Isaiah 24:5 kjv
The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
Isaiah 24:5 nkjv
The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, Because they have transgressed the laws, Changed the ordinance, Broken the everlasting covenant.
Isaiah 24:5 niv
The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant.
Isaiah 24:5 esv
The earth lies defiled under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.
Isaiah 24:5 nlt
The earth suffers for the sins of its people,
for they have twisted God's instructions,
violated his laws,
and broken his everlasting covenant.
Isaiah 24 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 24:5 | The earth is defiled by its inhabitants, for they have transgressed the laws, failed to keep the statutes, and broken the everlasting covenant. | Old Testament - General |
| Genesis 1:28 | God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over..." | Original Mandate, Corruption Begins |
| Genesis 6:5 | The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was wicked all the time. | Universal Sinfulness |
| Genesis 6:11 | Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight and was full of violence. | Widespread Corruption |
| Exodus 19:5 | Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession... | Covenant Relationship |
| Exodus 20:1-17 | The Ten Commandments. | Divine Law, Covenant stipulations |
| Deuteronomy 4:26 | I call the heavens and the earth to witness against you today that you will quickly perish from the land that you are about to cross the Jordan to occupy. | Covenant Consequences |
| Deuteronomy 28:15-68 | Consequences of Disobedience. | Covenant Judgments |
| Joshua 23:15-16 | "Just as the LORD your God has brought all these good things on you, so he will bring on you all such disasters until he has destroyed you..." | Covenant Warnings |
| 2 Samuel 7:12-16 | God's covenant with David. | Everlasting Covenant Aspect |
| 1 Kings 18:18 | Elijah confronts Ahab about forsaking the LORD and following the Baals. | Broken Covenant |
| Psalm 89:34 | ...but I will not revoke my covenant or alter the spoken word from my lips. | Covenant Perseverance |
| Jeremiah 2:9 | "Therefore I bring my case against you," declares the LORD, "and against your descendants I will bring my case." | Accusation of Disloyalty |
| Jeremiah 11:3-5 | The covenant God made with their fathers. | Transgressing Covenant |
| Jeremiah 31:31-32 | "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant..." | New Covenant Fulfillment |
| Ezekiel 22:26 | Her priests do violence to my law and profan its holy things... | Defiling Laws |
| Daniel 9:11 | All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey you. | Disobedience |
| Hosea 8:1 | Put the trumpet to your lips! An eagle is swooping down on the house of the LORD because they have broken my covenant and rebelled against my law. | Covenant Breach |
| Amos 5:24 | But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! | Righteousness and Justice Expected |
| Micah 6:8 | He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. | God's Requirements |
| Matthew 21:43 | Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. | Rejection of Covenant People |
| Acts 7:51 | You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are resisting the Holy Spirit just as your ancestors did. | Persistent Rebellion |
| Romans 2:25-27 | For obedience that comes from circumcision will be counted as uncircumcised. ...But the one who is truly a Jew is the one who is the best on the inside... | True Obedience |
| Romans 10:4 | Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. | Fulfillment of Law |
| Hebrews 8:7-12 | The superiority of the New Covenant. | New Covenant Contrast |
| 1 Peter 1:15-16 | But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." | Call to Holiness |
| Revelation 18:2-3 | Babylon the Great is fallen! For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her... | Corruption and Spiritual Adultery |
Isaiah 24 verses
Isaiah 24 5 Meaning
The earth is corrupted and ruined by its inhabitants because they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, and broken the everlasting covenant.
Isaiah 24 5 Context
Isaiah 24 is often referred to as the "Little Apocalypse." It describes a global judgment of God upon the earth for its widespread sinfulness and rebellion. This chapter paints a grim picture of the devastation that will come upon all nations as a result of humanity's persistent rejection of God's ways. The specific verse, Isaiah 24:5, serves as the reason for this impending judgment, identifying the root causes of the earth's ruin. Historically, this prophecy would have resonated with the people of Israel during a time when they were struggling with idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness, while also warning the surrounding Gentile nations about their own transgressions against divine order. The "everlasting covenant" can refer to the foundational covenant with creation established at its beginning, the Mosaic covenant with Israel, or foreshadow the new covenant in Christ.
Isaiah 24 5 Word analysis
- כִּי (ki): This Hebrew particle is very common and functions as "for," "because," or "that." It introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding statement. Here, it clearly links the defiled state of the earth to the actions of its inhabitants.
- חִלְּלָה (ḥilləlah): From the root חָלַל (ḥalal), meaning "to defile," "to pollute," "to profane," or "to desecrate." The verb is in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action, emphasizing that the earth has been defiled. This defilement is not merely physical but moral and spiritual.
- הָאָרֶץ (hā’āreṣ): "the earth." The definite article "ha-" signifies a specific, known earth. It refers to the entire planet, the sphere of human habitation, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's judgment.
- בְּנֵי (bənē): From בֵּן (bēn), meaning "son of," used here in a collective sense to mean "inhabitants" or "dwellers." It refers to humanity as the culpable agents.
- יוֹשְׁבֶיהָ (yōšəḇêhā): From the verb יָשַׁב (yāšaḇ), meaning "to dwell" or "to sit." It means "its inhabitants" or "its dwellers," referring back to "the earth." It highlights the responsibility of those living on the earth.
- כִּי (ki): Again, the conjunction "because," providing further explanation for the defilement.
- עָבְרוּ (’āḇərū): From the verb עָבַר (’āḇar), meaning "to transgress," "to pass over," "to go beyond." Here, it signifies violating laws and exceeding boundaries set by God.
- תּוֹרָה (tōrāh): "law," "instruction," "commandment." This refers to God's revealed will and statutes, the fundamental principles of His order.
- שָׁמְרוּ (šāmerū): From the verb שָׁמַר (šāmar), meaning "to keep," "to guard," "to observe." The sense here is "they failed to keep," due to the negative implication within the overall sentence structure and the following verb.
- חֹק (ḥōq): "statute," "ordinance," "decree." These are specific divine regulations and established rules for living.
- וַיּפֶּר (wayəppēer): From the verb פָּרַר (pārar), meaning "to break," "to make void," "to nullify." The "wa-" prefix here denotes a sequence of actions. The verse emphasizes active violation and annulment.
- בְּרִית (bəryt): "covenant." This is a formal agreement, a bond sealed between parties, in this context, between God and His creation or His people.
- עוֹלָם (’ōlām): "everlasting," "eternal." This adjective modifies "covenant," indicating a covenant of perpetual duration and significance.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "transgressed the laws, failed to keep the statutes": This pair highlights a comprehensive violation of God's governance. It encompasses both active rebellion against clear commands ("transgressed laws") and passive neglect or disregard for His prescribed way of life ("failed to keep statutes"). The parallelism emphasizes the thoroughness of their disobedience.
- "broken the everlasting covenant": This is the ultimate consequence of their actions. The covenant signifies God's ordered relationship and promises, established from the beginning and intended to be enduring. Breaking it implies a complete rejection of God's established order, His authority, and the bond of fellowship He intended. It is the deepest level of apostasy.
Isaiah 24 5 Bonus Section
The concept of the "everlasting covenant" in this verse can be understood on multiple levels. It could refer to:
- The covenant with Noah, a universal promise of preservation and establishment of order after the flood (Gen 9).
- The covenant with Abraham, establishing a chosen lineage and a promise of blessing to the nations through his descendants (Gen 12, 15, 17).
- The Mosaic covenant, establishing Israel as God's people under specific laws and commands (Ex 19-24).
- It also strongly foreshadows the New Covenant established in Jesus Christ, which offers forgiveness and a transformed heart, making obedience possible through divine enablement (Jer 31:31-34, Heb 8:7-12).
The corruption described is not merely external but stems from internal rebellion against God's established ways, impacting the entire earth as a consequence of human sin and God's ultimate judgment upon it. The verse's proclamation emphasizes that God's judgment is not arbitrary but a direct, predictable consequence of breaking His foundational, unbreakable covenant.
Isaiah 24 5 Commentary
This verse reveals the foundational cause for the global devastation described in Isaiah 24. The corruption is not an accident but a direct result of human choices. Humanity's pervasive sin manifests as a fundamental rejection of God's moral and spiritual order, outlined in His laws and statutes. By "transgressing the laws" and "failing to keep the statutes," people actively dismantle the framework God provided for a just and ordered society. The ultimate sin, however, is "breaking the everlasting covenant." This signifies a fundamental breach of relationship and commitment with God, implying a rejection of His authority and His intended purpose for creation and humanity. The use of "everlasting" underscores the enduring nature of God's covenantal relationship and the severe consequence of its violation, impacting the very fabric of existence.