Isaiah 18:6

They shall be left together unto the fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth: and the fowls shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them.

They shall be left {H5800} together {H3162} unto the fowls {H5861} of the mountains {H2022}, and to the beasts {H929} of the earth {H776}: and the fowls {H5861} shall summer {H6972} upon them, and all the beasts {H929} of the earth {H776} shall winter {H2778} upon them.

They will all be left to the vultures in the mountains and to the wild animals in the fields; the vultures will feed on them in summer, and the wild animals of the fields in winter.

They will all be left to the mountain birds of prey, and to the beasts of the land. The birds will feed on them in summer, and all the wild animals in winter.

They shall be left together unto the ravenous birds of the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth; and the ravenous birds shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them.

Commentary

Isaiah 18:6 (KJV) describes the grim aftermath of God's judgment against a proud nation, likely Cush (ancient Ethiopia/Sudan), as foretold earlier in the chapter. This verse vividly portrays the utter desolation and disgrace awaiting those who stand against the Lord's purposes or rely on their own strength rather than His divine will.

Context

This verse is part of a prophetic oracle in Isaiah 18, often titled "Woe to the Land of Buzzing Wings" or "Woe to Cush." The chapter describes a powerful, distant nation sending swift messengers, possibly seeking alliances or demonstrating their might. However, God declares His intention to intervene, cutting down their plans and their people like a harvest. Verse 6 details the horrific consequence: the bodies of the fallen will be left unburied, serving as food for scavengers. This pronouncement serves as a stark warning to any nation considering opposition to God's plan or seeking security apart from Him, highlighting God's ultimate sovereignty over all earthly powers. The broader context of Isaiah's prophecies often includes pronouncements of judgment against various nations that defy God.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The verse powerfully illustrates God's absolute control over the destinies of nations and individuals. His judgment is certain and comprehensive, demonstrating that no human power can ultimately thwart His will.
  • Utter Desolation and Disgrace: The imagery of bodies left unburied and consumed by wild animals signifies the ultimate humiliation and destruction in ancient Near Eastern culture. It implies a complete defeat and abandonment, leaving no dignity or hope for the vanquished.
  • Consequences of Pride and Self-Reliance: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of Isaiah 18 suggests that the judgment comes upon a nation that perhaps relied on its own might or political maneuvering rather than acknowledging God's supremacy. This serves as a timeless warning against human arrogance.

Linguistic Insights

The imagery in Isaiah 18:6 is particularly stark:

  • "They shall be left together unto the fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth": This phrase paints a gruesome picture of the unburied dead, a profound indignity in ancient times. To be denied a proper burial was considered a curse and a sign of utter defeat, as seen in other prophetic warnings against disobedience, such as in Jeremiah 7:33.
  • "and the fowls shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them": This emphasizes the prolonged and inescapable nature of the desolation. The bodies will remain exposed and preyed upon through all seasons, symbolizing a complete and lasting destruction, not merely a temporary setback. This speaks to the permanence and thoroughness of God's judgment. Similar imagery of divine wrath leading to bodies being consumed by scavengers is found in Revelation 19:17-18, describing the "great supper of God."

Practical Application

Isaiah 18:6 serves as a powerful reminder of several enduring truths:

  • God's Unquestionable Authority: It underscores that God is ultimately in control of history and the fate of nations. Human plans and power are temporary and subject to His divine will.
  • The Futility of Earthly Reliance: The verse implicitly challenges reliance on military might, political alliances, or human wisdom alone. True security and prosperity come from aligning with God's purposes.
  • A Call to Humility: For individuals and nations, it's a call to humility and recognition of divine sovereignty. Pride often precedes a fall, and this passage illustrates the severe consequences of such arrogance.
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

  • Jeremiah 7:33

    And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray [them] away.

  • Ezekiel 39:17

    And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, [even] a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood.

  • Ezekiel 39:20

    Thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Ezekiel 32:4

    Then will I leave thee upon the land, I will cast thee forth upon the open field, and will cause all the fowls of the heaven to remain upon thee, and I will fill the beasts of the whole earth with thee.

  • Ezekiel 32:6

    I will also water with thy blood the land wherein thou swimmest, [even] to the mountains; and the rivers shall be full of thee.

  • Isaiah 34:1

    ¶ Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.

  • Isaiah 34:7

    And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.
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