Isaiah 24:23

Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.

Then the moon {H3842} shall be confounded {H2659}, and the sun {H2535} ashamed {H954}, when the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635} shall reign {H4427} in mount {H2022} Zion {H6726}, and in Jerusalem {H3389}, and before his ancients {H2205} gloriously {H3519}.

Then the moon will be confused and the sun ashamed, for ADONAI-Tzva'ot will rule on Mount Tziyon and in Yerushalayim, with his glory manifest to the rulers of his people.

The moon will be confounded and the sun will be ashamed; for the LORD of Hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before His elders with great glory.

Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for Jehovah of hosts will reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem; and before his elders shall be glory.

Isaiah 24:23 paints a powerful prophetic picture of the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom, a grand culmination of divine judgment and restoration. This verse is part of a section often referred to as "Isaiah's Apocalypse" (chapters 24-27), which foretells a worldwide devastation followed by the glorious reign of the Lord.

Context of Isaiah 24:23

Chapter 24 describes a sweeping judgment across the earth, a time of desolation and fear for its inhabitants. This judgment is not merely local but global, affecting all. Amidst this scene of chaos and divine wrath, verse 23 shifts focus to the glorious outcome: the establishment of God's eternal dominion. It marks the transition from earthly turmoil to heavenly order, where God's reign is supreme and undeniable, signifying the ultimate victory of the Creator over all creation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Ultimate Authority: The verse vividly portrays God's unparalleled power. Even the most brilliant celestial bodies—the sun and moon—will be "confounded" and "ashamed" in the presence of His glory. This emphasizes that no created thing, however majestic or powerful, can compare to the Creator.
  • The Lord's Glorious Reign: The central promise is that "the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem." This points to a future, literal, and spiritual establishment of God's kingdom on earth, centered in Jerusalem, where His presence and authority will be fully manifest. This reign will be "glorious," indicating its splendor, power, and perfect righteousness.
  • Cosmic Humiliation and Reversal: The imagery of the sun and moon being "confounded" and "ashamed" signifies a cosmic reversal. In many ancient cultures, celestial bodies were revered or even worshipped as deities. Isaiah declares that in the face of God's perfect light and majesty, their brilliance will dim, showing their subservience to the true King. This concept is echoed in other prophetic visions, such as the New Jerusalem having no need for sun or moon because God's glory illuminates it.

Linguistic Insights

The title "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: YHWH Sabaoth) is highly significant. It portrays God as the commander of vast armies, both earthly and heavenly, emphasizing His omnipotence and sovereign control over all creation and all forces. The terms "confounded" and "ashamed" convey a sense of utter humiliation and diminished significance in the presence of an infinitely superior glory, highlighting the Creator's absolute preeminence over all created things.

Related Scriptures

This prophetic vision resonates with other biblical passages that describe God's ultimate reign and the new creation:

  • The concept of God dwelling and reigning in Jerusalem is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, often linked to the millennial kingdom or the eternal state (Zechariah 14:9, Revelation 11:15).
  • The dimming of celestial lights in comparison to divine glory is also found in Revelation 22:5, where the Lamb is the light of the New Jerusalem.

Practical Application

Isaiah 24:23 offers profound hope and a call to perspective for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God is Ultimately in Control: Despite present global turmoil, economic instability, or political unrest, this verse assures us that God's ultimate plan will prevail, culminating in His glorious reign. It provides comfort in uncertain times.
  • Our Hope is in His Kingdom: It directs our gaze beyond temporal realities to the eternal kingdom where God's justice, peace, and glory will be fully established. This provides a strong foundation for faith and motivation to live in light of His coming reign.
  • Worship the Creator, Not the Created: The imagery of the sun and moon being shamed serves as a powerful reminder to worship God alone, recognizing that all earthly and cosmic wonders derive their existence and purpose from Him. This challenges any form of idolatry or misplaced reverence.

This King James Version (KJV) verse stands as a beacon of eschatological hope, assuring us that the Lord of hosts will indeed reign gloriously, bringing all things under His perfect dominion and establishing His everlasting kingdom.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 60:19

    The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.

  • Revelation 21:23

    And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof.

  • Isaiah 13:10

    For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

  • Revelation 22:5

    And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

  • Hebrews 12:22

    But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

  • Revelation 6:12

    And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

  • Revelation 6:14

    And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
← Back