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Isaiah 5:14

Isaiah 5:14 in Multiple Translations

Therefore Sheol enlarges its throat and opens wide its enormous jaws, and down go Zion’s nobles and masses, her revelers and carousers!

Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

Therefore Sheol hath enlarged its desire, and opened its mouth without measure; and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth among them, descend into it.

For this cause the underworld has made wide its throat, opening its mouth without limit: and her glory, and the noise of her masses, and her loud-voiced feasters, will go down into it.

The grave's appetite increases, its mouth opens wide, and Jerusalem's nobility and the masses will go down into it, along with the rowdy, drunken mobs.

Therefore hell hath inlarged it selfe, and hath opened his mouth, without measure, and their glorie, and their multitude, and their pompe, and hee that reioyceth among them, shall descend into it.

Therefore hath Sheol enlarged herself, And hath opened her mouth without limit. And gone down hath its honour, and its multitude, And its noise, and its exulting one — into her.

Therefore Sheol has enlarged its desire, and opened its mouth without measure; and their glory, their multitude, their pomp, and he who rejoices among them, descend into it.

Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

Therefore hath hell enlarged her soul, and opened her mouth without any bounds, and their strong ones, and their people, and their high and glorious ones shall go down into it.

It is as though [PRS] the place where the dead people are is eagerly looking for more Israeli people, opening its mouth to swallow them, and a huge number of people will be thrown into that place, including their leaders as well as a noisy crowd of people who enjoy living in Jerusalem.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 5:14

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 5:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB לָ/כֵ֗ן הִרְחִ֤יבָה שְּׁאוֹל֙ נַפְשָׁ֔/הּ וּ/פָעֲרָ֥ה פִ֖י/הָ לִ/בְלִי חֹ֑ק וְ/יָרַ֨ד הֲדָרָ֧/הּ וַ/הֲמוֹנָ֛/הּ וּ/שְׁאוֹנָ֖/הּ וְ/עָלֵ֥ז בָּֽ/הּ
לָ/כֵ֗ן kên H3651 right Prep | Adv
הִרְחִ֤יבָה râchab H7337 to enlarge V-Hiphil-Perf-3fs
שְּׁאוֹל֙ shᵉʼôwl H7585 hell N-proper
נַפְשָׁ֔/הּ nephesh H5315 soul N-cs | Suff
וּ/פָעֲרָ֥ה pâʻar H6473 to open Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3fs
פִ֖י/הָ peh H6310 lip N-ms | Suff
לִ/בְלִי bᵉlîy H1097 without Conj | Part
חֹ֑ק chôq H2706 statute N-ms
וְ/יָרַ֨ד yârad H3381 to go down Conj | V-Qal-3ms
הֲדָרָ֧/הּ hâdâr H1926 glory N-ms | Suff
וַ/הֲמוֹנָ֛/הּ hâmôwn H1995 crowd Conj | N-ms | Suff
וּ/שְׁאוֹנָ֖/הּ shâʼôwn H7588 roar Conj | N-ms | Suff
וְ/עָלֵ֥ז ʻâlêz H5938 exultant Conj | Adj
בָּֽ/הּ Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 5:14

לָ/כֵ֗ן kên H3651 "right" Prep | Adv
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable
Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.
הִרְחִ֤יבָה râchab H7337 "to enlarge" V-Hiphil-Perf-3fs
To enlarge or grow wide, as in making something bigger or more spacious, like a room or a path. This word is used in various forms throughout the Bible, including in descriptions of God's power and promises. It appears in books like Isaiah and Psalms.
Definition: 1) to be or grow wide, be or grow large 1a) (Qal) to be widened, be enlarged 1b) (Niphal) broad or roomy pasture (participle) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make large 1c2) to enlarge
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: be an en-(make) large(-ing), make room, make (open) wide. See also: Genesis 26:22; Psalms 119:32; Psalms 4:2.
שְּׁאוֹל֙ shᵉʼôwl H7585 "hell" N-proper
Sheol refers to the underworld or grave, a place of no return where the dead reside, as seen in the Old Testament. It is often translated as hell or pit in the KJV. This concept is mentioned in various books, including Psalms and Isaiah.
Definition: Sheol, underworld, grave, hell, pit 1a) the underworld 1b) Sheol-the OT designation for the abode of the dead 1b1) place of no return 1b2) without praise of God 1b3) wicked sent there for punishment 1b4) righteous not abandoned to it 1b5) of the place of exile (fig) 1b6) of extreme degradation in sin
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: grave, hell, pit. See also: Genesis 37:35; Psalms 139:8; Psalms 6:6.
נַפְשָׁ֔/הּ nephesh H5315 "soul" N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
וּ/פָעֲרָ֥ה pâʻar H6473 "to open" Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to open wide, like a big yawn, and is used in the Bible to describe something opening up, like a mouth or a gap. It appears in the King James Version as 'gape' or 'open wide'.
Definition: 1) to open wide, gape 1a) (Qal) to gape
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: gape, open (wide). See also: Job 16:10; Psalms 119:131; Isaiah 5:14.
פִ֖י/הָ peh H6310 "lip" N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
לִ/בְלִי bᵉlîy H1097 "without" Conj | Part
This word means without or nothing, often used for negation. It appears in various forms, such as without or not yet, in the Old Testament.
Definition: subst 1) wearing out adv of negation 2) without, no, not
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: corruption, ig(norantly), for lack of, where no...is, so that no, none, not, un(awares), without. See also: Genesis 31:20; Job 38:41; Psalms 19:4.
חֹ֑ק chôq H2706 "statute" N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a decree or law given by God, like the Ten Commandments. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy, guiding the Israelites' actions. This concept is essential to understanding God's expectations.
Definition: : decree 1) statute, ordinance, limit, something prescribed, due 1a) prescribed task 1b) prescribed portion 1c) action prescribed (for oneself), resolve 1d) prescribed due 1e) prescribed limit, boundary 1f) enactment, decree, ordinance 1f1) specific decree 1f2) law in general 1g) enactments, statutes 1g1) conditions 1g2) enactments 1g3) decrees 1g4) civil enactments prescribed by God
Usage: Occurs in 124 OT verses. KJV: appointed, bound, commandment, convenient, custom, decree(-d), due, law, measure, [idiom] necessary, ordinance(-nary), portion, set time, statute, task. See also: Genesis 47:22; Nehemiah 1:7; Psalms 2:7.
וְ/יָרַ֨ד yârad H3381 "to go down" Conj | V-Qal-3ms
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Definition: 1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come down 1a2) to sink 1a3) to be prostrated 1a4) to come down (of revelation) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to bring down 1b2) to send down 1b3) to take down 1b4) to lay prostrate 1b5) to let down 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought down 1c2) to be taken down
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. See also: Genesis 11:5; Judges 3:28; 2 Kings 1:15.
הֲדָרָ֧/הּ hâdâr H1926 "glory" N-ms | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word means glory, beauty, or majesty, and is used to describe God's splendor and excellence. It appears in descriptions of God's power and glory in the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) ornament, splendour, honour 1a) ornament 1b) splendour, majesty 1c) honour, glory
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: beauty, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honour, majesty. See also: Leviticus 23:40; Psalms 145:5; Psalms 8:6.
וַ/הֲמוֹנָ֛/הּ hâmôwn H1995 "crowd" Conj | N-ms | Suff
Being in a state of turmoil or having a lot of noise is what this Hebrew word means. It can also refer to a large crowd or abundance of something, like in the book of Proverbs where it describes a multitude of people.
Definition: 1) murmur, roar, crowd, abundance, tumult, sound 1a) sound, murmur, rush, roar 1b) tumult, confusion 1c) crowd, multitude 1d) great number, abundance 1e) abundance, wealth
Usage: Occurs in 78 OT verses. KJV: abundance, company, many, multitude, multiply, noise, riches, rumbling, sounding, store, tumult. See also: Genesis 17:4; Isaiah 33:3; Psalms 37:16.
וּ/שְׁאוֹנָ֖/הּ shâʼôwn H7588 "roar" Conj | N-ms | Suff
The word for roar or uproar describes a loud, rushing sound, like the crash of water or the noise of a crowd, as seen in Psalm 65 and Jeremiah 10. It can also imply destruction or chaos.
Definition: 1) roar, din, crash, uproar 1a) roar (of water) 1b) uproar (of revellers)
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] horrible, noise, pomp, rushing, tumult ([idiom] -uous). See also: Psalms 40:3; Isaiah 25:5; Psalms 65:8.
וְ/עָלֵ֥ז ʻâlêz H5938 "exultant" Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word means feeling joyful or jubilant, like celebrating a big win. It appears in the Bible to describe someone who is rejoicing. In the KJV, it is translated as 'that rejoiceth'.
Definition: exultant, jubilant
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: that rejoiceth. See also: Isaiah 5:14.
בָּֽ/הּ "" Prep | Suff

Study Notes — Isaiah 5:14

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Proverbs 30:16 Sheol, the barren womb, land never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, ‘Enough!’
2 Luke 21:34 But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.
3 Habakkuk 2:5 and wealth indeed betrays him. He is an arrogant man never at rest. He enlarges his appetite like Sheol, and like Death, he is never satisfied. He gathers all the nations to himself and collects all the peoples as his own.
4 Matthew 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
5 Isaiah 30:33 For Topheth has long been prepared; it has been made ready for the king. Its funeral pyre is deep and wide, with plenty of fire and wood. The breath of the LORD, like a torrent of burning sulfur, sets it ablaze.
6 Psalms 55:15 Let death seize them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive, for evil is with them in their homes.
7 Proverbs 27:20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
8 Numbers 16:30–34 But if the LORD brings about something unprecedented, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them and all that belongs to them so that they go down alive into Sheol, then you will know that these men have treated the LORD with contempt.” As soon as Moses had finished saying all this, the ground beneath them split open, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households—all Korah’s men and all their possessions. They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly. At their cries, all the people of Israel who were around them fled, saying, “The earth may swallow us too!”
9 Isaiah 14:9 Sheol beneath is eager to meet you upon your arrival. It stirs the spirits of the dead to greet you— all the rulers of the earth. It makes all the kings of the nations rise from their thrones.
10 Revelation 20:13–15 The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Isaiah 5:14 Summary

This verse is saying that because the people of Zion have turned away from God and are living sinful lives, they will face judgment and punishment. Sheol, or the place of the dead, is like a big mouth that is waiting to swallow them up. This is a warning to us today as well, to remember that our actions have consequences, and that if we reject God and live for ourselves, we will face judgment (as seen in Romans 6:23). But if we turn to Him and live for Him, we can experience eternal life and freedom, as seen in John 3:16.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sheol in Isaiah 5:14?

Sheol refers to the place of the dead, often translated as the grave or hell, as seen in Psalm 9:17, where it is associated with the wicked. In this context, Sheol represents a place of judgment and punishment for those who reject God.

Why are Zion's nobles and masses going down to Sheol?

According to Isaiah 5:14, they are going down to Sheol because of their sinful ways, specifically their revelry and carousing, which is a result of disregarding the actions of the Lord, as mentioned in Isaiah 5:12. This is also reminiscent of Proverbs 21:16, where the wicked are said to stray into the assembly of the dead.

Is this verse only talking about ancient Israel, or does it have relevance for us today?

While the immediate context of Isaiah 5:14 is a warning to ancient Israel, the principles of God's judgment on sin and the importance of humility and righteousness are timeless and apply to all people, as seen in Romans 6:23, where the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?

Isaiah 5:14 is part of a larger section that describes the sins of Israel and the resulting judgment, as seen in Isaiah 5:13, where the people are said to go into exile for their lack of understanding. This verse serves as a culmination of the warnings, emphasizing the severity of God's judgment on those who refuse to acknowledge and repent of their sins, as also seen in Isaiah 5:15-16, where mankind is brought low and the Lord is exalted in His justice.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I might be disregarding the actions of the Lord in my own life, and how can I turn back to Him?
  2. In what ways do I prioritize revelry and carousing over seeking the Lord and living righteously, and what steps can I take to change this?
  3. How can I cultivate a deeper understanding of God's holiness and righteousness, as mentioned in Isaiah 5:16, and what impact will this have on my daily life?
  4. What are some areas where I need to humble myself, as mentioned in Isaiah 5:15, and how can I practically live out this humility in my relationships and decisions?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 5:14

Therefore hell hath enlarged herself,.... That is, the grave, to receive the dead which die with famine and thirst; signifying that the number of the dead would be so great, that the common burying

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 5:14

Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 5:14

Hell; or, the grave, as this word most commonly signifies. Opened her mouth without measure, to receive those vast numbers which shall die by this famine, or otherwise, as is here implied. Their glory; their honourable men, as they were called, , being distinguished both here and there from the multitude. Their pomp; all their glory, shall die with them. He that rejoiceth; that spendeth all his days in mirth and jollity, and casteth away all cares and fears.

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 5:14

Isaiah 5:14 Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.Ver. 14. Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, &c.] To swallow up those insatiable helluones and lurcones, drunkards and epicures; these swill howls and sensualists, Cerberi instar, triaguttura pandebant. Diotimus of Athens was surnamed Tunbowl, and young Cicero, Tricongius, because he could take off three bottles of wine at a draught. Therefore death and hell Have opened their mouth without measure.] Hiante rictu amplissimo helluones istos absorbere, To devour such pests and botches of mankind. Oh that the carousers were persuaded, as Mohammed told his followers, that in every grape there dwelt a devil! And oh that they would foresee and prevent a worse punishment in hell than befell that poor Turk who, being found drunk, had a ladleful of boiling lead poured down his throat by the command of a certain pasha! And their glory.] Their great ones, those men of honour. And their multitude.] The meaner sort. Nos numeri sumus. And their pomp.] Or, Their noise or tumult: their revel rout, as they call it, when they have drunk all the outs, and are now singing and hallooing.

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 5:14

(14) Therefore hell hath enlarged herself.—The Hebrew Sheol, or Hades, like “hell” itself in its original meaning, expressed not a place of torment, but the vast shadow – world of death, thought of as being below the earth (Psalms 16:10; Psalms 49:14). Here, as elsewhere (Jonah 2:2; Proverbs 1:12; Proverbs 30:16), it is half-personified, as Hades and Death are in Revelation 6:8; Revelation 20:13-14. In that unseen world there were, in the later belief of Judaism, the two regions of Gehenna and of Eden or Paradise. What the prophet says is that all the pomp and glory of the rich oppressors are on their way to that inevitable doom. The word for “glory” (as in 1 Samuel 4:22) is the same as that for “honourable men” in Isaiah 5:13, so that the original has all the emphasis of repetition.

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 5:14

8–24. Denunciation of the Social Evils which call down God’s Judgment on the NationThe indictment contains six counts, each introduced by the word “Woe,” and is addressed exclusively to the upper classes, although the punishment of their sin falls on the nation as a whole. The prophet sets before us a vivid picture of a debased aristocracy, in whom public virtue has been eaten out by avarice and sensuality; and he traces with remarkable insight the effect of these sins in the religious insensibility and perversion of the moral sentiments which characterised the nobles of Judah at this time.

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 5:14

Therefore hell - The word transated “hell,” שׁאול she'ôl, has not the same meaning that we now attach to that word; its usual signification, among the Hebrews, was “the lower world, the region of

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 5:14

14, 15. Hell — In the Hebrew, sheol, to which, in the New Testament, the corresponding term is hades.

Sermons on Isaiah 5:14

SermonDescription
Leonard Ravenhill The Man God Tore Apart - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill In this sermon, the pastor discusses the troubled state of the world and predicts that it will become even more troubled in the next 10 years. He emphasizes that there are three ty
Chuck Smith Ii Kings 20:1 by Chuck Smith Chuck Smith emphasizes the inevitability of death, reminding us that it is appointed for all men to die, and that we are constantly reminded of this truth through daily news and ev
Art Katz Nightclub Disasters: A Parable of Hell by Art Katz Art Katz presents a vivid and alarming parable of hell through the metaphor of a nightclub disaster, where a moment of excitement transforms into chaos and despair. He emphasizes t
Leonard Ravenhill Be Still by Leonard Ravenhill In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being still and knowing that God is in control. He encourages the audience to develop a deep and loving relationship with
A.W. Tozer (Dangers in the Way Series): Dangers of Prosperity and Adversity by A.W. Tozer In this sermon, the preacher discusses the dangers that Christians face in their journey towards heaven. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and addressing these perils,
A.W. Tozer (Revelation - Part 2): A Prognosis of Events by A.W. Tozer In this sermon, the preacher talks about the importance of being prepared for the second coming of Jesus Christ. He uses a story about a boy who eagerly awaits his father's return
A.W. Tozer (Men Who Met God): Abraham by A.W. Tozer In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being watchful and prayerful in order to be worthy of escaping the trials and tribulations that will come upon the earth.

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