King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction.
Complete Jewish Bible:
In the city, only desolation, its gates are battered beyond repair.
Berean Standard Bible:
The city is left in ruins; its gate is reduced to rubble.
American Standard Version:
In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
In the city{H5892} is left{H7604} desolation{H8047}, and the gate{H8179} is smitten{H3807} with destruction{H7591}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Micah 1:9
- For her wound [is] incurable; for it is come unto Judah; he is come unto the gate of my people, [even] to Jerusalem.
Lamentations 2:9
- Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes [are] among the Gentiles: the law [is] no [more]; her prophets also find no vision from the LORD.
Jeremiah 9:11
- And I will make Jerusalem heaps, [and] a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.
Lamentations 5:18
- Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.
Micah 1:12
- For the inhabitant of Maroth waited carefully for good: but evil came down from the LORD unto the gate of Jerusalem.
Lamentations 1:4
- The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she [is] in bitterness.
Lamentations 1:1
- ¶ How doth the city sit solitary, [that was] full of people! [how] is she become as a widow! she [that was] great among the nations, [and] princess among the provinces, [how] is she become tributary!
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Commentary for Isaiah 24:12
Isaiah 24:12 is part of a larger apocalyptic passage in the book of Isaiah, often referred to as the "Isaiah Apocalypse" (Isaiah 24-27). This section of the book is known for its vivid imagery of judgment and describes a time when the earth will be devastated and its inhabitants punished for their sins. The verse itself paints a picture of a once-thriving city that has been reduced to a state of utter desolation. The mention of the "gate" being "smitten with destruction" is significant because in ancient cities, gates were central to a city's commerce, legal proceedings, and social interactions. They were symbols of a city's strength and vitality.
The historical context of this verse is generally associated with the period of the prophet Isaiah's ministry, which took place during the 8th century BCE. During this time, the Assyrian Empire was a dominant force in the region, known for its ruthless military campaigns. The imagery of a city laid waste would have resonated with contemporary audiences who may have witnessed or heard of the destruction of cities by Assyrian armies.
The themes in Isaiah 24:12 include divine judgment, the transience of human achievements, and the consequences of turning away from God. The verse reflects the idea that human cities, no matter how grand or secure they may seem, are ultimately subject to divine authority and can be brought to ruin if they stray from God's laws. This theme is a common one in biblical prophecy, emphasizing the need for repentance and a return to ethical and religious integrity.
In summary, Isaiah 24:12 depicts a scene of profound devastation, where a city, once lively and secure, now lies in ruins, symbolized by the destruction of its gate. This verse reflects the broader biblical theme of divine retribution against sin and serves as a warning to those who might ignore the moral and spiritual demands of their Creator. It also speaks to the historical reality of ancient city-states facing the existential threat of foreign conquest and the impermanence of human constructions in the face of higher powers.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5892
There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עִיר
Transliteration: ʻîyr
Pronunciation: eer
Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. - Strong's Number: H7604
There are 123 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁאַר
Transliteration: shâʼar
Pronunciation: shaw-ar'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant; leave, (be) left, let, remain, remnant, reserve, the rest. - Strong's Number: H8047
There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שַׁמָּה
Transliteration: shammâh
Pronunciation: sham-maw'
Description: from שָׁמֵם; ruin; by implication, consternation; astonishment, desolate(-ion), waste, wonderful thing. - Strong's Number: H8179
There are 302 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שַׁעַר
Transliteration: shaʻar
Pronunciation: shah'-ar
Description: from שָׁעַר in its original sense; an opening, i.e. door or gate; city, door, gate, port ([idiom] -er). - Strong's Number: H3807
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּתַת
Transliteration: kâthath
Pronunciation: kaw-thath'
Description: a primitive root; to bruise or violently strike; beat (down, to pieces), break in pieces, crushed, destroy, discomfit, smite, stamp. l - Strong's Number: H7591
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁאִיָּה
Transliteration: shᵉʼîyâh
Pronunciation: sheh-ee-yaw'
Description: from שָׁאָה; desolation; destruction.