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Isaiah 24:18

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And it shall come to pass, [that] he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.

And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth {H5127} from the noise {H6963} of the fear {H6343} shall fall {H5307} into the pit {H6354}; and he that cometh up {H5927} out of the midst {H8432} of the pit {H6354} shall be taken {H3920} in the snare {H6341}: for the windows {H699} from on high {H4791} are open {H6605}, and the foundations {H4146} of the earth {H776} do shake {H7493}.

He who flees at the sound of terror will fall into the pit. He who climbs up out of the pit will be caught in the trap. For the windows above have been opened, and the earth's foundations shake.

Whoever flees the sound of panic will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in the snare. For the windows of heaven are open, and the foundations of the earth are shaken.

And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows on high are opened, and the foundations of the earth tremble.

Commentary

Isaiah 24:18 is a powerful verse from what is often called Isaiah's "Little Apocalypse" (chapters 24-27), depicting a scene of inescapable, global judgment. It portrays a world in turmoil, where attempts to flee divine wrath are futile, and the very fabric of creation is being undone.

Context

Chapter 24 of Isaiah describes a sweeping, universal judgment that will fall upon the whole earth due to humanity's rebellion against God's law. This is not a judgment on a single nation like Judah or Israel, but a cosmic event affecting all inhabitants of the world. The preceding verses detail the desolation, the breaking of the covenant, and the mourning of the earth. Verse 18 intensifies this imagery, emphasizing the inescapable nature of the coming doom, setting a tone of solemn warning about the consequences of widespread sin and disobedience.

Key Themes

  • Inescapable Judgment: The verse vividly illustrates that there is no refuge from God's impending wrath. Those who try to escape one danger ("fleeth from the noise of the fear") fall into another ("the pit"), and even those who seemingly escape the pit are caught in a "snare." This sequence underscores the futility of human efforts to evade divine justice.
  • Cosmic Upheaval: The phrases "the windows from on high are open" and "the foundations of the earth do shake" point to a cataclysmic, fundamental disruption of the natural order. This is not merely a local disaster but a global, cosmic event initiated by God.
  • Divine Sovereignty: Behind this overwhelming judgment is the sovereign hand of God. The opening of the "windows from on high" signifies a deliberate act of divine intervention, reminiscent of the great flood in Genesis, indicating that this judgment is divinely ordained and executed.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Noise of the fear" (קוֹל־פַּחַד - qōl pachad): The Hebrew word pachad denotes terror, dread, or panic. The "noise of the fear" suggests an overwhelming sound or sensation of impending terror from which one tries to flee.
  • "Windows from on high" (אֲרֻבּוֹת מִמָּרוֹם - 'arubbōt mimmarōm): This powerful imagery directly echoes the language used to describe the deluge in Genesis 7:11, where "the windows of heaven were opened." It signifies an overwhelming outpouring of divine judgment, a cosmic downpour.
  • "Foundations of the earth do shake" (וַיִּרְעֲשׁוּ מוֹסְדֵי אָרֶץ - vayyir'ashū mōsdēy 'ārets): The term mōsdēy 'ārets refers to the very bases or stable structures of the earth. Their shaking implies a profound, fundamental instability and dissolution of the world as it is known, a theme seen in other prophetic passages describing end-times cosmic disturbances.

Practical Application

Isaiah 24:18 serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of sin and the inevitability of God's justice. It highlights that attempts to escape accountability through human cunning or strength are ultimately futile when confronted with divine judgment. For believers, this verse underscores the importance of living in reverence and obedience to God, finding true refuge not in flight or evasion, but in His mercy and faithfulness. For all, it is a call to consider the ultimate consequences of rebellion against the Creator and to seek reconciliation with Him before the "windows from on high" are opened in judgment.

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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

  • Genesis 7:11 (6 votes)

    ¶ In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

  • Psalms 18:7 (6 votes)

    Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.

  • Psalms 46:2 (3 votes)

    Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

  • Psalms 46:3 (3 votes)

    [Though] the waters thereof roar [and] be troubled, [though] the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

  • Psalms 18:15 (3 votes)

    Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

  • Joshua 10:10 (3 votes)

    And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.

  • Joshua 10:11 (3 votes)

    And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, [and] were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: [they were] more which died with hailstones than [they] whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.