Isaiah 65 4

Isaiah 65:4 kjv

Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;

Isaiah 65:4 nkjv

Who sit among the graves, And spend the night in the tombs; Who eat swine's flesh, And the broth of abominable things is in their vessels;

Isaiah 65:4 niv

who sit among the graves and spend their nights keeping secret vigil; who eat the flesh of pigs, and whose pots hold broth of impure meat;

Isaiah 65:4 esv

who sit in tombs, and spend the night in secret places; who eat pig's flesh, and broth of tainted meat is in their vessels;

Isaiah 65:4 nlt

At night they go out among the graves,
worshiping the dead.
They eat the flesh of pigs
and make stews with other forbidden foods.

Isaiah 65 verses

Isaiah 65 4 Meaning

This verse describes a future judgment pronounced by God upon a specific group of people. It signifies a divine declaration of wrath, where God's anger is unleashed upon those who have deliberately provoked Him. This judgment involves a destructive visitation, highlighting the severity of their sins and the righteous indignation of the Lord.

Isaiah 65 4 Context

This verse is part of a larger prophecy in Isaiah 65 that describes a vision of new heavens and a new earth. However, before the promise of restoration and blessing for God's faithful remnant, Isaiah details the judgment and punishment that will befall those who have rebelled against God. Specifically, chapter 65 contrasts the fate of the disobedient with the blessings awaiting the obedient. The preceding verses in chapter 65 speak of God stretching out His hand to a people who continuously provoke Him and offer sacrifices in gardens and burn incense on bricks, revealing a pattern of persistent sin and idolatrous worship. This verse, therefore, describes the people who are the recipients of this imminent judgment, highlighting their particular transgressions.

Isaiah 65 4 Word Analysis

• "who" (asher - אָשֶׁר): Relative pronoun, introducing a description of a specific group.
• "sit" (yoshebh - יוֹשֵׁב): Present participle of "yashebh" (ישב), meaning to dwell, reside, or continue to stay. Here, it emphasizes a settled practice or habit of being in certain places.
• "in tombs" (beqobroth - בַּקְּבָרֹת): Preposition "bĕ" (ב) meaning "in" or "at," combined with "qĕbōrōth" (קְבָרֹת), the plural of "qĕbōr" (קֶבֶר), meaning grave or tomb. This suggests proximity to or presence in places associated with the dead, possibly linked to necromancy or pagan rituals.
• "and" (wĕ- - וְ): Conjunction, connecting phrases or clauses.
• "lodge" (chōnāh - חוֹנָה): Verb, indicating to camp, sojourn, or abide. Used here in conjunction with "night watches," suggesting nighttime activities or dwelling.
• "in" (ba - בָּ): Preposition "bĕ" (ב).
• "night watches" ( Lashmōrōth la yəlâ - לְשַׁמְרֹת לֵילָה): Literally "for the watches of night." Refers to periods of guarding or staying awake during the night. It might imply secretive nocturnal activities, perhaps associated with divination or idolatrous practices, where one would be alert or engaged.
• "who" (asher - אָשֶׁר): Relative pronoun.
• "eat" (ochlîm - אֹכְלִים): Present participle of "achál" (אָכַל), meaning to eat. Highlights their regular consumption of specific foods.
• "pig's flesh" (shĕqûṣ çîr - שְׁקּוּץ צִיר): "Shĕqûṣ" (שְׁקּוּץ) refers to an abomination, detestable thing, often related to idolatry. "Çîr" (צִיר) can mean broth, stew, or sauce, or it could refer to a kind of pastry or curd. Combined, it indicates the consumption of meat from an animal declared unclean, or perhaps food prepared with a detestable substance. In the context of Hebrew dietary laws, the pig was explicitly forbidden (Leviticus 11:7).
• "and" (wĕ- - וְ): Conjunction.
• "broth" (mĕraqqâch - מְרַקָּח): Refers to a thick broth, soup, or sauce, often suggesting something seasoned or made from fats or rendered materials.
• "of" (me - מִ): Preposition, indicating origin or composition.
• "abominable things" (abominable things - שְׁקוּצֵיהֶם): The plural of "shĕqûṣ" (שְׁקּוּצִים), again meaning abominations or detestable things. This further emphasizes the ritual impurity and forbidden nature of their meals.
• "is in" (yeśach qêllah - יֵשׁ גֶּקֶלָּה): "Yeśach" (יש) often indicates existence or presence. "Yĕqĕlah" (יֶקֶלָּה) can mean a vessel or pot. So, "is in their vessel" indicates that their containers hold these detestable substances.

Words-Group Analysis

• "sit in tombs, and lodge in night watches": This phrase strongly evokes practices associated with paganism and spiritism. Ancient Near Eastern religions often involved rituals performed in cemeteries or during the night, seeking communion with the dead or consulting spirits. Such activities were strictly forbidden in Israelite law. The "lodging in night watches" suggests secretive nocturnal gatherings, perhaps for divination or sorcery.
• "eat pig's flesh; and broth of abominable things is in their vessels": This points to a complete disregard for God's dietary laws and a embrace of that which is ceremonially and morally unclean. The pig was explicitly declared an abomination. The inclusion of "broth of abominable things" intensifies this, suggesting their food itself was defiled and ritually impure, reflecting a deeper spiritual defilement and adherence to forbidden practices, potentially linked to idolatrous feasts or sacrifices.

Isaiah 65 4 Bonus Section

The practices described here are reflective of pagan worship prevalent in the ancient Near East, which often incorporated necromancy (communication with the dead), astrology, divination, and dietary rituals that defied Yahweh's law. The mention of tombs and night watches is particularly indicative of spiritualistic seances or occult practices. The consumption of "pig's flesh" and "broth of abominable things" signifies a conscious rejection of the holiness that God demanded for His people, who were to be set apart. This thorough immersion in the detestable by God marked them for severe divine reckoning, a stark warning against assimilation into the corrupt practices of surrounding nations and a testament to God's absolute intolerance for spiritual unfaithfulness.

Isaiah 65 4 Commentary

This verse outlines a chilling picture of a people estranged from God, deeply involved in practices that God abominates. Their persistent rebellion is evidenced by their deliberate association with places of death, their secretive nocturnal activities, and their consumption of unclean foods and ritually impure substances. These are not mere lapses but habitual behaviors that incur God's intense wrath. The pig's flesh and abominable broths symbolize their willing embrace of impurity and defiance of God's commands. This passage serves as a stern warning against apostasy, idolatry, and participation in forbidden spiritualistic practices, emphasizing that such actions lead to divine judgment and destruction. It contrasts sharply with the purity and fellowship God desires for His people.