Isaiah 26:14

KJV

[They are] dead, they shall not live; [they are] deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.

KJV (with Strong's)

They are dead {H4191}, they shall not live {H2421}; they are deceased {H7496}, they shall not rise {H6965}: therefore hast thou visited {H6485} and destroyed {H8045} them, and made all their memory {H2143} to perish {H6}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The dead will not live again, the ghosts will not rise again; for you punished and destroyed them, wiped out all memory of them.

Berean Standard Bible

The dead will not live; the departed spirits will not rise. Therefore You have punished and destroyed them; You have wiped out all memory of them.

American Standard Version

They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all remembrance of them to perish.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 26:14 functions as a stark and definitive declaration within a prophetic song of deliverance, contrasting the irreversible and absolute doom of God's enemies—specifically the oppressive powers that afflicted Judah—with the enduring hope and secure future promised to His faithful people. It powerfully asserts God's sovereign power to execute comprehensive judgment, ensuring that those who oppose His divine will are not only physically eradicated but also utterly stripped of their legacy and memory, thereby highlighting the absolute and final nature of their demise.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Isaiah's "Little Apocalypse" (chapters 24-27), a visionary section of the book that prophesies God's universal judgment upon the earth and the ultimate establishment of His righteous, eternal kingdom. Chapter 26 itself is a magnificent song of praise and unwavering trust, celebrating God's steadfast faithfulness and His secure protection of His people. The preceding verses in this chapter, such as the declaration of perfect peace for those who trust in the Lord found in [Isaiah 26:3](/isaiah/26-3 "Isaiah 26:3 - Perfect Peace for the Steadfast"), set a tone of divine assurance and security for the righteous. Verse 14, therefore, serves as a dramatic and somber counterpoint within this triumphant song, delineating the grim, irreversible fate of the wicked—particularly the foreign oppressors who had afflicted Judah—thereby amplifying the blessed assurance and hope offered to the righteous within the very same prophetic hymn. It underscores the complete reversal of fortunes, where the once-powerful oppressors are utterly undone by divine decree.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the immediate historical referent for the "dead" oppressors is not explicitly named, the broader context of Isaiah frequently points to imperial powers such as Assyria and Babylon as the dominant foreign entities that threatened and oppressed Judah. The language used in this verse, particularly "deceased" (Hebrew, *Rephaim*), evokes ancient Near Eastern concepts of the underworld, where the shades of the dead were depicted as powerless, weak, and utterly unable to return to the land of the living or exert any influence. This imagery underscores the complete and utter incapacitation of these adversaries, consigning them to a state of permanent impotence. Furthermore, the desire for their "memory to perish" reflects a common ancient practice known as *damnatio memoriae*, where a defeated enemy's name, monuments, and legacy were systematically erased to signify their absolute defeat, prevent any future influence, and ensure their complete oblivion from collective remembrance. This was a profound act of dishonor and finality in the ancient world.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 26:14 contributes significantly to several major theological themes within the book of Isaiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully articulates the theme of **Divine Judgment and Justice**, affirming God's active and decisive intervention to bring an end to evil, oppression, and rebellion against His sovereignty. It demonstrates His absolute power to execute justice against those who defy Him, as seen in the broader prophetic pronouncements of judgment throughout the book, such as [Isaiah 13](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - Prophecy Against Babylon"). Secondly, it emphasizes the **Finality of the Wicked's Doom**, contrasting sharply with the hope of resurrection promised to God's people later in the same chapter, as explicitly stated in [Isaiah 26:19](/isaiah/26-19 "Isaiah 26:19 - The Resurrection of God's People"). The phrases "they shall not live" and "they shall not rise" highlight the permanent and irreversible nature of the destruction awaiting God's adversaries, signifying their utter powerlessness and inability to recover before His might. Lastly, the theme of the **Eradication of Memory** signifies a complete blotting out of their physical presence, their legacy, and any lasting influence, echoing other Old Testament passages where God promises to erase the memory of the wicked, such as [Psalm 9:5-6](/psalms/9-5-6 "Psalm 9:5-6 - God's Rebuke and the Perishing of Memory"). This speaks to the thoroughness of God's judgment, ensuring that the evil they perpetrated will not endure or be remembered in His eternal kingdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **dead (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** H4191. This primitive root means "to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill." In Isaiah 26:14, the participle form signifies a state of absolute lifelessness and cessation of being, emphasizing the definitive end of the oppressors' existence and power. It conveys a complete and irreversible termination, not merely a temporary state.
* **rise (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** H6965. This primitive root means "to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)." Here, in the negative "shall not rise," it underscores the absolute inability of the wicked to recover, revive, or regain any form of power, influence, or even life. It stands in stark contrast to the promise of resurrection for the righteous, highlighting the permanent incapacitation and ultimate defeat of God's adversaries.
* **memory (Hebrew, _zêker'_):** H2143. From the root meaning "to remember," this noun refers to "a memento, abstractly recollection... by implication, commemoration; memorial, memory, remembrance." In the context of "made all their memory to perish," it signifies the complete obliteration of their legacy, reputation, and any lasting impact they might have had. It implies a divine act that ensures no trace or influence of their evil deeds remains, effectively erasing them from history and future consideration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They are dead, they shall not live;":** This initial clause powerfully declares the definitive state of God's enemies. The use of "dead" (mûwth) signifies physical cessation, while the subsequent "they shall not live" (châyâh) reinforces the absolute absence of life or revival, indicating an irreversible and permanent state. This is a definitive statement of their utter defeat, removal from the sphere of active existence, and the finality of their judgment.
* **"they are deceased, they shall not rise:":** This clause reiterates and intensifies the previous statement through a powerful synonymous parallelism. "Deceased" (râphâʼ) specifically denotes the powerless dead, often referring to the *Rephaim* or shades in the underworld, implying a state of utter weakness and inability to return to life or power. "Shall not rise" (qûwm) further confirms their permanent incapacitation, highlighting that there will be no resurrection, restoration, or re-emergence for these adversaries, unlike the hope held out for God's people in the same chapter.
* **"therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them,":** This pivotal clause directly attributes the grim fate of the wicked to God's divine action, establishing His sovereignty over their demise. "Visited" (pâqad) implies a divine visitation with hostile intent, a reckoning or judgment, rather than a benevolent visit. "Destroyed" (shâmad) signifies a complete desolation and bringing to nought, an utter eradication. This emphasizes God's active, intentional, and sovereign involvement in bringing about the downfall of those who oppose Him, underscoring His justice and omnipotence.
* **"and made all their memory to perish.":** This concluding clause speaks to the ultimate and most profound aspect of God's judgment: the complete eradication of the wicked's legacy and influence. "Memory" (zêker) refers not just to recollection but to their lasting reputation, influence, and any impact they might have had. "To perish" (ʼâbad) means to wander away, lose oneself, or be destroyed completely. This signifies a divine act of erasure, ensuring that the evil perpetrated by them will not endure, be remembered, or continue to exert any power, thereby cleansing the earth of their oppressive influence and ensuring their utter oblivion.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 26:14 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment and finality. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, evident in the phrases "They are dead, they shall not live" and "they are deceased, they shall not rise." This repetition, using slightly varied but semantically equivalent vocabulary, serves to reinforce the concept of permanent demise and utter incapacitation, adding emphasis and solemnity to the declaration. There is also a profound **Contrast** woven throughout the chapter, where the irreversible fate of the wicked is starkly set against the blessed state, peace, and future resurrection of the righteous. This juxtaposition makes the judgment on the oppressors even more striking and highlights God's discerning justice. The phrase "made all their memory to perish" utilizes **Hyperbole** and strong, definitive language to emphasize the absolute and comprehensive nature of God's judgment, suggesting not just physical destruction but an erasure from history and collective consciousness, a complete blotting out of their very existence and influence. This entire verse is an powerful example of **Divine Action**, where God is explicitly portrayed as the ultimate agent of destruction and judgment, highlighting His sovereignty and active role in upholding cosmic justice and delivering His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 26:14 profoundly underscores the themes of divine justice and the ultimate triumph of God's righteousness. It reveals a God who is not passive in the face of oppression and wickedness but actively intervenes to bring about the downfall of those who defy Him and harm His people. The verse's declaration of permanent death and the eradication of memory for the wicked stands as a stark contrast to the hope of resurrection and eternal life promised to the righteous within the same prophetic song. This distinction highlights God's meticulous discernment between those who align with His will and those who oppose it, affirming that ultimately, no human power, oppressive regime, or self-aggrandizing legacy can withstand His sovereign judgment. It assures believers that evil will not have the final word and that God's justice will prevail, bringing a complete and final end to the influence of wickedness, ensuring the ultimate vindication of His people and the establishment of His righteous reign.

* [Psalm 37:10](/psalms/37-10 "Psalm 37:10 - The Wicked Will Be No More")
* [Malachi 4:1](/malachi/4-1 "Malachi 4:1 - The Day of the Lord and the Burning of the Wicked")
* [Revelation 20:14-15](/revelation/20-14-15 "Revelation 20:14-15 - The Second Death and the Lake of Fire")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 26:14 offers both profound comfort to the oppressed and a sobering warning to the oppressor. For the believer, it serves as an anchor of assurance that despite the apparent triumphs of evil, the pervasive injustice, and the suffering caused by oppressors in the present age, God's justice is utterly sovereign, meticulously executed, and ultimately decisive. We are reminded that God sees every act of wickedness, every tear shed, and will, in His perfect timing and according to His righteous will, bring a complete and irreversible end to all forms of rebellion against Him. This truth encourages patient endurance, unwavering trust in God's ultimate victory, and a steadfast hope that our ultimate vindication rests in His hands, not in our own efforts or the fleeting circumstances of this world. For those who might be tempted to oppress, exploit, or live in defiance of God's ways, this verse stands as a solemn and unequivocal warning. It declares that worldly power, influence, and even the desire for lasting memory are fragile and temporary when set against the eternal decree of the Almighty. Our true legacy is not built on earthly achievements or fleeting dominance, but on our relationship with God and our humble obedience to His commands, for only what is done for Christ will last.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the absolute finality of the wicked's judgment in this verse strengthen your trust in God's justice in a world where evil often seems to prevail and prosper?**
* **In what ways might the concept of "memory perishing" serve as a warning against seeking worldly fame, power, or a lasting legacy over spiritual faithfulness and humble service to God?**
* **How does the stark contrast between the fate of the wicked described here and the hope for the righteous (e.g., in [Isaiah 26:19](/isaiah/26-19 "Isaiah 26:19 - The Resurrection of God's People")) shape your understanding of God's ultimate plan for humanity and the importance of our choices?**

### FAQ
**Does "made all their memory to perish" mean God literally erases historical records or human recollection?**

Answer: While the phrase "made all their memory to perish" (Hebrew, *zêker*, H2143, to perish H6, *ʼâbad*) can imply a complete blotting out, it is primarily a theological and prophetic statement rather than a literal promise to erase all historical records or human recollection. It signifies a divine act ensuring that the wicked's influence, legacy, and any positive or significant remembrance of them will be utterly removed and cease to have any power or presence in God's eternal kingdom. It speaks to their ultimate insignificance and the triumph of God's righteous order, where the evil they perpetrated will no longer be a factor, a source of remembrance, or a threat in the new creation. This concept is echoed in other passages, such as [Psalm 9:5-6](/psalms/9-5-6 "Psalm 9:5-6 - God's Rebuke and the Perishing of Memory"), where God rebukes the wicked and makes their name perish, emphasizing their ultimate spiritual and historical irrelevance in the face of God's eternal purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 26:14, with its stark declaration of death and the perishing of memory for God's enemies, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While the verse speaks of the judgment of earthly oppressors and the finality of their demise, it powerfully foreshadows Christ's decisive victory over all spiritual and physical enemies, most notably sin, death, and the grave. Jesus, through His crucifixion, absorbed the judgment due to humanity's rebellion and sin, becoming the ultimate sacrifice. Through His glorious resurrection, He conquered death itself, becoming the [resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life") for all who believe, offering eternal life where there was only death. The "dead" who "shall not live" and "shall not rise" in Isaiah 26:14 ultimately represent those who remain in spiritual death, rejecting the life offered in Christ, and consequently face the "second death" in the [lake of fire](/revelation/20-14 "Revelation 20:14 - Death and Hades Thrown into the Lake of Fire"). Conversely, for those in Christ, death, once the "last enemy," is definitively [swallowed up in victory](/1_corinthians/15-26 "1 Corinthians 15:26 - The Last Enemy, Death, Destroyed") through His triumph. Furthermore, the promise that the memory of the wicked will perish finds its ultimate realization in the new heavens and new earth, where God will [wipe away every tear](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Mourning"), and the former things, including the memory of evil, oppression, and suffering, will "not be remembered or come to mind" ([Isaiah 65:17](/isaiah/65-17 "Isaiah 65:17 - New Heavens and New Earth")). Thus, Christ's triumph ensures not only the ultimate demise of all opposition to God's kingdom but also the establishment of an eternal reality where the very memory of sin and its devastating effects is gloriously abolished for His redeemed people, ushering in an era of perfect peace and righteousness.

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

Revelation 18:2

And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

Revelation 18:3

For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

Proverbs 10:7

¶ The memory of the just [is] blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

Habakkuk 2:18

What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?

Habakkuk 2:20

But the LORD [is] in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

Isaiah 14:19

But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, [and as] the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet.

Isaiah 14:22

For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD.