Isaiah 5:20

KJV

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

KJV (with Strong's)

Woe {H1945} unto them that call {H559} evil {H7451} good {H2896}, and good {H2896} evil {H7451}; that put {H7760} darkness {H2822} for light {H216}, and light {H216} for darkness {H2822}; that put {H7760} bitter {H4751} for sweet {H4966}, and sweet {H4966} for bitter {H4751}!

Complete Jewish Bible

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who change darkness into light and light into darkness, who change bitter into sweet and sweet into bitter!

Berean Standard Bible

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.

American Standard Version

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 5:20 pronounces a severe divine judgment, a "woe," upon those who deliberately invert fundamental moral and spiritual distinctions. The verse condemns a society that has so thoroughly corrupted its ethical framework that it redefines good as evil and evil as good, substitutes darkness for light and light for darkness, and exchanges bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. This prophetic declaration highlights a profound societal and spiritual perversion, warning of the inevitable calamitous consequences that follow the rejection of God's objective standards of truth and righteousness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 5 is a powerful and somber chapter within the book of Isaiah, serving as a prophetic indictment against the Kingdom of Judah. It immediately follows the "Song of the Vineyard" (Isaiah 5:1-7), an allegorical lament where God, as the vineyard owner, expresses disappointment over His unfruitful people. Verses 8-25 then pivot to a series of six "woes" (Hebrew: *hôwy*) pronounced against specific societal sins prevalent in Judah, including greed (vv. 8-10), drunkenness and revelry (vv. 11-12), arrogance (vv. 18-19), and injustice (vv. 21-23). Isaiah 5:20 stands as a foundational woe, condemning the intellectual and moral depravity that undergirds all these other transgressions, revealing a society that had lost its moral compass and actively distorted reality. This moral inversion is presented as a root cause of Judah's impending judgment, leading to the ultimate desolation described in the latter part of the chapter, where God's wrath is depicted as a devouring fire (Isaiah 5:24-30).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Isaiah ministered in Judah during the 8th century BC (c. 740-680 BC), a period marked by significant political upheaval, social injustice, and widespread spiritual apostasy. Kings like Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah reigned, facing threats from Assyria and internal decay. Despite outward religious observance, the nation was rife with corruption, exploitation of the poor, and a pervasive disregard for God's covenant law. The cultural milieu saw a blurring of lines between sacred and profane, as people adopted pagan practices and embraced a relativistic worldview that prioritized personal gain and pleasure over divine truth. Isaiah's pronouncements reflect a society where justice was perverted in the courts, the wealthy oppressed the vulnerable, and a spiritual dullness had set in, making the people incapable of discerning God's will. This moral decay was not accidental but a deliberate choice to redefine reality in defiance of the Creator, leading to the nation's eventual exile, as foretold by prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Seventy Years of Exile")).
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 5:20 powerfully articulates several key themes central to the book of Isaiah and biblical theology. The most prominent is **Moral Inversion and Perversion**, where the objective standards of good and evil, truth and falsehood, are deliberately reversed. This is not merely a mistake but an active defiance of God's established moral order, signifying a profound spiritual sickness and a seared conscience. Closely related is **Spiritual Blindness and Deception**, as the parallel phrases "darkness for light, and light for darkness" and "bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter" underscore a deep-seated inability or unwillingness to discern spiritual truth. Those under this woe mistake falsehood for enlightenment and destructive paths for beneficial ones, echoing the New Testament warning that "men loved darkness rather than light" ([John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Men Loved Darkness Rather Than Light")). Finally, the pronouncement of "woe" highlights the **Consequences of Rejecting God's Standards**. It serves as a solemn warning of impending divine judgment and calamity, emphasizing that such moral and spiritual perversion directly challenges the very nature of God, who is the source of all goodness and truth, and thus will not go unpunished.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Woe (Hebrew, _hôwy'_):** This interjection is a prolonged form of "oh!" and functions as an exclamation of lament, grief, or warning. In prophetic literature, it frequently introduces a declaration of impending judgment, disaster, or divine curse. It signifies a profound sense of sorrow for the state of affairs and a solemn pronouncement of the dire consequences that will follow. Here, it is not merely an expression of pity but a weighty pronouncement of condemnation against those who actively pervert truth.
* **Evil (Hebrew, _raʻ'_), Good (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** These two words represent the fundamental moral opposition at the heart of the verse. _Raʻ_ signifies badness in its widest sense, encompassing natural evil (calamity, distress) and moral evil (wickedness, mischief, wrong). _Ṭôwb_ denotes goodness in its broadest sense, referring to that which is beautiful, pleasant, beneficial, righteous, or morally upright. The act of calling _raʻ_ (evil) _ṭôwb_ (good) and vice versa is the ultimate moral inversion, a deliberate redefinition of reality that defies God's inherent character as the standard of all goodness.
* **Put (Hebrew, _sûwm'_):** This primitive root is highly versatile, meaning "to put," "to place," "to set," or "to appoint." In this context, it emphasizes the active, intentional nature of the perversion. It's not a passive misunderstanding but a deliberate act of exchanging or substituting one thing for another. The individuals described are not merely confused; they are actively orchestrating a reversal of divine order, consciously placing darkness where light should be and bitter where sweet belongs.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Woe unto them":** This opening phrase sets the tone as a solemn pronouncement of judgment and lament. It is a divine curse or warning directed at a specific group, indicating that severe consequences await them for their actions.
* **"that call evil good, and good evil;":** This is the core accusation, highlighting a radical moral inversion. It describes those who intentionally redefine ethical standards, declaring what God deems wicked as acceptable or even laudable, and what God deems righteous as undesirable or contemptible. This goes beyond mere disagreement; it is a deliberate subversion of objective truth.
* **"that put darkness for light, and light for darkness;":** This parallel phrase extends the moral inversion to the realm of spiritual and intellectual discernment. Light (truth, revelation, righteousness, understanding) is exchanged for darkness (ignorance, falsehood, sin, confusion), and vice versa. It speaks of a profound spiritual blindness where clarity is replaced by obscurity, and divine guidance is rejected in favor of deception.
* **"that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!":** The final parallel applies the inversion to experiential and sensory realms, symbolizing a complete distortion of what is beneficial versus what is harmful. What should bring joy, health, and flourishing (sweet) is treated as detrimental, while what is inherently destructive, painful, or harmful (bitter) is embraced as desirable. This illustrates a perverted appetite for spiritual and moral poison.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 5:20 is rich in literary devices that amplify its powerful message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically **Antithetical Parallelism**, where contrasting ideas are presented in successive clauses to highlight their opposition. The verse employs three distinct pairs—evil/good, darkness/light, and bitter/sweet—each reinforcing the central theme of moral inversion. This repetition emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the perversion, showing that it affects every aspect of life and perception. The structure also exhibits elements of **Chiasm** within the first pair ("call evil good, and good evil"), where the order of concepts is reversed (A-B, B-A), creating a sense of deliberate and complete reversal. The use of the repeated phrase "that call" and "that put" creates a form of **Anaphora** or at least strong structural repetition, building a rhythmic indictment that underscores the active and intentional nature of the condemned behavior. The entire verse functions as a form of **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the extent of the moral corruption to emphasize its severity and the shock of such a complete reversal of divine order.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 5:20 stands as a timeless declaration of God's unchanging nature as the source of all truth and goodness, and His intolerance for moral relativism. The verse underscores the biblical principle that there are objective, divinely established standards of right and wrong, and that to deliberately invert these standards is an affront to God Himself. This perversion of truth is not merely an intellectual error but a spiritual rebellion that leads to societal decay and divine judgment. It connects deeply with the concept of God's holiness and righteousness, which demand that His people reflect His character by upholding truth and justice. The inability to distinguish between good and evil is a symptom of a hardened heart and a mind darkened by sin, leading to a state where people become enslaved to their own distorted perceptions rather than being liberated by God's truth. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, warning against the dangers of spiritual deception and the consequences of rejecting divine wisdom.

* [Psalm 119:160](/psalms/119-160 "Psalm 119:160 - God's Word is Truth")
* [Romans 1:25](/romans/1-25 "Romans 1:25 - Exchanging the Truth of God for a Lie")
* [Proverbs 17:15](/proverbs/17-15 "Proverbs 17:15 - Condemning the Righteous and Justifying the Wicked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 5:20 is remarkably relevant for contemporary society, serving as a stark prophetic warning against the pervasive tendency to redefine moral and spiritual truth according to shifting cultural norms or personal preferences. It challenges us to critically examine the narratives and ideologies prevalent today that often seek to normalize or even celebrate behaviors and beliefs that stand in direct opposition to biblical principles. This verse calls believers to cultivate profound spiritual discernment, grounding their understanding of good and evil, truth and falsehood, in the unchanging Word of God rather than in fleeting cultural trends or subjective feelings. In a world increasingly prone to moral relativism, where objective truth is often dismissed, Isaiah's pronouncement urges us to stand firm on God's revealed standards, to courageously call evil what it is, and to champion what is truly good, even when it is unpopular or goes against the prevailing tide of public opinion. It is a call to uphold biblical values and to clearly distinguish between what God calls good and what He calls evil, ensuring that our conscience remains sensitive to His Spirit and our minds are renewed by His truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or in contemporary society do I see the blurring of lines between good and evil, or light and darkness, as described in this verse?**
* **How can I cultivate greater spiritual discernment to ensure I am not unknowingly calling evil good or good evil?**
* **What are the practical implications of standing firm on God's objective truth when it conflicts with popular cultural viewpoints?**

### FAQ
**What does "woe" mean in the context of Isaiah 5:20?**

Answer: In this context, "woe" (Hebrew: *hôwy*) is far more than an expression of pity or sorrow; it is a solemn prophetic declaration of impending judgment, a divine curse, or a warning of severe calamity. It signifies that the actions described—the perversion of moral and spiritual truth—will inevitably lead to disastrous consequences, both for individuals and for the society that embraces such distortion. It serves as a stark pronouncement of God's righteous indignation against those who defy His established order and actively subvert truth.

**Is Isaiah 5:20 primarily about individual morality or societal corruption?**

Answer: While Isaiah 5:20 certainly speaks to individual moral responsibility, its primary thrust, especially within the broader context of Isaiah 5, is a condemnation of **societal corruption**. The "woes" in this chapter are directed at the collective sins of Judah—its leaders, its wealthy, and its general populace—who had collectively embraced injustice, greed, and spiritual apostasy. The perversion of truth described in Isaiah 5:20 is presented as a foundational issue that permeates and enables other societal ills, leading to a systemic breakdown of justice and righteousness within the nation. The prophet is addressing a cultural sickness where the very definitions of good and evil have been inverted by the community.

**How does this verse apply to believers today in a world with diverse moral viewpoints?**

Answer: For believers today, Isaiah 5:20 serves as a critical call to **spiritual discernment** and **moral courage**. In a world increasingly characterized by moral relativism and subjective truth claims, this verse reminds us that God's standards of good and evil are objective and unchanging. It challenges us to firmly anchor our understanding of right and wrong in God's Word, rather than allowing cultural trends or personal preferences to dictate our moral compass. It compels us to lovingly but firmly speak truth, to call evil what it is, and to champion what is truly good, even when such stances are unpopular or counter-cultural. It also warns against the subtle ways we might inadvertently adopt worldly definitions of good and evil, urging us to constantly renew our minds through Scripture as Paul exhorts in [Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Romans 12:2 - Do Not Be Conformed to This World").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 5:20, with its stark warning against calling evil good and darkness light, finds its ultimate answer and fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of truth and light, who came into a world shrouded in spiritual darkness and moral confusion. John's Gospel declares that in Him "was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" ([John 1:4-5](/john/1-4 "John 1:4-5 - Jesus, the Light of the World")). Jesus directly confronted the moral inversions of His day, exposing the hypocrisy of those who outwardly appeared righteous but inwardly were full of greed and self-indulgence ([Matthew 23:27-28](/matthew/23-27 "Matthew 23:27-28 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). He called people to repentance, to turn from their evil ways and embrace the true good found in God's kingdom. His life, death, and resurrection definitively revealed God's standard of goodness, demonstrating ultimate love and self-sacrifice, while simultaneously exposing the bitter reality of sin and its destructive power. Through His atoning work, Christ provides the means for humanity to escape the spiritual blindness and moral perversion condemned in Isaiah, offering forgiveness and the indwelling Holy Spirit to illuminate hearts and enable believers to discern and live according to God's good and perfect will ([Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Romans 12:2 - Transformed by the Renewal of Your Mind")). He is the sweet savor of God, transforming lives from bitter rebellion to sweet communion.

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

Proverbs 17:15

¶ He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD.

2 Timothy 3:1

¶ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 Timothy 3:5

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Luke 16:15

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Malachi 2:17

Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied [him]? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil [is] good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where [is] the God of judgment?

Job 17:12

They change the night into day: the light [is] short because of darkness.

Matthew 6:22

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.