Isaiah 24:6

KJV

Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore hath the curse {H423} devoured {H398} the earth {H776}, and they that dwell {H3427} therein are desolate {H816}: therefore the inhabitants {H3427} of the earth {H776} are burned {H2787}, and few {H4213} men {H582} left {H7604}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore a curse is devouring the land, and its inhabitants are punished for their guilt. It is why those living there waste away, and the people left are few.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore a curse has consumed the earth, and its inhabitants must bear the guilt; the earth’s dwellers have been burned, and only a few survive.

American Standard Version

Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are found guilty: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 24:6 vividly portrays the catastrophic consequences of divine judgment upon a sin-laden world, emphasizing a universal desolation that leaves the earth consumed by a curse and its inhabitants decimated. This verse underscores the severity of God's righteous wrath against widespread rebellion, depicting a landscape of ruin where only a small remnant of humanity remains, highlighting the profound and destructive impact of iniquity on creation itself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 24:6 is situated within a significant prophetic section often referred to as "Isaiah's Apocalypse" (chapters 24-27), which shifts from judgments against specific nations to a sweeping, global judgment. The preceding verses (Isaiah 24:1-5) establish the premise for this universal devastation, stating that the Lord will lay waste to the earth, turning it upside down, because its inhabitants have "transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant" [Isaiah 24:5](/isaiah/24-5 "Isaiah 24:5 - Breaking the Covenant"). Verse 6 then functions as the direct consequence and amplification of this preceding declaration, detailing the extent of the curse and the resulting demographic collapse. It sets the stage for the lament and sorrow described in subsequent verses, leading into a broader narrative of cosmic upheaval and eventual restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the immediate historical trigger for this prophecy is not explicitly stated, the imagery draws upon common ancient Near Eastern concepts of divine judgment, where natural disasters, famine, and war were often understood as manifestations of divine displeasure. The "curse" (Hebrew: *'alah*) mentioned here resonates with covenant curses found in Mosaic law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")), which promised desolation for disobedience. The concept of the earth suffering due to human sin was also prevalent, reflecting a holistic understanding of creation where humanity's actions had cosmic repercussions. The "earth" (*'erets*) in this context can refer to the entire globe or a specific land, but the surrounding verses in [Isaiah 24](/isaiah/24 "Isaiah 24 - The Lord's Judgment on the Earth") clearly indicate a universal scope, transcending national boundaries to encompass all humanity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes central to Isaiah's prophecy and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Universal Divine Judgment**, emphasizing that God's justice is not confined to Israel but extends over all creation and humanity, holding all accountable for rebellion against His moral order. Secondly, the theme of **The Curse and Desolation** is paramount, illustrating the direct and devastating impact of sin on both humanity and the physical world, leading to widespread ruin and emptiness. This echoes the original curse on creation due to human sin in [Genesis 3:17-19](/genesis/3-17 "Genesis 3:17-19 - The Curse on the Ground"). Lastly, the phrase "few men left" introduces the recurring prophetic theme of a **Remnant**, suggesting that even in the most severe judgments, God preserves a small portion, often for His redemptive purposes. This theme is crucial throughout Isaiah, pointing to a future hope beyond immediate destruction, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 10:20-22](/isaiah/10-20 "Isaiah 10:20-22 - The Remnant of Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Curse (Hebrew, _ʼâlâh'_):** This word (H423) signifies an imprecation, an oath, or a solemn execration. In this context, it is not merely a spoken word but a powerful, active force of divine judgment that brings about desolation. It implies a binding, inescapable consequence for covenant breaking and widespread iniquity, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to justice.
* **Devoured (Hebrew, _ʼâkal'_):** From the primitive root H398, meaning "to eat" or "consume," this verb vividly personifies the curse as an active agent that literally consumes the earth. It suggests a thorough and destructive process, leaving nothing untouched. This imagery conveys the totality of the judgment, as if the land itself is being consumed by a destructive fire or plague.
* **Burned (Hebrew, _chârar'_):** Derived from H2787, meaning "to glow, melt, burn, or dry up," this word describes the intense effect of the judgment on the inhabitants. It evokes imagery of scorching heat, indicating severe suffering, purification, or destruction. The burning implies an intense, inescapable affliction that reduces the population, aligning with the idea of a fiery judgment.
* **Inhabitants (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** From H3427, meaning "to sit down, dwell, or remain," this term refers to those who reside on the earth. Its repetition emphasizes that the judgment is specifically targeting and affecting the human population, highlighting their culpability and the direct consequences they face for their actions.
* **Few (Hebrew, _mizʻâr'_):** This word (H4213) denotes "fewness" or "diminutiveness." Its use here starkly underscores the devastating demographic impact of the judgment, indicating a drastic reduction in population. It implies that the vast majority are destroyed, leaving only a small, almost insignificant number remaining, reinforcing the severity of the divine reckoning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth,"**: This clause establishes the direct causal link between the widespread sin described in the preceding verses and the resulting devastation. The "curse" is personified as an active, consuming entity, indicating that the earth itself is suffering under the weight of human iniquity and divine judgment.
* **"and they that dwell therein are desolate:"**: This phrase immediately follows, showing the direct impact of the curse on humanity. The inhabitants are not merely affected but are rendered "desolate," implying a state of ruin, emptiness, and possibly guilt or punishment. Their desolation is a direct consequence of the earth's consumption by the curse.
* **"therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned,"**: This clause reiterates the causal link ("therefore") and introduces a new, intense image of destruction. The "inhabitants" are subjected to a fiery judgment, which could imply literal burning, intense suffering, or a process of purification and annihilation, further emphasizing the severity and universality of the judgment.
* **"and few men left."**: This final, stark phrase delivers the ultimate consequence: a drastic reduction in the human population. It signifies a near-total annihilation, leaving only a tiny remnant. This highlights the comprehensive nature of God's judgment and introduces the prophetic theme of a surviving remnant.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 24:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of widespread judgment. **Personification** is evident in "the curse devoured the earth," giving the abstract concept of a curse an active, destructive agency, as if it were a ravenous beast consuming everything in its path. The verse also utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme nature of the destruction; while not every single person is literally burned, the language conveys a sense of near-total annihilation and overwhelming devastation. There is a strong sense of **Parallelism**, particularly in the repetition of "therefore," which structurally links the cause (sin and curse) with the effect (desolation and burning). The vivid **Imagery** of a "devoured earth" and "burned inhabitants" creates a stark and unforgettable picture of ruin, appealing to the reader's senses to underscore the severity of the divine reckoning. The contrast between the vastness of "the earth" and the scarcity of "few men left" also employs **Juxtaposition** to highlight the catastrophic scale of the judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 24:6 stands as a stark testament to the biblical truth that sin has profound and devastating consequences, not only for humanity but for creation itself. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to justice, demonstrating that rebellion against His divine order will inevitably lead to judgment. The universal scope of this judgment reflects the universal nature of human sin, which has corrupted all aspects of creation since the Fall. Yet, even within this severe pronouncement, the mention of "few men left" subtly introduces the crucial biblical theme of a remnant, hinting at God's ultimate plan of preservation and redemption amidst widespread destruction. This foreshadows the eschatological hope where God will establish a new heaven and new earth, purged of sin and its effects.

* [Genesis 3:17-19](/genesis/3-17 "Genesis 3:17-19 - The Curse on the Ground")
* [Zephaniah 1:2-3](/zephaniah/1-2 "Zephaniah 1:2-3 - The Lord's Judgment to Consume All Things")
* [Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 24:6 serves as a sobering reminder of the gravity of sin and the certainty of God's justice. It compels us to confront the reality that our actions have far-reaching consequences, impacting not only our individual lives but also the broader world and even the very fabric of creation. This verse challenges any casual view of sin, impressing upon us the holiness of God who cannot tolerate unrighteousness indefinitely. It calls us to a profound sense of humility and a recognition of our dependence on divine mercy. Furthermore, it prompts us to consider our stewardship of the earth, understanding that its groaning is often tied to human rebellion. The mention of a "remnant" also offers a glimmer of hope, reminding us that even in judgment, God's purposes of salvation endure, preserving a people for Himself.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the universal scope of judgment in this verse challenge my understanding of God's justice and sovereignty?**
* **In what ways might I be contributing to the "curse" on the earth through personal or societal sin, and what steps can I take towards repentance and righteous living?**
* **How does the concept of a "remnant" in judgment offer hope and reorient my perspective on God's long-term plan for humanity?**

### FAQ
**What is the "curse" that devours the earth in Isaiah 24:6?**

Answer: The "curse" (Hebrew: *'âlâh'*) refers to a divine imprecation or judgment, a direct consequence of humanity's widespread transgression of God's laws and the breaking of His everlasting covenant, as mentioned in [Isaiah 24:5](/isaiah/24-5 "Isaiah 24:5 - Breaking the Covenant"). It's not merely a spoken word but an active, destructive force unleashed by God's righteous wrath, leading to desolation and ruin across the entire earth. It signifies the inevitable and severe repercussions of universal sin.

**Does "burned" imply literal fire, or is it symbolic?**

Answer: While the imagery of "burned" (Hebrew: *chârar'*) can certainly evoke literal fire, in prophetic literature, it often functions symbolically to represent intense suffering, purification, or complete destruction. Given the context of a global judgment, it likely signifies a devastating and widespread affliction that drastically reduces the population, akin to a scorching heat that leaves little behind. It emphasizes the severity and thoroughness of the divine judgment upon the inhabitants of the earth.

**What is the significance of "few men left"?**

Answer: The phrase "few men left" highlights the extreme severity and comprehensive nature of the judgment. It indicates a near-total annihilation of the earth's population, underscoring the devastating impact of God's wrath against sin. Theologically, it also introduces the recurring biblical theme of a "remnant"—a small portion of humanity preserved by God, often for His redemptive purposes. This remnant concept is crucial throughout Isaiah and points to God's faithfulness even amidst judgment, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 1:9](/isaiah/1-9 "Isaiah 1:9 - A Small Remnant Left").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 24:6, with its stark depiction of a curse devouring the earth and its inhabitants being burned, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The curse that consumes the world is the just consequence of humanity's rebellion against God, a curse that Christ Himself bore on the cross. [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse") declares that "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." He absorbed the full weight of divine judgment, enduring the "burning" wrath of God so that those who believe in Him might be spared. The "few men left" points to the concept of a remnant, which in the New Testament is understood as the church—those chosen and preserved by God through faith in Christ, forming a new humanity redeemed from the world's condemnation [Romans 9:27-29](/romans/9-27 "Romans 9:27-29 - A Remnant Will Be Saved"). While Isaiah foresees a physical desolation, the ultimate "burning" and consumption of sin and death are accomplished through Christ's atoning sacrifice, paving the way for a new creation where the curse is no more [Revelation 22:3](/revelation/22-3 "Revelation 22:3 - No More Curse"). Thus, the terrifying judgment of Isaiah 24:6 ultimately magnifies the redemptive work of Christ, who transforms the curse into blessing and offers salvation to all who believe.

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

Malachi 4:1

¶ For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

Matthew 7:14

Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Zechariah 5:3

Then said he unto me, This [is] the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off [as] on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off [as] on that side according to it.

Zechariah 5:4

I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.

Malachi 4:6

And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Leviticus 26:22

I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your [high] ways shall be desolate.

Romans 9:27

Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: