Isaiah 1:24

Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:

Therefore saith {H5002} the Lord {H113}, the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, the mighty One {H46} of Israel {H3478}, Ah {H1945}, I will ease {H5162} me of mine adversaries {H6862}, and avenge {H5358} me of mine enemies {H341}:

"Therefore," says the Lord, ADONAI-Tzva'ot, the Mighty One of Isra'el, "I will free myself of my adversaries, I will take vengeance on my enemies.

Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will be relieved of My foes and avenge Myself on My enemies.

Therefore saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies;

Commentary

Isaiah 1:24 is a potent declaration of divine judgment from the prophet Isaiah, directed towards the rebellious nation of Judah and Jerusalem. This verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His righteous response to persistent unfaithfulness.

Context

The first chapter of Isaiah serves as a powerful indictment against Israel, particularly Judah and Jerusalem, for their profound spiritual corruption and moral decay. God describes His people as a "sinful nation" (Isaiah 1:4) who have forsaken Him, comparing them to a severely wounded body with no soundness (Isaiah 1:5-6). Leading up to verse 24, the prophet laments that Jerusalem, once a faithful city, has become like a harlot, filled with murderers, and its leaders are rebellious and corrupt, taking bribes and neglecting justice (Isaiah 1:21-23). Therefore, Isaiah 1:24 marks a turning point from lament and accusation to a solemn declaration of God's impending action, a divine purge to cleanse His people.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Justice: The titles used—"the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel"—emphasize God's supreme authority, omnipotence, and His covenant relationship with His people. He is not merely observing but actively asserting His power to uphold justice.
  • God's Righteous Indignation: The phrase "Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies" conveys God's firm resolve to act. It's not an expression of weariness, but a declaration of relief and satisfaction in bringing an end to the provocation and unrighteousness that grieved Him. This is God's holy response to sustained rebellion.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: The verse powerfully illustrates that there are inevitable and severe consequences for those who persistently reject God's authority and refuse to repent. God's patience, while vast, is not infinite, and His justice demands a response to sin. This concept is echoed in other passages, such as Romans 1:18, which speaks of God's wrath revealed against unrighteousness.

Linguistic Insights

  • "the LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth): This majestic title signifies God as the commander of heavenly armies and all creation. It highlights His immense power and ability to execute His will, particularly in matters of judgment and warfare.
  • "the mighty One of Israel" (Hebrew: Abir Ya'aqob): This specific title underscores God's unique strength and His covenant bond with Israel. It makes their rebellion even more egregious, as they are rebelling against the very One who powerfully delivered them.
  • "ease me" (Hebrew: nacham): While often translated as "comfort" or "repent," in this context, nacham implies God finding satisfaction or relief in executing His just judgment. It signifies the removal of the burden or grief caused by His people's rebellion, by decisively dealing with His adversaries.

Practical Application

Isaiah 1:24 serves as a timeless reminder of God's character: He is both loving and just. While He desires His people to return to Him and be cleansed (as seen in Isaiah 1:18), He will not tolerate perpetual rebellion and injustice. This verse calls believers today to:

  • Take God's Holiness Seriously: Understand that God is utterly righteous and will ultimately deal with all sin and unrighteousness.
  • Embrace Repentance: Recognize the urgency of turning away from sin and toward God, knowing that divine judgment awaits those who remain obstinate.
  • Trust in God's Justice: Find comfort in the knowledge that God is sovereign and will ultimately set all wrongs right, even when human systems fail.

This declaration from Isaiah reassures us that God is actively involved in His creation, upholding justice and demanding faithfulness from His people.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 60:16

    Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD [am] thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

  • Isaiah 35:4

    Say to them [that are] of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come [with] vengeance, [even] God [with] a recompence; he will come and save you.

  • Deuteronomy 28:63

    And it shall come to pass, [that] as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.

  • Isaiah 61:2

    To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

  • Isaiah 49:26

    And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD [am] thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

  • Revelation 18:8

    Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong [is] the Lord God who judgeth her.

  • Deuteronomy 32:43

    Rejoice, O ye nations, [with] his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, [and] to his people.
← Back