Isaiah 28 15

Isaiah 28:15 kjv

Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:

Isaiah 28:15 nkjv

Because you have said, "We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we are in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, It will not come to us, For we have made lies our refuge, And under falsehood we have hidden ourselves."

Isaiah 28:15 niv

You boast, "We have entered into a covenant with death, with the realm of the dead we have made an agreement. When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by, it cannot touch us, for we have made a lie our refuge and falsehood our hiding place."

Isaiah 28:15 esv

Because you have said, "We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have an agreement, when the overwhelming whip passes through it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have taken shelter";

Isaiah 28:15 nlt

You boast, "We have struck a bargain to cheat death
and have made a deal to dodge the grave.
The coming destruction can never touch us,
for we have built a strong refuge made of lies and deception."

Isaiah 28 verses

Isaiah 28 15 Meaning

The verse speaks of a covenant made with death, a pact with the grave. It asserts that this alliance will be found to be a lie, a deceitful refuge that ultimately will not save those who have sought shelter in it. The consequence is that when the "overflowing scourge" of God's judgment passes through, it will crush and overwhelm them.

Isaiah 28 15 Context

Isaiah chapter 28 is a prophecy directed primarily at the northern kingdom of Israel, specifically the kingdom of Judah and its leaders in Jerusalem. It condemns their arrogance, false reliance on superficial covenants, and their turning to sorcery and humanistic philosophies for security rather than to the Lord. They sought alliances and trusts that were built on lies and would ultimately fail them when God's judgment, described as an overflowing scourge, arrived. The verse itself highlights the specific nature of their misplaced trust: they believed they had secured themselves against divine wrath, making agreements with death and the grave.

Isaiah 28 15 Word Analysis

• "Because" (כִּי - ki): This is a causal conjunction, indicating the reason for the following statement. It signals the basis for the coming judgment.
• "ye" (אַתֶּם - atem): Refers to the proud and boastful leaders of Judah.
• "have said" (אָמַרְתֶּם - amartem): They have spoken this assertion, articulating their false security and pride.
• "We have made" (עָשִׂינוּ - asinu): This emphasizes their active participation in establishing this delusory pact.
• "a covenant" (בְרִית - berit): A solemn agreement, a binding promise or treaty. In this context, it's a self-serving agreement they believe is foolproof.
• "with death" (מְוָת - maveth): This likely represents the ultimate consequence of sin and divine judgment.
• "and" (וְ - we): Connects "death" with the next term.
• "with the grave" (שְׁאוֹל - she'ol): Sheol is the Hebrew concept of the underworld, the abode of the dead, often associated with darkness and punishment. Their covenant is with the cessation of life and the place of the departed.
• "with" (עִם - im): Another preposition indicating association.
• "hell": The Hebrew word is she'ol.

Group Analysis:

• "made a covenant with death, and with hell": This phrase is a striking personification and a stark illustration of their desperate, yet foolish, attempt to circumvent God's judgment. They believed they had outmaneuvered divine retribution, striking a deal with the very forces that should have been feared and avoided through obedience to God. It's a sophisticated form of self-deception, relying on human ingenuity and worldly alliances over faith in God.

Isaiah 28 15 Bonus Section

The idea of making a covenant with death was not uncommon in ancient Near Eastern thought, where people might seek magical means or appeasement of underworld deities to protect themselves from premature death or its horrors. However, Isaiah presents this as a particular spiritual folly unique to those who, despite having knowledge of the true God, turn to deceptive substitutes. The "overflowing scourge" is a metaphor for an unstoppable invading army, likely the Assyrians or Babylonians, who would utterly devastate their land, revealing the hollowness of their claimed protection. This also echoes in the New Testament's understanding of Christ as the true cornerstone of God's salvific plan, against which all other foundations, including any reliance on one's own righteousness or worldly power, will ultimately crumble.

Isaiah 28 15 Commentary

This verse paints a vivid picture of ultimate spiritual delusion. The leaders of Judah, instead of seeking God's protection through righteousness and a true covenant with Him, boast of having made secret, protective pacts with forces beyond human control – death and the grave. This is a sophisticated form of atheistic humanism or paganistic magical thinking, where they believe they have found a way to neutralize the consequences of their sin and unfaithfulness through their own means. However, the prophet declares this covenant to be a lie. Their refuge is not a refuge at all, but a deceptive scheme that will ultimately be swept away by the irresistible flood of divine judgment. The underlying message is a powerful warning against any reliance on human systems, alliances, or wisdom that bypasses or contradicts God's established order and His promise of salvation through His chosen means, foreshadowed by the "foundation stone" mentioned in the next verse.