Isaiah 24 13

Isaiah 24:13 kjv

When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, there shall be as the shaking of an olive tree, and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done.

Isaiah 24:13 nkjv

When it shall be thus in the midst of the land among the people, It shall be like the shaking of an olive tree, Like the gleaning of grapes when the vintage is done.

Isaiah 24:13 niv

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.

Isaiah 24:13 esv

For thus it shall be in the midst of the earth among the nations, as when an olive tree is beaten, as at the gleaning when the grape harvest is done.

Isaiah 24:13 nlt

Throughout the earth the story is the same ?
only a remnant is left,
like the stray olives left on the tree
or the few grapes left on the vine after harvest.

Isaiah 24 verses

Isaiah 24 13 meaning

Isaiah 24:13 vividly describes the profound and extensive desolation that will afflict the earth. The verse employs two agricultural similes—the shaking of an olive tree and the gleaning of grapes—to illustrate that after the global judgment, only a tiny, sparse remnant of humanity will remain, similar to the few fruits left after a thorough harvest. This remnant is scattered across the earth among the nations, signifying a universal rather than a localized calamity, emphasizing both the severity of the judgment and the scarcity of survivors.

Isaiah 24 13 Context

Isaiah 24:13 is part of a prophetic section often called the "Little Apocalypse" (chapters 24-27) within the book of Isaiah. This segment transitions from prophecies primarily concerning Judah and surrounding nations to a sweeping, cosmic vision of universal judgment upon the whole earth and its inhabitants. The chapter vividly portrays a world turned upside down, cursed, and stripped bare due to the sin and transgression of its people, reflecting humanity's breach of God's eternal covenant. Verse 13 specifically describes the global outcome of this judgment: a scene of desolation so complete that only a very few people remain, scattered and scarce, just as a few fruits remain after a comprehensive harvest. This judgment is presented as a global outpouring of divine wrath against human rebellion and unrighteousness, demonstrating God's ultimate sovereignty over all creation and all nations, irrespective of their specific geopolitical situation in Isaiah's contemporary time.

Isaiah 24 13 Word analysis

• For thus (כִּי־כֹה / ki-kho): This introductory phrase links the verse directly to the preceding description of utter devastation. "For" indicates a reason or explanation, while "thus" points back to the severity of the coming events. It signifies the established decree or certainty of the judgment's nature.
• it shall be (יִהְיֶה / yi-hyeh): A verb in the imperfect tense, denoting future action and certainty. It communicates divine assurance that these events are decreed and will undeniably come to pass, not merely a possibility.
• in the midst of (בְּקֶ֣רֶב / be-qerev): Implies a central, pervasive, and inescapable condition. It indicates that the judgment will affect all areas, making it comprehensive rather than confined to specific locations.
• the earth (הָאָ֑רֶץ / ha'a-retz): Denotes the entire globe, encompassing all land and human dwelling. Its inclusion signifies the universal, global scope of God's judgment, affecting not just Judah but all humanity and creation.
• among the nations (בְּת֥וֹךְ הָעַמִּ֖ים / be-tokh ha'amim): This phrase specifies and reinforces the universal scope. It makes clear that the desolation is not limited to Israel or a particular region but extends to all peoples, highlighting the pervasive nature of sin and the comprehensive reach of God's justice.
• as the shaking of an olive tree (כְּנֹ֣קֶף זַ֗יִת / ke-noqef za-yit): This is the first agricultural simile. "Shaking" (נוֹקֵף / noqef) refers to the ancient practice of beating or shaking olive trees to dislodge their fruit, primarily after the main harvest. Only the most difficult-to-reach or sparse olives would remain. "Olive tree" (זַ֣יִת / zayit) represents sustenance and prosperity. This imagery conveys extreme scarcity; only a very small, difficult-to-gather portion of people will be left after the intense divine judgment.
• as the gleaning of grapes (כְּעוֹלֵל֥וֹת בָּצִ֖יר / ke-'ol'lelot ba-tzir): The second agricultural simile. "Gleaning" (עוֹלֵל֥וֹת / 'ol'lelot) refers to the few, scattered grapes remaining on the vine after the primary vintage harvest, traditionally left for the poor or sojourner. "Grapes/harvest" (בָּצִ֖יר / ba-tzir) signifies the conclusion of a productive cycle. This image further emphasizes the minuscule number of survivors after a thorough divine "harvest" or judgment has swept over the earth.
• when the grape harvest is done (יִגָּמֵֽר / yiggamer): This reinforces the thoroughness of the harvest/judgment. It specifies that the situation of scarcity arises after the main, destructive work of God's judgment has been completed, leaving behind only the most minimal remnants.

Isaiah 24 13 Bonus section

This verse functions as a powerful metaphor for the concept of the "remnant" throughout biblical prophecy. While the immediate context is one of judgment and destruction, the very existence of a remnant—no matter how small—carries significant theological weight. It demonstrates God's consistent practice of preserving a faithful core even amidst widespread apostasy or devastation. This principle is not only about numerical survival but about the continuation of God's covenant purpose. The sparse "gleanings" suggest that those who remain do so by divine grace and sovereign election, not by human strength or merit. Furthermore, the universal scope of the judgment implied here extends beyond merely physical devastation, touching on the spiritual desolation of humanity. Yet, within this, the faithful remnant serves as a seed for a new beginning, ultimately fulfilled in the work of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom which includes people from every nation, tongue and tribe, emphasizing a redemptive aspect even in the severest judgments.

Isaiah 24 13 Commentary

Isaiah 24:13 serves as a grim and potent summary of the worldwide desolation detailed in the preceding verses. The repeated use of agrarian imagery, "the shaking of an olive tree" and "the gleaning of grapes," was highly evocative for an ancient audience and powerfully communicates a state of extreme scarcity. This is not merely a partial affliction; it signifies a comprehensive judgment so thorough that only a negligible number of survivors will remain. The dual imagery reinforces this idea, showing that after God's full and complete work of judgment on the earth and its inhabitants, what is left is pitiably little. The reference to "the earth" and "the nations" highlights the universal scope of this judgment, contrasting with many prophecies focused on specific peoples. This verse assures the certainty and severity of God's global justice for the sin-cursed world while simultaneously hinting at the mysterious preservation of a remnant. This remnant, however small and scattered, foreshadows future hope, as those few "gleanings" become a source of ultimate restoration and praise to God.