Isaiah 1:5

Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

Why should ye be stricken {H5221} any more? ye will revolt {H5627} more and more {H3254}: the whole head {H7218} is sick {H2483}, and the whole heart {H3824} faint {H1742}.

"Where should I strike you next, as you persist in rebelling? The whole head is sick, the whole heart diseased.

Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep rebelling? Your head has a massive wound, and your whole heart is afflicted.

Why will ye be still stricken, that ye revolt more and more? the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

Commentary

Isaiah 1:5 delivers a poignant lament from God through the prophet Isaiah, addressing the persistent rebellion and spiritual decay of Judah. This verse follows a strong indictment against the nation for forsaking the Lord and provoking the Holy One of Israel.

Context

Chapter 1 of Isaiah serves as a divine lawsuit against the nation of Judah (and by extension, Israel). God, through Isaiah, expresses profound sorrow and frustration over His people's unfaithfulness. Despite being nourished and brought up by God (see Isaiah 1:2), they have rebelled. The "stricken" refers to the various forms of divine discipline or consequences they had already experienced, yet their response was not repentance but deeper defiance. This context highlights God's patience reaching a critical point, wondering why further judgment would even make a difference to a people so hardened.

Key Themes

  • Persistent Rebellion: The phrase "ye will revolt more and more" underscores the deep-seated and unyielding nature of Judah's disobedience. It suggests a cycle of sin, discipline, and further sin, indicating a fundamental spiritual problem rather than isolated acts of transgression.
  • Spiritual Sickness: The vivid imagery of "the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint" is a powerful metaphor for the nation's complete spiritual corruption. It implies that no part of the body politic or religious life is healthy; from leadership ("head") to the core of their being ("heart"), they are diseased. This isn't just moral failing but a deep spiritual illness affecting their very capacity for good.
  • Divine Lament and Frustration: God's question, "Why should ye be stricken any more?" is rhetorical, expressing a deep sense of frustration and sorrow over His people's hardened hearts. It reveals His desire for them to turn back, rather than experience further judgment, yet acknowledging their trajectory of increasing rebellion.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "stricken" (nākeh) often implies being beaten or smitten, suggesting physical affliction or divine judgment. "Revolt" (sārar) conveys a sense of stubbornness and apostasy, moving away from rightful authority. The terms for "sick" (ḥālâh) and "faint" (dāwah) paint a picture of profound weakness and disease, emphasizing the nation's complete spiritual incapacitation. This is not merely a superficial wound but a systemic illness, reflecting the profound spiritual decay.

Practical Application

Isaiah 1:5 serves as a timeless warning about the dangers of persistent rebellion against God and the consequences of spiritual apathy. It prompts self-reflection:

  • Are we, individually or corporately, exhibiting signs of spiritual sickness or persistent disobedience despite God's gentle discipline or clear commands?
  • Do we respond to challenges and difficulties with repentance and a desire to return to God, or with further hardening of our hearts?
  • The verse reminds us that true spiritual health comes from a right relationship with God, and neglecting this can lead to a pervasive illness that affects every aspect of life. God's ultimate desire is for repentance and restoration, as offered later in this same chapter.

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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

  • Daniel 9:8 (6 votes)

    O Lord, to us [belongeth] confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.

  • Daniel 9:11 (6 votes)

    Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that [is] written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.

  • Ezekiel 24:13 (6 votes)

    In thy filthiness [is] lewdness: because I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee.

  • Revelation 16:8 (5 votes)

    ¶ And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

  • Revelation 16:11 (5 votes)

    And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

  • Isaiah 31:6 (5 votes)

    ¶ Turn ye unto [him from] whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.

  • Jeremiah 5:3 (5 votes)

    O LORD, [are] not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, [but] they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.