Isaiah 28:18

KJV

And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.

KJV (with Strong's)

And your covenant {H1285} with death {H4194} shall be disannulled {H3722}, and your agreement {H2380} with hell {H7585} shall not stand {H6965}; when the overflowing {H7857} scourge {H7752} shall pass through {H5674}, then ye shall be trodden down {H4823} by it.

Complete Jewish Bible

your covenant with death will be annulled, and your contract with Sh'ol will not stand. When the raging flood passes through, you will be trampled down by it.

Berean Standard Bible

Your covenant with death will be dissolved, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand. When the overwhelming scourge passes through, you will be trampled by it.

American Standard Version

And your covenant with death shall be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 28:18 powerfully declares the Lord's absolute sovereignty over the presumptuous and deceptive alliances forged by the leaders of Judah. Despite their boastful "covenant with death" and "agreement with hell," through which they believed they had secured immunity from divine judgment and impending invasion, God emphatically states that these pacts will be utterly annulled and will not stand. The verse warns that when the inevitable "overflowing scourge" of God's judgment sweeps through, those who trusted in their own cunning and false refuges rather than in Him will be overwhelmed and crushed by it, revealing the profound futility of human schemes against divine decree.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 28:18 is situated within a larger prophetic oracle (Isaiah 28:1-29) primarily directed at the proud and spiritually complacent leaders of Jerusalem, following an initial indictment of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim). The preceding verses, particularly [Isaiah 28:14-15](/isaiah/28-14-15 "Isaiah 28:14-15 - The Scoffers' Covenant with Death"), reveal the scoffing attitude of these leaders who boasted of their "covenant with death" and their "agreement with hell," believing they had found refuge from the "overflowing scourge." They saw themselves as shrewd, having made a pact that would protect them from the consequences of their actions and from the impending Assyrian invasion, which Isaiah consistently portrays as an instrument of God's judgment. Verse 18 is God's direct, unequivocal response to their arrogant claims, dismantling their false security and setting the stage for the declaration of God's true, unshakeable foundation in [Isaiah 28:16](/isaiah/28-16 "Isaiah 28:16 - The Precious Cornerstone in Zion"). The passage then continues to describe the severity, certainty, and just nature of the coming judgment, contrasting human folly with divine wisdom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 28 is the turbulent late 8th century BCE, a period dominated by the relentless rise of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Both the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah faced existential threats from Assyria's aggressive expansion. The leaders in Jerusalem, rather than relying on the Lord for deliverance and protection, sought political alliances, most notably with Egypt, to counter the Assyrian menace. These treaties were often sealed with elaborate ceremonies and oaths, creating a false sense of security. Culturally, the phrases "covenant with death" and "agreement with hell" might allude to pagan practices, necromancy, or simply a deeply cynical worldview that believed human ingenuity and political maneuvering could outwit divine wrath or the natural course of destiny. The "scourge" (Hebrew: *shoṭ*) was a common instrument of punishment, but here it metaphorically represents an overwhelming, destructive force, typically an invading army, which would sweep through the land like a devastating flood, leaving widespread devastation in its wake. The imagery powerfully reflects the very real and terrifying threat of military conquest and the societal collapse it entailed.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the **Futility of Human Self-Reliance and False Security**. The leaders' "covenant with death" is a stark metaphor for placing trust in anything other than God—whether political alliances, military might, human wisdom, or even occult practices—to escape divine judgment. Isaiah consistently exposes such reliance as utterly worthless and deceptive, contrasting it sharply with the true and only secure foundation, which is the Lord Himself, as highlighted in [Isaiah 28:16](/isaiah/28-16 "Isaiah 28:16 - The Cornerstone of Zion"). Another prominent theme is the **Inevitable and Overwhelming Nature of Divine Judgment**. The "overflowing scourge" symbolizes God's unyielding justice, which no human pact or clever scheme can withstand. This judgment, often manifested through historical events like foreign invasions, serves to purify God's people and demonstrate His absolute **Sovereignty and Justice**. Despite human rebellion and arrogance, God's ultimate plan and righteous decrees will prevail, overturning all human attempts to circumvent His will, echoing the Lord's power seen in passages like [Isaiah 10:5-7](/isaiah/10-5-7 "Isaiah 10:5-7 - Assyria as God's Rod of Anger").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_):** From a root suggesting "cutting" (referencing the ancient practice of cutting animals in two when making a covenant), this term refers to a solemn, binding compact or agreement. In this context, it highlights the misplaced confidence of Judah's leaders in their human-made pacts, which are diametrically opposed to the divine covenants God establishes with His people. The very act of making such a "covenant with death" signifies a profound spiritual rebellion and a turning away from the Lord, indicating a deliberate choice to align with destructive forces rather than with the source of life.
* **Disannulled (Hebrew, _kâphar'_):** A primitive root meaning "to cover," but figuratively, it can signify expiation, condoning, placating, or, as here, canceling. In Isaiah 28:18, it denotes God's complete nullification and cancellation of the presumptuous agreement made by the leaders. This word choice underscores God's absolute authority to undo what humanity deems unbreakable, revealing the ultimate impotence and vanity of their schemes when confronted by divine power. It is a declaration of divine reversal.
* **Hell (Hebrew, _shᵉʼôwl'_):** Also transliterated as Sheol, this term refers to Hades or the world of the dead, a subterranean retreat, including its accessories and inmates. The "agreement with hell" underscores the deadly nature of the leaders' rebellion and the ultimate doom awaiting them. It is a pact with the very forces of destruction and the grave itself, highlighting the depth of their spiritual depravity and the dire consequences of their chosen path, signifying a complete abandonment of life-giving trust in God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And your covenant with death shall be disannulled,"**: This clause directly addresses the arrogant boast of the Jerusalem leaders from [Isaiah 28:15](/isaiah/28-15 "Isaiah 28:15 - The Scoffers' Boast"), declaring God's decisive action to invalidate their perceived security. Their solemn agreement, made with the very forces of destruction and mortality, is rendered null and void by divine decree. It signifies the utter futility and ultimate impotence of human attempts to escape divine judgment through self-contrived means, emphasizing God's supreme authority.
* **"and your agreement with hell shall not stand;"**: This parallel clause reinforces the first, using synonymous terms ("agreement" for "covenant," "hell" for "death") to emphasize the comprehensive undoing of their pact. The phrase "shall not stand" conveys a sense of instability, collapse, and failure, indicating that their foundation of false security, built on rebellion and human cleverness, will crumble completely and irrevocably when tested by God's righteous wrath.
* **"when the overflowing scourge shall pass through,"**: This introduces the agent of God's judgment. The "overflowing scourge" is a powerful and terrifying metaphor for an overwhelming, unstoppable force, likely referring to the Assyrian army, which God uses as His instrument of chastisement. The imagery of a "scourge" implies painful, severe punishment, while "overflowing" suggests an unstoppable flood that sweeps away all resistance, leaving no refuge and no escape.
* **"then ye shall be trodden down by it."**: This final clause describes the inevitable and devastating outcome for those who trusted in their false security. To be "trodden down" signifies utter defeat, humiliation, and complete destruction. It paints a vivid picture of being crushed underfoot, emphasizing the complete and devastating subjugation that awaits the defiant leaders and their people when the divine judgment, embodied by the "scourge," comes upon them, leaving them utterly helpless and exposed.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 28:18 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey its message of divine judgment with striking force. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically in the phrases "covenant with death" and "agreement with hell." These are not literal pacts with personified entities but powerful symbolic representations of the leaders' misguided reliance on human schemes, political alliances (likely with Egypt), or even occult practices, rather than on the living God. This implicit **Personification** of death and hell as entities with whom one can make a binding agreement underscores the depth of their spiritual rebellion and the deadly nature of their chosen path. The phrase "overflowing scourge" is another vivid **Metaphor**, portraying the impending judgment (likely the Assyrian invasion) as an unstoppable, destructive flood or a painful, relentless whip. This imagery evokes both the overwhelming power and the punitive nature of God's wrath, leaving no doubt as to its severity. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism** in the first two clauses ("your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand"), which reinforces the message of annulment through repetition and synonymous phrasing, adding emphasis and rhetorical force to God's absolute declaration of their pact's futility.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 28:18 serves as a profound theological statement on the futility of human autonomy and the absolute, unchallengeable sovereignty of God. It exposes the inherent danger and ultimate self-destruction of seeking security and salvation apart from the Lord, demonstrating that any "covenant" or "agreement" made with the forces of this world, or even with death itself, is ultimately powerless and will be shattered before the divine will. The verse underscores that God's judgment is not only inevitable but also comprehensive, sweeping away all false refuges and revealing the true nature of human rebellion and its dire consequences. It highlights the stark contrast between human presumption and divine power, asserting that what humanity deems unbreakable, God can effortlessly annul, thereby affirming His supreme authority over life, death, and the destiny of nations. This passage is a powerful reminder that true and lasting security is found only in God's eternal covenant, not in fleeting, self-contrived human arrangements.

* [Psalm 118:8-9](/psalms/118-8-9 "Psalm 118:8-9 - Trust in the Lord, Not Man")
* [Proverbs 10:29](/proverbs/10-29 "Proverbs 10:29 - The Way of the Lord is Strength")
* [Jeremiah 17:5-6](/jeremiah/17-5-6 "Jeremiah 17:5-6 - Cursed is the One Who Trusts in Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 28:18 stands as a timeless warning, challenging us to critically examine the foundations upon which we build our lives and seek our security. In an age where financial stability, political systems, technological advancements, personal achievements, or even self-help philosophies often become our "covenants" against the uncertainties and anxieties of life, this verse reminds us that anything we trust in apart from God is ultimately a "covenant with death" that will be "disannulled." It calls us to repent of any form of self-reliance or misplaced confidence and to reorient our trust solely upon the Lord, who alone offers true, eternal, and unshakeable refuge. The "overflowing scourge" may manifest in various forms in our lives—economic downturns, health crises, relational breakdowns, societal upheaval, or personal failures—and this passage assures us that only those whose hope is firmly rooted in God will stand when such trials pass through. It compels us to live in humble dependence, acknowledging God's absolute sovereignty over all circumstances and seeking His wisdom and guidance above our own perceived cleverness or strength.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "covenants" or agreements, perhaps subtly, do I rely on for security instead of God's unchanging faithfulness?**
* **How does the concept of an "overflowing scourge" challenge my sense of control and self-sufficiency in the face of life's inevitable difficulties?**
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to be "shrewd" or "wise" in my own eyes, rather than humbly trusting in the Lord's provision and guidance?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to deepen my reliance on God and intentionally build my life on His unshakeable foundation, rather than on fleeting human constructs?**

### FAQ
**What does "covenant with death" and "agreement with hell" mean in this context?**

Answer: These phrases are powerful metaphors used by Isaiah to describe the arrogant and misguided confidence of the leaders in Jerusalem. They represent their belief that through their own political maneuvering, alliances (likely with Egypt against Assyria), or perhaps even occult practices, they had secured themselves from any impending disaster or divine judgment. It signifies a profound spiritual rebellion where they placed their trust in human schemes and the forces of destruction rather than in the living God, effectively making a pact with the very things that lead to ruin. The Lord's declaration in [Isaiah 28:18](/isaiah/28-18 "Isaiah 28:18 - The Annulment of the Covenant") is that these pacts are utterly worthless and will be broken, demonstrating the futility of seeking refuge in anything but God.

**What is the "overflowing scourge" and why is it significant?**

Answer: The "overflowing scourge" (Hebrew: *shoṭ shoṭef*) is a vivid metaphorical image representing an overwhelming and unstoppable force of divine judgment. In the immediate historical context, it primarily refers to the relentless advance of the Assyrian army, which God would use as His instrument to punish Judah for its disobedience and false trust. The term "scourge" implies severe punishment, like a whip, while "overflowing" suggests an unstoppable flood that sweeps away everything in its path. Its significance lies in highlighting the inevitability and comprehensive nature of God's judgment; no human defense or agreement, no matter how cunningly devised, can withstand or escape it, as stated in [Isaiah 28:15](/isaiah/28-15 "Isaiah 28:15 - The Scoffers' False Refuge"). It underscores that God's justice will ultimately prevail over all human defiance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 28:18, with its declaration of the annulment of a "covenant with death and agreement with hell," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The false security sought by Judah's leaders through their futile pacts stands in stark contrast to the true and eternal security offered by God through His Son. While humanity, by nature, is under a "covenant with death" due to sin, leading to spiritual and physical demise, Christ entered into that realm on our behalf. His crucifixion and resurrection represent the definitive "disannulment" of sin's power and death's sting. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus has definitively conquered death and hell, as foreshadowed in passages like [Hosea 13:14](/hosea/13-14 "Hosea 13:14 - Victory Over Death") and powerfully articulated in [1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Death Swallowed Up in Victory"). He is the "precious cornerstone" (as referenced in [Isaiah 28:16](/isaiah/28-16 "Isaiah 28:16 - The Cornerstone of Zion")) upon whom God builds His true and eternal covenant, a covenant of grace and peace. For those who trust in Him, the "overflowing scourge" of divine wrath, which justly falls upon sin, has been fully borne by Christ on the cross, ensuring that believers will not be "trodden down" but rather lifted up into new life. His victory over the grave means that death no longer holds dominion over those who are in Him, fulfilling the promise of resurrection and eternal life found in [Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus Holds the Keys of Death and Hades"). Thus, the terrifying judgment promised in Isaiah 28:18 is transformed into glorious deliverance and eternal life for all who enter into the New Covenant established by the precious blood of Christ.

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 7:7

Thus saith the Lord GOD, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.

Isaiah 8:10

Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God [is] with us.

Isaiah 28:15

Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:

Isaiah 28:3

The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:

Daniel 11:40

And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.

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.

Malachi 4:3

And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do [this], saith the LORD of hosts.