Isaiah 24:2

KJV

And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it shall be, as with the people {H5971}, so with the priest {H3548}; as with the servant {H5650}, so with his master {H113}; as with the maid {H8198}, so with her mistress {H1404}; as with the buyer {H7069}, so with the seller {H4376}; as with the lender {H3867}, so with the borrower {H3867}; as with the taker of usury {H5383}, so {H834} with the giver of usury {H5378} to him.

Complete Jewish Bible

cohen and commoner, slave and master, maid and mistress, buyer and seller, lender and borrower, creditor and debtor.

Berean Standard Bible

people and priest alike, servant and master, maid and mistress, buyer and seller, lender and borrower, creditor and debtor.

American Standard Version

And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the creditor, so with the debtor; as with the taker of interest, so with the giver of interest to him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 24:2 vividly portrays the comprehensive and impartial nature of God's impending judgment upon the earth, a key component of the "Little Apocalypse" prophetic section. Through a series of stark social and economic pairings—from the common person to the priest, the servant to the master, the buyer to the seller, and the lender to the borrower—the verse emphasizes that no individual, regardless of their status, wealth, or role in society, will be exempt from the universal desolation wrought by divine wrath. It underscores the principle that widespread transgression against God's covenant results in an indiscriminate leveling of all human distinctions under the weight of divine justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 24:2 is an integral part of what scholars often term Isaiah's "Little Apocalypse" (chapters 24-27), a distinct prophetic unit within the larger book of Isaiah. This chapter immediately follows a section dealing with specific judgments against various nations and transitions into a broader, cosmic judgment upon the entire earth. Verse 2 elaborates on the declaration in [Isaiah 24:1](/isaiah/24-1 "Isaiah 24:1 - The Earth Laid Waste") that the Lord will "make the earth empty, and make it waste," by specifying the universal scope of this desolation. It uses a series of antithetical parallels to demonstrate that the coming catastrophe will obliterate all social hierarchies and economic advantages, setting the stage for the graphic descriptions of global devastation that follow in [Isaiah 24:3-6](/isaiah/24-3 "Isaiah 24:3-6 - Earth's Desolation and Transgression").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Isaiah prophesies during the tumultuous period of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires, a time marked by political instability, moral decay, and widespread idolatry in Judah and surrounding nations. While the immediate historical context of Isaiah often involves specific nations or events, Isaiah 24 transcends these to describe a judgment of cosmic proportions, possibly reflecting a future eschatological event or a heightened prophetic vision of God's ultimate sovereignty over all creation. Culturally, ancient Israelite society was highly stratified, with distinct roles for priests, masters, servants, and various economic actors. The concept of "usury" (lending at interest) was often condemned in Israelite law, particularly when it exploited the poor, as seen in [Exodus 22:25](/exodus/22-25 "Exodus 22:25 - Law on Lending to the Poor") and [Leviticus 25:36-37](/leviticus/25-36 "Leviticus 25:36-37 - Prohibition of Usury to Israelites"), highlighting a specific economic injustice that would not escape judgment.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme in Isaiah 24:2 is the **universality and impartiality of God's judgment**. This verse underscores that divine justice is not swayed by human status, power, or wealth. It highlights a **social leveling**, where established hierarchies are dismantled under the weight of God's righteous wrath. This theme is intricately linked to the broader motif of **consequences for covenant breaking**, as [Isaiah 24:5](/isaiah/24-5 "Isaiah 24:5 - Earth Defiled by Transgression") explicitly states that the earth's defilement is due to its inhabitants transgressing God's laws and breaking the everlasting covenant. The verse also implicitly touches upon the theme of **divine sovereignty**, demonstrating God's ultimate control over all aspects of human society and His ability to bring about comprehensive change.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **People (Hebrew, _ʻam'_):** This term (H5971) refers to a "people as a congregated unit," often specifically a tribe like Israel, but here used broadly to encompass the general populace. Its pairing with "priest" emphasizes that the judgment will not spare even the most numerous or common members of society, nor will it be limited to specific groups.
* **Priest (Hebrew, _kôhên'_):** The term (H3548) denotes "one officiating," a priest, or even a chief ruler. Its inclusion alongside "people" is significant, as priests held a sacred and privileged position in Israelite society, mediating between God and humanity. The fact that they, too, will face the same judgment as the common person highlights the absolute impartiality of God's wrath, indicating that religious office offers no special immunity.
* **Lender (Hebrew, _lâvâh'_):** This root (H3867) means "to twine" or "to unite," but by implication, it refers to the act of borrowing or (causatively) lending. The verse uses its participial forms for both "lender" and "borrower." Its presence in the list underscores the economic dimension of the universal judgment, implying that even those who hold financial power or are bound by financial obligations will be equally affected. The leveling of these roles suggests the complete disruption of the economic system.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest;":** This opening clause immediately establishes the theme of universal and indiscriminate judgment. It declares that the common person and the religiously privileged will suffer the same fate, signaling that no social or spiritual status offers protection.
* **"as with the servant, so with his master;":** This pairing further expands on the social leveling. The traditional hierarchy of master and servant will be abolished in the face of judgment, indicating that power and subservience become meaningless distinctions.
* **"as with the maid, so with her mistress;":** Echoing the previous clause, this parallel specifically addresses the female social hierarchy, reinforcing the idea that neither gender nor domestic status will provide an escape from the coming desolation.
* **"as with the buyer, so with the seller;":** This shifts the focus to economic roles. In a functioning society, buyers and sellers are distinct and interdependent. Here, their shared fate signifies the collapse of commerce and the economic system itself.
* **"as with the lender, so with the borrower;":** This continues the economic theme, highlighting that both those who extend credit and those who are indebted will be equally affected. This implies a complete breakdown of financial relationships and obligations.
* **"as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.":** This final pairing specifically addresses the practice of usury, or lending at exorbitant interest, which was often exploitative and condemned in Israelite law. The fact that both the one who charges usury and the one who pays it will face the same judgment underscores the comprehensive nature of God's justice, which levels even those engaged in morally questionable economic practices with their victims.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 24:2 is rich in literary devices, primarily employing **Parallelism** and **Merism** to convey its message of universal judgment. The verse is structured as a series of antithetical parallels, using the repetitive phrase "as with... so with..." (Hebrew: כְּ... כֵּן...) to emphasize the inescapable and comprehensive nature of the judgment. This **Anaphora** creates a rhythmic, insistent tone, reinforcing the idea that every segment of society will be touched. The chosen pairs—people/priest, servant/master, maid/mistress, buyer/seller, lender/borrower, taker of usury/giver of usury—constitute a form of **Merism**, where two opposite or contrasting parts are used to represent the whole. By listing these diverse social and economic roles, the prophet effectively communicates that *everyone* without exception, from the highest to the lowest, from the most powerful to the most vulnerable, will be subject to God's judgment. The cumulative effect of these devices is to underscore the absolute impartiality and totality of the coming divine reckoning.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 24:2 powerfully articulates the theological truth of God's absolute impartiality in judgment, especially when faced with widespread sin and rebellion against His covenant. It reveals that human distinctions of status, power, or wealth hold no sway before the divine court. The leveling effect described in the verse serves as a stark reminder that all humanity stands equally accountable before a holy God. This principle of divine impartiality is a foundational aspect of biblical theology, emphasizing that God's justice is not discriminatory but is applied universally based on righteousness and transgression, rather than social standing.

* [Deuteronomy 10:17](/deuteronomy/10-17 "Deuteronomy 10:17 - God Shows No Partiality")
* [Romans 2:11](/romans/2-11 "Romans 2:11 - God's Impartiality in Judgment")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Distinction in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 24:2 serves as a timeless and sobering reminder of humanity's universal accountability before God. In a world often obsessed with social hierarchies, economic advantages, and the pursuit of power, this verse strips away all such illusions, declaring that in the face of divine judgment, all human distinctions crumble. It calls us to a profound humility, recognizing that our status, wealth, or influence offer no shield from the consequences of sin or from God's ultimate justice. This should motivate us not to cling to fleeting earthly advantages, but to seek righteousness and live in accordance with God's will, knowing that true security lies only in Him. Furthermore, the verse implicitly challenges us to reflect on social and economic injustices within our own societies, particularly practices like usury that exploit the vulnerable. It reminds us that God's justice ultimately levels the playing field, holding both the oppressor and the oppressed accountable, but also bringing an end to the systems that perpetuate such inequities. This should inspire us to pursue justice, equity, and compassion in all our relationships and societal structures, reflecting the character of a God who shows no partiality.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the universal nature of God's judgment, as depicted in this verse, challenge my assumptions about privilege or immunity based on my social standing or achievements?**
* **What specific social or economic injustices in my community or the world today might be implicitly condemned by the leveling effect described in Isaiah 24:2?**
* **If all human distinctions are rendered meaningless before God's judgment, what should I prioritize in my life to ensure I am living in alignment with His eternal purposes?**

### FAQ
**Does Isaiah 24:2 imply that God punishes everyone equally, regardless of their individual sin or righteousness?**

Answer: Isaiah 24:2 emphasizes the *universal scope* of God's judgment, meaning no one is exempt based on their social or economic status. It highlights that judgment will affect all segments of society indiscriminately. However, it does not necessarily imply that the *intensity* or *nature* of the punishment will be identical for every individual. Other scriptures clarify that God's judgment is righteous and just, often proportionate to the deeds committed, as seen in passages like [Romans 2:6](/romans/2-6 "Romans 2:6 - God Will Repay Each Person According to What They Have Done") where God "will repay each person according to what they have done." The primary message here is that *no one escapes* the reckoning by virtue of their earthly position.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 24:2, with its stark depiction of universal judgment and the leveling of all human distinctions, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. Firstly, the ultimate judgment that levels all humanity is fully and perfectly borne by Christ on the cross. He, the sinless Lamb of God, became sin for us, experiencing the full weight of divine wrath so that those who believe might be spared (see [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us") and [Romans 8:3](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3 - God Sent His Son to Be a Sin Offering")). In Christ, the great social leveling is also realized, not in judgment but in salvation. The gospel declares that in Him, there is "neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Distinction in Christ")). All human-made hierarchies and distinctions, which offer no protection in judgment, are similarly rendered irrelevant in the economy of grace. Rich and poor, powerful and weak, religious leader and common person—all stand equally in need of Christ's atoning work and are equally offered salvation through faith. Thus, the leveling of Isaiah 24:2, which speaks of judgment, foreshadows the radical equality and unity found in the new humanity established by Christ, where all are brought to the same level of grace and redemption. The final judgment, of which Isaiah 24:2 is a foretaste, will ultimately be executed by Christ Himself, who has been appointed judge of the living and the dead ([Acts 10:42](/acts/10-42 "Acts 10:42 - Jesus, Appointed Judge")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hosea 4:9

And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.

Lamentations 5:12

Princes are hanged up by their hand: the faces of elders were not honoured.

Lamentations 5:14

The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their musick.

Ezekiel 7:12

The time is come, the day draweth near: let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn: for wrath [is] upon all the multitude thereof.

Ezekiel 7:13

For the seller shall not return to that which is sold, although they were yet alive: for the vision [is] touching the whole multitude thereof, [which] shall not return; neither shall any strengthen himself in the iniquity of his life.

Leviticus 25:36

Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.

Leviticus 25:37

Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.