Lamentations 5:14; Ezekiel 26:13
  • 6. Isaiah 5:11,22
  • 7. Isaiah 5:20
  • 8. Isaiah 25:2; Isaiah 26:5
  • 9. S Genesis 1:2; S Isaiah 6:11
  • 10. S Psalms 144:14
  • 11. Lamentations 2:12
  • 12. S Isaiah 15:6; Isaiah 16:10; Isaiah 32:13; Jeremiah 14:3
  • 13. S Isaiah 19:18
  • 14. S Isaiah 3:26; S Isaiah 13:2
  • 15. S Deuteronomy 30:4; S Isaiah 17:6
  • 16. Obadiah 1:5; Micah 7:1
  • 17. S Isaiah 12:6
  • 18. Isaiah 43:5; Isaiah 49:12
  • 19. S Psalms 113:3
  • 20. Isaiah 42:12; Isaiah 66:19; 2 Thessalonians 1:12
  • 21. S Exodus 15:2; Isaiah 25:3; Isaiah 59:19; Malachi 1:11
  • 22. S Isaiah 12:4
  • 23. S Isaiah 11:11
  • 24. S Psalms 48:10
  • 25. S Psalms 65:8
  • 26. Isaiah 28:5; Isaiah 60:1,19
  • 27. S Ezra 9:15
  • 28. S Leviticus 26:39
  • 29. 1 Samuel 4:8; S Isaiah 5:8; Jeremiah 10:19; Jeremiah 45:3
  • 30. S Psalms 25:3
  • 31. Isaiah 21:2; Isaiah 33:1; Jeremiah 3:6,20; Jeremiah 5:11; Jeremiah 9:2; Hosea 5:7; Hosea 9:1
  • 32. Deuteronomy 32:23-25
  • 33. Isaiah 8:14; Jeremiah 48:43
  • 34. Luke 21:35
  • 35. S Job 20:24
  • 36. Isaiah 42:22
  • 37. S Job 18:9; S Isaiah 8:14; Lamentations 3:47; Ezekiel 12:13
  • 38. S Genesis 7:11
  • 39. S Judges 5:4; S Job 9:6; S Psalms 11:3; S Ezekiel 38:19; Psalms 18:7
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