Isaiah 26:21

KJV

For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

KJV (with Strong's)

For, behold, the LORD {H3068} cometh out {H3318} of his place {H4725} to punish {H6485} the inhabitants {H3427} of the earth {H776} for their iniquity {H5771}: the earth {H776} also shall disclose {H1540} her blood {H1818}, and shall no more cover {H3680} her slain {H2026}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For see! ADONAI emerges from his place to punish those on earth for their sin. Then the earth will reveal the blood shed on it and no longer conceal its slain.

Berean Standard Bible

For behold, the LORD is coming out of His dwelling to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal her bloodshed and will no longer conceal her slain.

American Standard Version

For, behold, Jehovah cometh forth out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 26:21 presents a powerful prophetic declaration of the Lord's decisive and imminent intervention to judge the earth. This verse vividly portrays a time of ultimate divine reckoning when God will emerge from His dwelling to meticulously punish the inhabitants of the world for their pervasive iniquity, ensuring that all hidden acts of wickedness, especially bloodshed, are unequivocally exposed and accounted for, leaving no sin concealed from His righteous and perfect scrutiny.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a significant eschatological section of Isaiah (chapters 24-27), often referred to as "Isaiah's Apocalypse" due to its universal scope of judgment and salvation. Immediately preceding [Isaiah 26:21](/isaiah/26-21 "Isaiah 26:21 - The Lord Comes to Punish the Earth"), [Isaiah 26:20](/isaiah/26-20 "Isaiah 26:20 - God's People Hiding from Indignation") offers a comforting directive to God's people, instructing them to "enter into your chambers, and shut your doors about you: hide yourselves for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast." This creates a dramatic contrast: while the righteous are called to find refuge during a period of divine wrath, [Isaiah 26:21](/isaiah/26-21 "Isaiah 26:21 - The Lord Comes to Punish the Earth") shifts focus from the temporary protection of God's elect to the direct, active, and universal judgment of the Lord upon the earth's inhabitants. It signifies the transition from the anticipation of judgment to its certain and comprehensive execution, marking the end of the "indignation" and the commencement of divine reckoning for global sin.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While many of Isaiah's prophecies address specific historical events concerning Judah, Israel, and surrounding nations, chapters 24-27 transcend immediate historical settings to speak of a universal, end-time judgment. The concept of God "coming out of His place" resonates with ancient Near Eastern understandings of deities intervening in human affairs, but here it emphasizes the unique, personal, and sovereign action of Yahweh, the God of Israel. This divine movement signifies a deliberate and intentional act of justice. The powerful imagery of the "earth disclosing her blood" draws upon the deeply rooted ancient understanding that bloodshed, particularly innocent blood, defiles the land. This concept is prominent in the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Numbers 35:33](/numbers/35-33 "Numbers 35:33 - Blood Defiles the Land")) and dramatically exemplified by the cry of Abel's blood from the ground in [Genesis 4:10](/genesis/4-10 "Genesis 4:10 - Abel's Blood Cries Out"). Culturally, the earth was often seen as a silent witness, and its inability to "cover her slain" signifies a complete lack of concealment, implying that no crime, especially murder, can ultimately be hidden from divine knowledge and justice.

* **Key Themes:** The primary theme is **Divine Judgment** and **Sovereignty**, asserting that the Lord is not a passive observer but an active, righteous judge who will personally intervene to address global iniquity. This underscores God's **Holiness** and His absolute intolerance for sin, particularly the widespread moral corruption and violence that characterize the "iniquity" of the earth's inhabitants. Another crucial theme is **Accountability**, emphasizing that all wrongdoing, even that which is hidden or seemingly forgotten, will eventually be brought to light and met with divine retribution. The vivid imagery of the earth "disclosing her blood" highlights the theme of **Revelation and Exposure**, signifying that nothing will remain concealed from God's perfect justice. This judgment ultimately serves an **Eschatological Purpose**, paving the way for the establishment of God's righteous kingdom and the ultimate triumph of justice, as envisioned throughout Isaiah's broader prophetic message, particularly in passages like [Isaiah 2:4](/isaiah/2-4 "Isaiah 2:4 - Swords into Plowshares") and [Isaiah 11:9](/isaiah/11-9 "Isaiah 11:9 - No Harm on God's Holy Mountain").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred Tetragrammaton (YHWH), the proper, covenantal name of God, emphasizing His self-existent, eternal, and personal nature. The use of "the LORD" here underscores that it is the sovereign, immutable, and covenant-keeping God of Israel who is the active agent of judgment. His action is deliberate, rooted in His unchanging character, and carries the weight of His divine authority.
* **punish (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** This verb carries a broad semantic range, meaning "to visit," "to oversee," "to muster," or "to charge." While it can imply a benevolent visitation (e.g., God visiting His people with blessings), in this context, it clearly signifies a hostile intent—a visitation for the purpose of accountability and retribution. It denotes a meticulous and thorough inspection leading to the execution of justice, implying that God will not overlook any transgression, but will "visit" their iniquity upon them.
* **disclose (Hebrew, _gâlâh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to denude," "to uncover," "to reveal," or "to lay bare." When applied to the earth disclosing "her blood," it powerfully conveys that the earth will no longer be able to conceal the violence, murder, and bloodshed that has occurred upon it. This word emphasizes the complete and public revelation of previously hidden atrocities, asserting that the very ground will bear witness to the injustices committed, leaving nothing hidden from divine scrutiny.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place":** This clause announces a dramatic and certain divine intervention. The interjection "behold" (_hinneh_) serves to draw immediate and urgent attention to a momentous event. "The LORD cometh out of his place" is an anthropomorphic expression, not implying a change in God's omnipresence or a literal physical movement, but rather a decisive shift from His perceived forbearance or hiddenness to an active, manifest presence for the purpose of judgment. It signifies a direct, personal, and unavoidable engagement with human affairs, indicating that God's patience has reached its limit and His active justice is now unleashed.
* **"to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity":** This specifies the precise purpose and universal scope of God's coming. The judgment is comprehensive, directed at "the inhabitants of the earth," indicating a global reckoning that transcends national boundaries or specific historical periods. The underlying reason for this divine action is "their iniquity" (_ʻâvôn_), a term encompassing perversity, moral evil, wrongdoing, and the guilt associated with sin. This highlights God's righteous character and His unwavering commitment to holding all humanity accountable for their rebellion, moral corruption, and widespread wrongdoing.
* **"the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain":** This vivid personification describes the profound consequence of God's judgment and the earth's response to it. "Her blood" refers to the innocent blood shed upon the earth through acts of violence, murder, and oppression, which has soaked into the ground. The earth, which has silently borne witness to these atrocities, is now personified as actively "disclosing" (revealing, uncovering) them, meaning the hidden evidence of human wickedness will be brought to light. The phrase "shall no more cover her slain" powerfully reinforces this idea of absolute revelation; the ground will refuse to conceal the victims of violence, effectively acting as a witness against the perpetrators. This signifies a complete and public unveiling of all injustice, leaving nothing hidden from God's perfect and exhaustive justice.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 26:21 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its message of divine judgment with striking impact. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the phrase "the LORD cometh out of his place," which attributes human-like action (moving from one location to another) to God. This device emphasizes His active, personal, and intentional involvement in judgment, rather than portraying it as a detached or impersonal process. The most striking device is **Personification**, where "the earth" is given human qualities: it "shall disclose her blood" and "shall no more cover her slain." This vivid imagery transforms the ground itself into a living witness, implying that the very soil will reveal the atrocities committed upon it, refusing to conceal the evidence of violence and murder. This personification underscores the thoroughness and inevitability of divine justice, suggesting that even the silent earth will testify against human wickedness. Furthermore, the phrase "shall no more cover her slain" functions as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the absolute and complete nature of this revelation—no amount of blood or number of victims will remain hidden, highlighting the exhaustive and inescapable nature of God's reckoning.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 26:21 powerfully articulates the biblical truth of God's unwavering justice and the certainty of ultimate accountability for sin. It affirms that God is not indifferent to the pervasive wickedness in the world, particularly the egregious shedding of innocent blood, and that a day of comprehensive reckoning is absolutely assured. This verse connects deeply with the broader biblical narrative of divine judgment, where God's inherent holiness and perfect righteousness demand that all unrighteousness be confronted, exposed, and ultimately punished. It speaks to the profound principle that nothing is truly hidden from God's omniscient sight, and that every secret act of evil, every hidden injustice, will eventually be brought to light and met with divine retribution, ensuring that justice, though sometimes seemingly delayed, will ultimately and perfectly prevail. For the righteous, this truth offers profound comfort and enduring hope, knowing that God sees their suffering, hears their cries, and will ultimately vindicate them.

* [Genesis 4:10](/genesis/4-10 "The Voice of Abel's Blood")
* [Luke 12:2](/luke/12-2 "Nothing Hidden That Will Not Be Revealed")
* [Revelation 6:9-10](/revelation/6-9 "The Souls Under the Altar Crying for Justice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 26:21 stands as a potent and sobering reminder of God's ultimate sovereignty and His unyielding commitment to perfect justice. In a world often marked by unpunished atrocities, hidden injustices, and the apparent triumph of evil, this verse offers profound comfort to those who suffer under oppression and a stark, undeniable warning to those who perpetrate wickedness. For believers, it reinforces the foundational assurance that God sees all, knows all, and will ultimately set every wrong right. This profound truth should inspire us to live righteously, knowing that our actions, whether good or evil, are not hidden from His omnipresent sight. It calls us to align our lives with God's divine justice, to actively advocate for the oppressed, to speak truth to power, and to live with unwavering integrity, understanding that true and complete accountability is an inevitable reality. For those who disregard God's law and persist in rebellion, it is a stark declaration that every act of iniquity, especially those involving violence, corruption, and oppression, will be exposed and accounted for, urging immediate repentance and a turning to God's righteous ways before the day of His righteous and inescapable judgment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty of God's universal judgment in this verse deepen your understanding of justice in the world today, particularly concerning unpunished evils?**
* **What does the imagery of "the earth disclosing her blood" reveal about the pervasive nature of sin and its profound impact on creation and human society?**
* **How should the truth that nothing is ultimately hidden from God's sight influence your daily choices, your commitment to integrity, and your pursuit of righteousness?**

### FAQ
**What does "the LORD cometh out of his place" signify?**

Answer: This phrase is a powerful **anthropomorphism**, meaning it attributes a human-like action to God. It does not imply that God is limited to a specific physical location or that He literally moves from one spot to another. Instead, it signifies a dramatic and decisive shift in God's posture towards humanity. It means that God, who might seem distant, patient, or hidden, is now actively and personally intervening to execute judgment. It marks a moment of divine visitation where His presence is made manifest for the specific purpose of holding the earth accountable for its pervasive iniquity, moving from a state of perceived forbearance to one of active and undeniable retribution. This emphasizes the directness and certainty of His intervention.

**How does "the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain" relate to justice?**

Answer: This vivid and deeply symbolic imagery emphasizes the thoroughness and inescapability of divine justice. "Her blood" refers to the innocent blood shed upon the earth through countless acts of violence, murder, and oppression. The earth, which has absorbed these atrocities, is personified as no longer able or willing to conceal them. It means that all hidden crimes, especially those involving bloodshed and injustice, will be brought into the open and revealed for what they truly are. This signifies a complete and public unveiling of all injustice, ensuring that perpetrators will face accountability, and the victims' cries for justice, previously unheard by human courts or ignored by society, will finally be acknowledged and addressed by God Himself. This aligns perfectly with the biblical principle that nothing is truly hidden from God, as powerfully stated in [Luke 12:2](/luke/12-2 "Luke 12:2 - Nothing Hidden Will Remain Hidden").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 26:21 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While the verse speaks of a future, universal judgment executed by the LORD, the New Testament reveals that all judgment has been definitively entrusted to the Son ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Has Given All Judgment to the Son")). Christ is the one who will indeed "come out of his place" at His glorious second advent, not merely to punish, but to establish His righteous kingdom, bring all hidden things to light, and judge the living and the dead ([1 Corinthians 4:5](/1_corinthians/4-5 "1 Corinthians 4:5 - The Lord Will Bring to Light Hidden Things") and [2 Timothy 4:1](/2_timothy/4-1 "2 Timothy 4:1 - Christ Will Judge the Living and the Dead")). The "iniquity" for which the earth is punished is the very sin that Christ bore on the cross, offering a path to redemption and reconciliation for all who believe ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Furthermore, the "blood" that the earth discloses, crying out for justice, finds its counterpoint in the infinitely precious blood of Christ, which "speaks a better word than the blood of Abel" ([Hebrews 12:24](/hebrews/12-24 "Hebrews 12:24 - The Blood of Sprinkling")). While Abel's blood cried out for vengeance, Christ's blood cries out for forgiveness, mercy, and reconciliation, offering a divine means to escape the just judgment described in Isaiah 26:21. Ultimately, the judgment detailed here serves to clear the way for the eternal reign of Christ, where righteousness will dwell, and there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Mourning")).

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

Isaiah 18:4

For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, [and] like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.

Isaiah 13:11

And I will punish the world for [their] evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.

Job 16:18

O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.

Revelation 6:9

¶ And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

Revelation 6:11

And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled.

Jude 1:14

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

Jude 1:15

¶ To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard [speeches] which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.