Isaiah 24 16

Isaiah 24:16 kjv

From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.

Isaiah 24:16 nkjv

From the ends of the earth we have heard songs: "Glory to the righteous!" But I said, "I am ruined, ruined! Woe to me! The treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously, Indeed, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously."

Isaiah 24:16 niv

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!"

Isaiah 24:16 esv

From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise, of glory to the Righteous One. But I say, "I waste away, I waste away. Woe is me! For the traitors have betrayed, with betrayal the traitors have betrayed."

Isaiah 24:16 nlt

We hear songs of praise from the ends of the earth,
songs that give glory to the Righteous One!
But my heart is heavy with grief.
Weep for me, for I wither away.
Deceit still prevails,
and treachery is everywhere.

Isaiah 24 verses

Isaiah 24 16 Meaning

The verse speaks of a pervasive and dire cry throughout the earth due to injustice and the oppressive actions of the powerful against the vulnerable. It highlights a fundamental corruption of values and governance, leading to a state of desperate lament.

Isaiah 24 16 Context

Isaiah 24 describes a profound devastation and judgment upon the entire earth due to the widespread wickedness of humanity. The chapter presents a picture of cosmic upheaval and the consequences of rebellion against God. This specific verse, verse 16, elaborates on the pervasive nature of the sin that leads to this judgment, specifically highlighting injustice and oppression originating from corrupt leadership and societal structures. The historical context for Isaiah's prophecy involves a time of significant moral decay within both Judah and surrounding nations, where exploitation and inequity were rampant.

Isaiah 24 16 Word Analysis

• "From": Implies an origin or source of the cry.

• "the uttermost part of the earth": (Hebrew: tsel ha'aretz) Denotes the entirety of the earth, reaching to its furthest limits, signifying that the cry is universal. It paints a picture of distress that covers all lands.

• "Songs": (Hebrew: zemiroth) While normally referring to joyful singing or praise, here it is used ironically or in contrast to the sorrow, referring to the dirges and laments. This highlights a perversion of joy into grief.

• "of the righteous": (Hebrew: tsaddiq) Refers to those who are morally upright, just, and favored by God. Their condition evokes a cry of sorrow because of the suffering they endure.

• "But I said": Indicates a personal declaration or conclusion drawn from the observation.

• "My leanness": (Hebrew: chalili) Can signify a wasting away, a depletion of strength or substance. This implies a state of suffering and depletion of well-being.

• "Woe": (Hebrew: hoy) An exclamation of deep sorrow, lament, or divine judgment. It is a prophetic announcement of impending doom or intense suffering.

• "to me": Personalizes the woe, indicating profound distress.

• "a con-/sumption": (Hebrew: kalah) Can mean completion, finished, or destruction. Here it conveys a sense of utter ruin or a consuming affliction.

• "treacherously": (Hebrew: bagod) Implies betrayal, deceit, or acting unfaithfully. This points to a breaking of covenants or trust, particularly by those in positions of power.

• "treacherously deal": Reinforces the pervasive nature of deceit in the dealings of men, especially those who should be upholding justice.

• Word Group Analysis: "From the uttermost part of the earth" emphasizes the universality of the distress. "Songs of the righteous" being turned to lament highlights the reversal of fortune and the suffering of the just. "My leanness, woe is me" expresses personal agony and despair. "A consumption, treacherously deal" identifies the cause as destructive, deceitful, and treacherous dealings, particularly by those who should be righteous.

Isaiah 24 16 Bonus Section

The verse contrasts the outward sounds of suffering with the internal state of the observer. The "songs" represent what should be praise or rejoicing, but have become dirges. This transformation underscores the profound moral and spiritual perversion. The "leanness" and the cry of "Woe is me" point not only to physical hardship but also to a spiritual starvation caused by the absence of justice and faithfulness. The "treacherous dealing" suggests that the distress is not merely random misfortune but is actively caused by human sin, particularly the betrayal of trust by those who were supposed to be guardians of righteousness and societal order. This aligns with prophetic condemnations against corrupt leadership throughout the Old Testament, where leaders often exploited the poor and broke their covenants with God and His people.

Isaiah 24 16 Commentary

This verse vividly portrays a world steeped in sorrow, where even the "songs of the righteous" have been transformed into cries of distress. The prophet observes that from the furthest corners of the earth, a lament arises not from the wicked, but from the upright, whose well-being is depleted by the treacherous actions of others. The declaration "Woe is me" expresses a deep, personal suffering stemming from this pervasive injustice. The "consumption" speaks of a destructive force, driven by "treacherous dealing"—a broken covenant of faithfulness and a betrayal of trust, especially by those who should embody righteousness and uphold justice. This situation reflects a profound spiritual and societal breakdown where the fundamental principles of fairness and integrity have been abandoned.