Isaiah 24:4
Isaiah 24:4 in Multiple Translations
The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and fades; the exalted of the earth waste away.
The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.
The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the lofty people of the earth do languish.
The earth is sorrowing and wasting away, the world is full of grief and wasting away, the high ones of the earth come to nothing.
The earth dries up and withers away; the world shrivels up and withers away, the high and mighty people shrivel up along with the earth.
The earth lamenteth and fadeth away: the world is feeble and decaied: the proude people of the earth are weakened.
Mourned, faded hath the land, Languished, faded hath the world, Languished have they — the high place of the people of the land.
The earth mourns and fades away. The world languishes and fades away. The lofty people of the earth languish.
The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.
The earth mourned, and faded away, and is weakened: the world faded away, the height of the people of the earth is weakened.
Everything on the earth will dry up and die [DOU]; its important people will become weak and unimportant.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 24:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 24:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אָבְלָ֤ה
נָֽבְלָה֙
הָ/אָ֔רֶץ
אֻמְלְלָ֥ה
נָבְלָ֖ה
תֵּבֵ֑ל
אֻמְלָ֖לוּ
מְר֥וֹם
עַם
הָ/אָֽרֶץ
אָבְלָ֤ה
ʼâbal
H56
to mourn
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
נָֽבְלָה֙
nâbêl
H5034
be senseless
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
הָ/אָ֔רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
אֻמְלְלָ֥ה
ʼâmal
H535
to weaken
V-K-Perf-3fs
נָבְלָ֖ה
nâbêl
H5034
be senseless
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
תֵּבֵ֑ל
têbêl
H8398
world
N-fs
אֻמְלָ֖לוּ
ʼâmal
H535
to weaken
V-K-Perf-3cp
מְר֥וֹם
mârôwm
H4791
height
N-ms
עַם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
N-ms
הָ/אָֽרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 24:4
אָבְלָ֤ה
ʼâbal
H56
"to mourn"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
To mourn or lament, as seen in human and inanimate objects, like gates or land, and used in various forms in the Bible.
Definition: 1) to mourn, lament 1a) (Qal) to mourn, lament 1a1) of humans 1a2) of inanimate objects (fig.) 1a2a) of gates 1a2b) of land 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to mourn, cause to mourn (fig.) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to mourn 1c2) play the mourner
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: lament, mourn. See also: Genesis 37:34; Isaiah 33:9; Isaiah 3:26.
נָֽבְלָה֙
nâbêl
H5034
"be senseless"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
To wither means to lose strength or fade away, and can also describe someone acting foolishly or wickedly. It is used to convey a sense of decline or failure.
Definition: 1) to be senseless, be foolish 1a) (Qal) to be foolish 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to regard or treat as foolish 1b2) to treat with contempt
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: disgrace, dishounour, lightly esteem, fade (away, -ing), fall (down, -ling, off), do foolishly, come to nought, [idiom] surely, make vile, wither. See also: Exodus 18:18; Isaiah 28:1; Psalms 1:3.
הָ/אָ֔רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
אֻמְלְלָ֥ה
ʼâmal
H535
"to weaken"
V-K-Perf-3fs
To weaken or be weak is the meaning of this verb, which can also imply being sick or mourning. In Psalm 6:2, David asks God to heal him, as his bones are weak. The term describes a state of physical or emotional exhaustion.
Definition: 1) to be weak, to droop, to languish, to be exhausted 1a) (Qal) pass participle (of the heart) 1a1) to be weak 1a2) to droop 1b) (Pulal) 1b1) to be or grow feeble 1b2) to languish
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: languish, be weak, wax feeble. See also: 1 Samuel 2:5; Jeremiah 15:9; Isaiah 16:8.
נָבְלָ֖ה
nâbêl
H5034
"be senseless"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
To wither means to lose strength or fade away, and can also describe someone acting foolishly or wickedly. It is used to convey a sense of decline or failure.
Definition: 1) to be senseless, be foolish 1a) (Qal) to be foolish 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to regard or treat as foolish 1b2) to treat with contempt
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: disgrace, dishounour, lightly esteem, fade (away, -ing), fall (down, -ling, off), do foolishly, come to nought, [idiom] surely, make vile, wither. See also: Exodus 18:18; Isaiah 28:1; Psalms 1:3.
תֵּבֵ֑ל
têbêl
H8398
"world"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for world, it refers to the earth and its inhabitants. In the Bible, it's used to describe the world God created, like in Psalm 24, which says the earth belongs to God.
Definition: world
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: habitable part, world. See also: 1 Samuel 2:8; Psalms 97:4; Psalms 9:9.
אֻמְלָ֖לוּ
ʼâmal
H535
"to weaken"
V-K-Perf-3cp
To weaken or be weak is the meaning of this verb, which can also imply being sick or mourning. In Psalm 6:2, David asks God to heal him, as his bones are weak. The term describes a state of physical or emotional exhaustion.
Definition: 1) to be weak, to droop, to languish, to be exhausted 1a) (Qal) pass participle (of the heart) 1a1) to be weak 1a2) to droop 1b) (Pulal) 1b1) to be or grow feeble 1b2) to languish
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: languish, be weak, wax feeble. See also: 1 Samuel 2:5; Jeremiah 15:9; Isaiah 16:8.
מְר֥וֹם
mârôwm
H4791
"height"
N-ms
This word refers to a high or elevated place, either physically or figuratively. It can describe a location, such as a mountain, or a state of being, like pride or haughtiness. It is used in various books of the Bible.
Definition: 1) height 1a) height, elevation, elevated place 1a1) in a high place (adv) 1b) height 1c) proudly (adv) 1d) of nobles (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: (far) above, dignity, haughty, height, (most, on) high (one, place), loftily, upward. See also: Judges 5:18; Isaiah 22:16; Psalms 7:8.
עַם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
הָ/אָֽרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
Study Notes — Isaiah 24:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 24:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 24:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 24:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 24:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 24:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 24:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 24:4
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 24:4
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 24:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 24:4
- Sermons on Isaiah 24:4
Context — God’s Judgment on the Earth
2people and priest alike, servant and master, maid and mistress, buyer and seller, lender and borrower, creditor and debtor.
3The earth will be utterly laid waste and thoroughly plundered. For the LORD has spoken this word.
4The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and fades; the exalted of the earth waste away.
5The earth is defiled by its people; they have transgressed the laws; they have overstepped the decrees and broken the everlasting covenant. 6Therefore a curse has consumed the earth, and its inhabitants must bear the guilt; the earth’s dwellers have been burned, and only a few survive.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hosea 4:3 | Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea disappear. |
| 2 | Isaiah 33:9 | The land mourns and languishes; Lebanon is ashamed and decayed. Sharon is like a desert; Bashan and Carmel shake off their leaves. |
| 3 | Isaiah 3:26 | And the gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground. |
| 4 | Isaiah 2:11–12 | The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted— it will be humbled— |
| 5 | Jeremiah 4:28 | Therefore the earth will mourn and the heavens above will grow dark. I have spoken, I have planned, and I will not relent or turn back.” |
| 6 | Isaiah 64:6 | Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 12:4 | How long will the land mourn and the grass of every field be withered? Because of the evil of its residents, the animals and birds have been swept away, for the people have said, “He cannot see what our end will be.” |
| 8 | Isaiah 28:1 | Woe to the majestic crown of Ephraim’s drunkards, to the fading flower of his glorious splendor, set on the summit above the fertile valley, the pride of those overcome by wine. |
Isaiah 24:4 Summary
Isaiah 24:4 describes a sad and barren earth, where even the most powerful people are wasting away. This happens because of sin and rebellion against God, as we see in Isaiah 24:5. Just like a plant that withers and dies without water, our world is dying spiritually without God's presence and care (see Psalm 104:29). We can pray for and seek God's redemption, just as He promises to revive and restore His people in Isaiah 41:17-20 and Ezekiel 36:26-27.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the earth to 'mourn and wither' in Isaiah 24:4?
This phrase suggests a deep sadness and decay, much like the emotional and spiritual desolation described in Isaiah 61:3, where God promises to comfort those who mourn in Zion.
Who are the 'exalted of the earth' that waste away in this verse?
The 'exalted of the earth' likely refers to those who are proud and lifted up in their own strength, much like the proud and arrogant described in Proverbs 16:18, who will ultimately be brought low by God.
Is this verse describing a literal or figurative wasteland?
While the language is poetic, the description of the earth's decay and the people's sin in Isaiah 24:5 suggests that this verse may be describing a literal judgment on the earth, similar to the desolations described in Jeremiah 4:23-26 and Matthew 24:7-8.
How does this verse relate to the overall message of the Bible?
This verse fits into the larger biblical theme of God's judgment on sin and rebellion, as seen in verses like Romans 6:23 and Revelation 20:11-15, where God's holiness and justice are ultimately upheld.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can see the earth 'mourn and wither' in my own community or world today?
- How can I personally avoid being one of the 'exalted of the earth' who waste away, and instead humble myself before God?
- What are some ways that I can care for the earth and be a good steward of God's creation, as described in Genesis 1:28 and Psalm 24:1?
- How can I use this verse to pray for and intercede on behalf of a world that is suffering and in need of God's redemption?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 24:4
The earth mourneth, [and] fadeth away,.... It mourns, because of its inhabitants being destroyed; and it fades away, because stripped of its wealth and riches: so the kings of the earth, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 24:4
The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 24:4
The world: from this word some infer that this prophecy concerns not only the land of Judea, but also the neighbouring countries. But if the proper signification of that word be urged, this prophecy must be extended to all the parts of the world, which these learned men will not allow. And the world, both in Scripture and other authors, is often used synecdochically for that which in truth is but a small part of it, at least in comparison with the whole; as it is not only of the Roman empire, as , but also of Babylon, , and, which cometh nearer to the point, of this very land of Judea, as 18:20, and elsewhere. And therefore it may well be so understood here, especially when this word world is explained by those other words the earth and the land, which the very next verse showeth to be meant of Israel or Judea, as we shall there discover. The haughty people; not only common people, who use to be of low spirits; but the high and lofty ones, who use to be stout in their words and carriages towards me, and to deride my threatenings.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 24:4
Isaiah 24:4 The earth mourneth [and] fadeth away, the world languisheth [and] fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.Ver. 4. The earth mourneth and fadeth away.] Luxit et diffiuxit, waileth and faileth; gallant rhetoric in the original, as this is a stately chapter all along: all the rollings of Demosthenes are but dull stuff compared to it. The world languisheth.] As a sick man, so enfeebled that he cannot stand high alone.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 24:4
(4) The haughty people of the earth.—Literally, the heights, or, to use an English term with a like history, “the highnesses of the people.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 24:4
Verse 4. The world languisheth] The world is the same with the land; that is, the kingdoms of Judah and Israel, orbis Israeliticus. See Clarke on Isaiah 13:11.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 24:4
4–6. The earth lies under a curse on account of the wickedness of its inhabitants.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 24:4
The earth mourneth - The word ‘earth’ here, as in Isaiah 24:1, means the land of Judea, or that and so much of the adjacent countries as would be subject to the desolation described.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 24:4
3, 4. The earth — ΰψφ, (aretz,) earth, or land, occurs over twelve times in this chapter, and applies to the whole land of Israel. But its parallel, ϊαμ, (tebel,) the inhabited world, may apply to all known nations.
Sermons on Isaiah 24:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Above All Things by Alistair Begg | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the importance of exalting God's name and word above all else. The verse "You have exalted above all things your name and your word" serves a |
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Mid South Conference 1978-03 Fellowship in the Gospel by Aldy Fam Fanous | The sermon transcript begins with a call to believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice to God and to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. The speaker emphasi |
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Isaiah 2v11 by John Marshall | In this sermon, the preacher begins by emphasizing the greatness of God and how incomprehensible His nature is to humans. He highlights that the world does not acknowledge or under |
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Humility and Sin by Andrew Murray | Andrew Murray emphasizes that true humility is rooted not in a constant focus on sin, but in the recognition of God's grace and the displacement of self by God. He illustrates this |
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A Tumor and Swelling in the Mind by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the destructive nature of pride, describing it as the root of many vices and a significant danger to the soul. He illustrates pride as a 'gilded misery' an |
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Before Destruction the Heart of Man Is Haughty by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the dangers of pride and haughtiness, warning that a proud heart often precedes destruction. He illustrates this with biblical examples, such as King David |
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This Monster, Pride—this Hellish Sin by Anne Dutton | Anne Dutton preaches about the sin of pride, highlighting its roots in unbelief and its opposition to the gospel of Christ. She emphasizes how pride robs God of His glory and belie |