Isaiah 5:13

KJV

Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because [they have] no knowledge: and their honourable men [are] famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore my people {H5971} are gone into captivity {H1540}, because they have no knowledge {H1847}: and their honourable {H3519} men {H4962} are famished {H7458}, and their multitude {H1995} dried up {H6704} with thirst {H6772}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For such lack of knowledge my people go into exile; this is also why their respected men starve and their masses are parched from thirst.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore My people will go into exile for their lack of understanding; their dignitaries are starving and their masses are parched with thirst.

American Standard Version

Therefore my people are gone into captivity for lack of knowledge; and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude are parched with thirst.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 5:13 delivers a potent prophetic indictment, declaring that ancient Judah's impending exile is a direct consequence of their profound spiritual ignorance and moral decay. The verse asserts that a fundamental "lack of knowledge" concerning God's character and commands has led to the spiritual and physical destitution of both their esteemed leaders and the general populace, vividly depicted through the powerful imagery of famine and thirst. This pronouncement underscores the inseparable link between a nation's spiritual health and its ultimate destiny under divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 5:13 is strategically situated within a series of "woes" pronounced by the prophet Isaiah against the pervasive moral and spiritual corruption in Judah, beginning around [Isaiah 5:8](/isaiah/5-8 "Isaiah 5:8 - Woe to those who join house to house"). This section immediately follows the poignant "Song of the Vineyard" in [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard"), an allegorical lament where God, portrayed as a diligent vineyard owner, expresses profound disappointment over Israel's failure to yield righteous fruit despite His meticulous care. Verse 13 serves as a direct, explicit statement of the inevitable judgment—exile—that will be befall the people, transitioning from metaphorical indictment to a stark declaration of divine consequence for their spiritual barrenness and disobedience, thereby setting the stage for further pronouncements of judgment and the eventual hope of restoration in later chapters.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah's prophetic ministry spanned a turbulent period in Judah's history, encompassing the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. This era was characterized by significant political instability, with Judah caught between the rising power of Assyria, which had already begun to conquer and exile the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and the lingering influence of Egypt. Culturally, Judah had fallen into widespread idolatry, syncretism, and severe social injustice, where the wealthy oppressed the poor and legal systems were corrupted. While religious rituals continued, they often lacked genuine heart-knowledge of God, becoming mere external forms. The concept of "captivity" or "exile" was a terrifying and all-too-real punishment for conquered nations in the ancient Near East, a fulfillment of the covenant curses vividly outlined in passages like [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience"), which warned of displacement and suffering for disobedience to God's Law.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prominent in Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the **Consequences of Spiritual Ignorance**, positing that a profound "lack of knowledge" of God's character, commands, and covenant is the root cause of national calamity. This echoes the lament found in [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - My People Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge"), where God declares, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Secondly, the vivid imagery of **Spiritual Famine and Thirst** portrays not only the physical deprivations of exile but, more profoundly, a deep spiritual starvation. Both leaders and the general populace would experience a profound absence of divine truth and sustenance, a judgment foreshadowed in [Amos 8:11](/amos/8-11 "Amos 8:11 - A Famine of Hearing God's Words"), which speaks of a "famine of hearing the words of the Lord." Finally, the verse clearly articulates the theme of **Divine Judgment and Exile**, serving as a stark reminder that God's covenant people are not exempt from the severe, divinely ordained consequences of persistent rebellion and spiritual apathy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **people (Hebrew, _ʻam'_):** This term (H5971) refers to a "people" as a congregated unit, specifically a tribe like Israel, or collectively, troops or attendants. Here, its use as "my people" emphasizes the profound tragedy that judgment is falling upon God's chosen covenant nation, highlighting their corporate responsibility and the deep pain of their separation from Him.
* **captivity (Hebrew, _gâlâh'_):** From the root H1540, meaning "to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal." This word implies not just physical removal but often a disgraceful stripping away of dignity, identity, and security. The people are not simply migrating; they are being forcibly removed, stripped of their land, temple, and freedom, a direct consequence of their spiritual nakedness and exposure before God.
* **knowledge (Hebrew, _daʻath'_):** This crucial term (H1847) signifies more than mere intellectual information; it denotes experiential knowledge, understanding, discernment, and a relational knowing of God and His will. The "no knowledge" implies a profound failure to truly know God in a covenantal, transformative way, leading to spiritual blindness, moral decay, and a lack of discernment regarding His ways and warnings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore my people are gone into captivity":** This clause declares the inevitable and divinely ordained consequence of Judah's spiritual state. The "therefore" serves as a logical connector, linking directly to the preceding "woes" and the "Song of the Vineyard," indicating that the impending exile is a direct result of their unfaithfulness. The phrase "my people" underscores God's covenant relationship with Israel, making their disobedience and subsequent judgment all the more tragic and poignant. The "captivity" (exile) is not merely a political event but a divinely orchestrated consequence.
* **"because [they have] no knowledge":** This is presented as the foundational and primary reason for the judgment. The "no knowledge" (Hebrew: _daʻath_) indicates a profound spiritual and relational deficiency—a failure to truly know God, His character, His will, and His covenant demands. This lack of experiential understanding led to moral corruption, social injustice, and spiritual apathy, rendering them incapable of discerning God's warnings or walking in His ways.
* **"and their honourable men [are] famished":** This clause highlights the comprehensive impact of the judgment, specifically targeting the leadership and elite of society. "Honourable men" (Hebrew: _kâbôwd_) refers to those of high standing, influence, or wealth. Their "famished" state signifies not only the physical hunger they would endure during exile but, more profoundly, a spiritual starvation—a lack of divine truth, wisdom, and sustenance that even their earthly prestige and power cannot alleviate. It indicates that spiritual barrenness permeated all levels of society.
* **"and their multitude dried up with thirst":** This extends the judgment's reach to the general populace, the "multitude" (Hebrew: _hâmôwn_). The imagery of being "dried up with thirst" vividly portrays widespread desolation and deprivation. Like the famished leaders, the common people experience a profound spiritual thirst that cannot be quenched, symbolizing their separation from the living waters of God's presence and truth, a direct outcome of their collective spiritual ignorance and rebellion.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 5:13 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its powerful message of judgment and its underlying causes. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the physical sensations of "famished" and "dried up with thirst" serve as vivid representations of profound spiritual destitution. This imagery transcends mere physical suffering, pointing to a deeper hunger for truth and a thirst for God's presence that has gone unfulfilled due to their spiritual ignorance and estrangement from Him. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the two phrases "their honourable men are famished" and "their multitude dried up with thirst" convey similar ideas of widespread suffering and deprivation. This structural mirroring reinforces the comprehensiveness of the judgment, affecting all societal strata from the elite to the common person, and emphasizes the universality of their spiritual barrenness. Furthermore, there is an element of **Hyperbole** in the starkness and totality of the imagery, emphasizing the utter desolation and complete lack of spiritual vitality that has afflicted the nation, making the consequences of their "no knowledge" profoundly impactful and inescapable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 5:13 stands as a powerful testament to the biblical principle that genuine knowledge of God is not merely intellectual assent but a transformative, relational understanding that profoundly shapes one's life and society. The "no knowledge" spoken of here is a profound spiritual blindness, a failure to discern God's character, His righteous demands, and His covenant faithfulness, leading inevitably to moral decay and divine judgment. This verse underscores the sovereignty of God in orchestrating historical events, using even foreign empires as instruments of His righteous discipline. It highlights that true prosperity and security for a nation are rooted not in military might or economic prowess, but in a vibrant, obedient relationship with the living God, without which spiritual famine and captivity are the unavoidable outcomes.

* [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - My People Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge")
* [Amos 8:11-12](/amos/8-11-12 "Amos 8:11-12 - A Famine of Hearing God's Words")
* [Jeremiah 4:22](/jeremiah/4-22 "Jeremiah 4:22 - My People Are Foolish")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 5:13 serves as a timeless and urgent warning, profoundly relevant for individuals and communities today. It compels us to examine the depth and nature of our own "knowledge" of God. Is it merely an intellectual acquaintance with theological facts, or is it a living, transformative relationship that informs our decisions, shapes our character, and guides our actions in every sphere of life? The spiritual famine and thirst described here are not just historical events confined to ancient Judah but potential realities for those who neglect the Word of God and fail to earnestly seek His face. In a world saturated with information and fleeting distractions, the true famine often lies in a widespread lack of spiritual discernment and a genuine hunger for eternal truth. This verse calls us to cultivate a deep, experiential knowledge of God through diligent study of His Word, fervent prayer, and active obedience, lest we, too, experience a spiritual desiccation that leads to a form of captivity—enslavement to sin, worldly desires, or profound spiritual apathy. It reminds us that spiritual nourishment is not optional; it is absolutely essential for true life, freedom, and flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might a "lack of knowledge" about God's character, His commands, or His promises be leading to spiritual "famine" or "thirst"?**
* **How actively and intentionally am I pursuing a deeper, more experiential knowledge of God through His Word, prayer, and community?**
* **What are the potential "captivities" or forms of spiritual bondage that can arise from neglecting God's truth and wisdom in contemporary society, both individually and corporately?**
* **How can I, as an individual or as part of a faith community, contribute to fostering a greater hunger and thirst for God's truth and righteousness in a world often distracted by fleeting pleasures and superficial pursuits?**

### FAQ
**What does "no knowledge" specifically mean in Isaiah 5:13?**

Answer: In Isaiah 5:13, "no knowledge" (Hebrew: _daʻath_) refers to far more than a simple lack of factual information. It signifies a profound spiritual and relational ignorance. It means the people lacked a deep, experiential understanding of God's character, His covenant, His righteous demands, and His will. This was not merely an intellectual deficit but a moral and spiritual one, indicating a pervasive failure to live in accordance with the truth they had received. This deficiency led to a breakdown in their covenant relationship with God and a widespread moral corruption, as highlighted in parallel prophetic laments such as [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - My People Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge"), where God laments that His people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

**How does the imagery of "famished" and "dried up with thirst" apply beyond physical suffering?**

Answer: While the imagery of "famished" and "dried up with thirst" certainly points to the physical hardships of exile and deprivation, it carries a profound spiritual meaning in Isaiah 5:13. It metaphorically describes a state of severe spiritual starvation and desiccation. Because the people lacked true knowledge of God, they were effectively cut off from the ultimate source of life, truth, and spiritual nourishment. Their souls were parched, and their spirits withered, unable to find sustenance in their idolatry, social injustice, and unrighteousness. This spiritual famine and thirst are presented as a judgment in themselves, echoing prophecies like [Amos 8:11](/amos/8-11 "Amos 8:11 - A Famine of Hearing God's Words"), which foretells a "famine of hearing the words of the Lord" rather than a famine of bread or water.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 5:13, with its stark portrayal of a people gone into captivity due to a "lack of knowledge" and suffering from spiritual famine and thirst, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "knowledge" that Judah so desperately lacked was a true, relational understanding of God, which humanity, in its fallen state, could never fully grasp or perfectly obey. Jesus, as the incarnate Word, is the very embodiment of God's knowledge and wisdom (cf. [Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge")). He came to reveal the Father fully, declaring, "No one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him" ([Matthew 11:27](/matthew/11-27 "Matthew 11:27 - No one knows the Father except the Son")). Furthermore, the spiritual famine and thirst that plagued Judah are precisely what Christ came to satisfy. He declared Himself to be the "bread of life," promising, "Whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). He offered "living water" that would quench all spiritual thirst, promising that "Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again" ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Jesus Offers Living Water")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ delivers us from the captivity of sin and ignorance, granting us access to true knowledge of God and an eternal supply of spiritual nourishment, transforming our famished and thirsty souls into vibrant, Spirit-filled lives (cf. [John 7:37-39](/john/7-37-39 "John 7:37-39 - Rivers of Living Water")). He is the ultimate answer to humanity's deepest hunger and thirst.

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

Hosea 4:6

¶ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Isaiah 1:3

The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: [but] Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

Isaiah 27:11

When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, [and] set them on fire: for it [is] a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.

Isaiah 1:7

Your country [is] desolate, your cities [are] burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and [it is] desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

Romans 1:28

And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

John 3:19

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

John 3:20

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.