Isaiah 5 19

Isaiah 5:19 kjv

That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!

Isaiah 5:19 nkjv

That say, "Let Him make speed and hasten His work, That we may see it; And let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, That we may know it."

Isaiah 5:19 niv

to those who say, "Let God hurry; let him hasten his work so we may see it. The plan of the Holy One of Israel? let it approach, let it come into view, so we may know it."

Isaiah 5:19 esv

who say: "Let him be quick, let him speed his work that we may see it; let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near, and let it come, that we may know it!"

Isaiah 5:19 nlt

They even mock God and say,
"Hurry up and do something!
We want to see what you can do.
Let the Holy One of Israel carry out his plan,
for we want to know what it is."

Isaiah 5 verses

Isaiah 5 19 Meaning

This verse pronounces a severe judgment, a "woe," upon individuals who deliberately and actively pursue sin and wickedness. They do so with calculated deceit, metaphorically "drawing iniquity" with weak, deceptive bonds. More profoundly, they dedicate strenuous effort, like pulling a heavy cart with a strong rope, to accumulate and perform sin, signifying their deep-seated, persistent, and perhaps defiant commitment to evil. Their actions demonstrate a perversion where sin becomes a labor undertaken with diligence and strength.

Isaiah 5 19 Context

Isaiah 5:19 stands as the third of six "woes" (or seven, depending on grouping) pronounced by the prophet Isaiah against the kingdom of Judah. This particular woe is directed at those who openly defy God by tempting Him to reveal His judgment, mockingly asking Him to hasten His "work" (judgment) and "purpose" (counsel), as described in the preceding verse (Isa 5:18). The immediate context of Isaiah 5:1-7, the "Song of the Vineyard," establishes God's deep disappointment with His people, Judah, whom He nurtured as a choice vine, expecting righteousness and justice, but finding only oppression and injustice. The subsequent woes, including this verse, detail the specific sins for which God will bring His judgment: greed (5:8-10), drunkenness and revelry (5:11-17), blatant defiance of God (5:18-19), moral perversion (5:20), arrogance (5:21), and injustice by rulers (5:22-23). Historically, Isaiah prophesied during a period of moral decay in Judah (8th century BC) before the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles, when outward prosperity masked deep spiritual corruption, and the people had become calloused to God's warnings.

Isaiah 5 19 Word analysis

• Woe (הוֹי, hôy): A strong exclamation signifying lament, grief, or, most frequently in prophetic literature, a pronouncement of judgment or divine curse. It's a declaration of impending doom due to sinful actions.

• to those who draw (הַמֹּשְׁכִים, hammoškîm): A participle, indicating continuous, active, and deliberate pulling. It implies effort and intention. They are not merely falling into sin but are actively hauling it in or pulling it along.

• iniquity (עָוֹן, ‘āwōn): Refers to sin, guilt, or punishment for sin. The root suggests twistedness or perversity, deviating from a straight path. Here, it denotes their moral corruption and blameworthiness.

• with cords of falsehood (בְּחַבְלֵי־שָׁוְא, bᵉḥavle-šāw’):

  • cords (חֲבָלִים, ḥăvālim): Rope, cord, often thin. It suggests subtle, insidious means.
  • falsehood (שָׁוְא, šāw’): Emptiness, vanity, worthlessness, lies, deception. It implies that their sinful ways are bound by deceit, empty promises, or illusory justifications, making the sin appear harmless or desirable. They use lies to enable and facilitate their wickedness.

• and sin (וְכַעֲבוֹת עֲגָלָה חַטָּאָה, wᵉkha’avoth ‘ăgālāh ḥaṭṭā’āh): The structure here means "and [pull] sin itself as with a cart rope."

  • sin (חַטָּאָה, ḥaṭṭā’āh): Missing the mark, failure, transgression against divine law. This is the very thing they are laboring to produce.

• as with a cart rope! (כַעֲבוֹת עֲגָלָה, kha’avoth ‘ăgālāh):

  • cart rope (עֲבוֹת עֲגָלָה, ‘avoth ‘ăgālāh): A thick, strong rope used for pulling heavy wagons or carts. This imagery denotes immense effort, determination, and strength applied to their sinful pursuits. It escalates the previous image of "cords," implying a substantial, laborious commitment to their wickedness. They exert significant energy to haul along vast quantities or great weights of sin.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "draw iniquity with cords of falsehood": This phrase describes the cunning and deceitful nature of their sin. They don't openly embrace evil; instead, they "draw" or allure themselves into iniquity with flimsy excuses, lies, self-deception, or by twisting truth. It speaks to the initiation and propagation of sin through subtle, false pretenses.
  • "and sin as with a cart rope!": This phrase intensifies the preceding image. It indicates a progression from deceitful initiation to strenuous, purposeful engagement with sin. Their sin is not a light burden or an accidental stumble but a heavy, deliberate, and sustained labor. It suggests that sin has become a defining characteristic and a central pursuit for them, requiring great energy and commitment. This demonstrates not just a tolerance for sin, but an active, even eager, striving for it on a grand scale.

Isaiah 5 19 Bonus section

• Escalation of Sin: The imagery beautifully illustrates the progressive nature of sin – from subtle deception (cords of falsehood) to massive, deliberate effort (cart rope). What might begin as a small deceitful act or justification for sin escalates into a powerful, consuming, and laborious pattern of wickedness.
• Active Pursuit: This verse emphasizes human agency in sin. It is not something that just happens to them; they actively "draw" and "pull" it into their lives with conscious effort and dedication. Sin is chosen, pursued, and integrated into their being.
• Defiance and Mockery: This specific woe, when read with Isaiah 5:18, reveals a defiant spirit that challenges God. These individuals are so deeply entrenched in their sin that they scornfully invite God's judgment, as if it were too slow in coming. This signifies a profound hardening of hearts against divine truth and a complete disregard for God's holy character.
• Work of Wickedness: By comparing the pursuit of sin to the laborious work of pulling a cart, the prophet implies that sin has become their purpose, their "vocation." This highlights a perversion of divine intention, as human effort, which should be directed toward God's glory and righteousness, is instead bent toward wickedness.

Isaiah 5 19 Commentary

Isaiah 5:19 vividly portrays the alarming spiritual condition of those upon whom this woe falls. They are depicted not as individuals who passively succumb to temptation, but as active participants, even architects, of their own moral decay. The imagery unfolds progressively: initially, they draw sin in using the flimsy, deceptive "cords of falsehood," suggesting a subtle, manipulative, or self-deceiving approach to their initial forays into wrongdoing. They use lies to rationalize or cloak their iniquity. However, this subtly transforms into a powerful, overt, and laborious engagement with sin, as depicted by the "cart rope" – a robust tool for heavy hauling. This second image underscores a profound commitment to evil, indicating that sin has become their primary "work," requiring substantial effort, planning, and resolve. It speaks to a deep, intentional immersion in wickedness, signifying not just indulgence in sin, but a disciplined and dedicated pursuit of it. Their actions betray a profound spiritual blindness and a defiant heart that has become utterly enslaved to sin, working tirelessly to advance its kingdom in their lives and society. They are hardened and audacious in their rebellion, going so far as to challenge God Himself to act, reflecting the mockery of His anticipated judgment mentioned in the prior verse.