Isaiah 6:11

KJV

Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} I, Lord {H136}, how long? And he answered {H559}, Until the cities {H5892} be wasted {H7582} without inhabitant {H3427}, and the houses {H1004} without man {H120}, and the land {H127} be utterly {H8077} desolate {H7582},

Complete Jewish Bible

I asked, "Adonai, how long?" and he answered, "Until cities become uninhabited ruins, houses without human presence, the land utterly wasted;

Berean Standard Bible

Then I asked: “How long, O Lord?” And He replied: “Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left unoccupied and the land is desolate and ravaged,

American Standard Version

Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until cities be waste without inhabitant, and houses without man, and the land become utterly waste,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 6:11 records a poignant dialogue between the prophet Isaiah and the Lord, immediately following Isaiah's divine commission. Burdened by the grim nature of his prophetic task—to preach to a people whose hearts God would allow to be hardened—Isaiah cries out, "Lord, how long?" The divine response is a stark declaration of comprehensive judgment: the desolation will persist until the cities are depopulated, houses are empty, and the land itself is utterly laid waste. This exchange powerfully underscores the severe and far-reaching consequences of persistent national rebellion and spiritual insensitivity against a holy God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 6:11 is situated within the pivotal narrative of Isaiah's call and commission, a foundational chapter for understanding the prophet's ministry and the overarching themes of the book. Having experienced a breathtaking vision of God's holiness and glory in the temple, and subsequently being purified and accepting his prophetic calling (as detailed in [Isaiah 6:1-8](/isaiah/6-1-8 "Isaiah's Vision and Commission")), Isaiah is then given the specific, and profoundly challenging, nature of his mission. The Lord instructs him to speak to a people whose hearts, ears, and eyes will be divinely hardened, preventing them from understanding, seeing, or repenting (as described in [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "The Hardening of Hearts")). It is in response to this seemingly paradoxical and heartbreaking mandate—that his ministry will lead to greater spiritual dullness rather than revival—that Isaiah utters his anguished query, "Lord, how long?" The answer in verse 11 sets the stage for the severe prophecies of judgment and desolation that dominate the initial sections of Isaiah's book, even while hinting at the ultimate hope of a remnant in [Isaiah 6:13](/isaiah/6-13 "The Holy Seed and Remnant").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah's prophetic ministry spanned a turbulent period in Judah's history, from approximately 740 to 687 BC, under the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. This era was characterized by the escalating threat of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, which had already conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel and was encroaching upon Judah. Culturally and religiously, Judah frequently wavered between periods of spiritual revival and widespread apostasy, adopting the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations, engaging in syncretism, and neglecting the social justice commands of the Mosaic Law. The people, despite their covenant relationship with Yahweh, had become spiritually complacent and morally corrupt. The judgment described in [Isaiah 6:11](/isaiah/6-11 "The Duration of Desolation") reflects the cumulative effect of generations of unfaithfulness and rebellion, which would ultimately culminate in the Assyrian invasion of Judah and, later, the Babylonian exile, events that brought about the very desolation of cities and land prophesied here.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several major theological and narrative themes found within Isaiah and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Justice**. God's absolute holiness, so vividly portrayed in [Isaiah 6:1-3](/isaiah/6-1-3 "God's Holiness and Majesty"), necessitates a righteous response to sin, and persistent, unrepentant rebellion inevitably incurs severe divine consequences. Secondly, it highlights the devastating **Consequences of Spiritual Hardening**. The people's willful refusal to hear and obey God's word leads directly to national desolation, emphasizing that spiritual apathy has tangible, devastating outcomes in the physical realm. Thirdly, the verse speaks to **God's Sovereignty over History**. Even the desolation and depopulation are not random occurrences but are under God's sovereign control, serving His purposes of judgment and, ultimately, purification. Finally, while the immediate pronouncement is grim, Isaiah's question "how long?" implicitly carries a longing for an end to the judgment, subtly introducing the broader prophetic theme of **Future Restoration and Hope for a Remnant**, which becomes more explicit and glorious in later sections of Isaiah's prophecy (e.g., [Isaiah 40:1-5](/isaiah/40-1-5 "Comfort for God's People")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lord (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônây'_):** This is an emphatic form of `אָדוֹן` (ʼâdôn), meaning "master" or "lord," but used here as a proper name for God, signifying His absolute sovereignty and supreme authority. Isaiah's direct address using `ʼĂdônây` demonstrates his deep reverence and recognition of God's ultimate power, even as he struggles with the severity of the divine decree. It underscores the profound and personal nature of his desperate inquiry to the one who holds all power.
* **wasted (Hebrew, _shâʼâh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to rush; by implication, to desolate." This word conveys a sense of active, forceful destruction rather than passive decay. The cities will be "rushed upon" or "made desolate" through a violent and comprehensive process, implying a ruin brought about by divine judgment, most likely through invading armies. It suggests a swift and complete obliteration of what once stood.
* **land (Hebrew, _ʼădâmâh'_):** Derived from `אָדָם` (ʼâdâm), meaning "soil (from its general redness)," this term refers to the physical ground, earth, or country. Its specific use here emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the desolation: not just the urban centers (`cities`, `houses`), but the very agricultural and geographical foundation of the nation will be rendered barren, uninhabitable, and unproductive, affecting every aspect of life and sustenance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said I, Lord, how long?"**: Following the Lord's somber prophecy of a ministry that would lead to the hardening of hearts, Isaiah, burdened by the weight of this message for his people, cries out in anguish. His question "how long?" is a lament born of a prophet's deep concern for his nation and a desperate desire to understand the duration of the impending spiritual blindness and subsequent judgment. It is a plea for clarity regarding the extent and endurance of God's wrath.
* **"And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant,"**: God's response is direct, stark, and uncompromising. The judgment will continue until the urban centers, which are the heart of national life, commerce, and population, are utterly destroyed and emptied of their residents. This points to a complete societal collapse and depopulation, signifying the severity and comprehensiveness of the divine discipline.
* **"and the houses without man,"**: This clause reinforces the previous one, narrowing the focus from the collective urban infrastructure to individual dwellings. Not only will the cities as a whole be uninhabited, but individual homes, once vibrant with family life, will stand empty. The phrase "without man" emphasizes the complete absence of human life, highlighting the extent of the demographic devastation and the loss of domesticity.
* **"and the land be utterly desolate,"**: This final phrase broadens the scope to encompass the entire national territory. The use of "utterly desolate" (Hebrew: `sh'mamah sh'mamah`, a repetition of the root for desolation) signifies an absolute and extreme state of ruin. It means the land itself, the very ground that sustains life, will be laid waste, barren, and uninhabitable, serving as a stark and enduring testament to the consequences of chronic unfaithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 6:11 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its grim and impactful message. The most prominent is **Parallelism** and **Escalation** in God's answer. The phrases "cities be wasted without inhabitant," "houses without man," and "land be utterly desolate" form a clear, escalating structure. This progression not only emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the judgment—moving from urban centers to individual homes, and then to the entire national territory—but also intensifies the sense of utter ruin and depopulation. The Hebrew phrase for "utterly desolate" (`sh'mamah sh'mamah`) is a powerful example of **Intensification** through word doubling, effectively conveying the absolute and complete nature of the destruction. The verse also functions as a **Rhetorical Question** ("how long?"), which serves to highlight the prophet's profound distress and the unyielding nature of God's decree, followed by a definitive, albeit grim, answer. The imagery used is highly **Evocative**, painting a vivid and chilling picture of a land stripped bare of life and vitality, thus impressing the gravity of the divine judgment upon the reader.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 6:11 stands as a profound theological statement on the inexorable consequences of persistent sin and God's unwavering justice. It reveals that divine patience, while vast, is not infinite, and unrepentant rebellion will inevitably lead to severe judgment. This judgment is not arbitrary but is a direct and necessary consequence of the people's spiritual insensitivity, their hardened hearts, and their rejection of God's word. The desolation described is a physical manifestation of a spiritual reality—a land emptied because its inhabitants have emptied themselves of God's presence and commands. Yet, even in this dire pronouncement, the prophet's question "how long?" subtly hints at a future beyond the judgment, a time when the desolation will end, aligning with the broader prophetic theme of a remnant and eventual restoration, which is a hallmark of Isaiah's message of ultimate hope.

* [Leviticus 26:33](/leviticus/26-33 "Leviticus 26:33 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 25:9-11](/jeremiah/25-9-11 "Jeremiah 25:9-11 - Seventy Years of Desolation")
* [Luke 19:43-44](/luke/19-43-44 "Luke 19:43-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem's Desolation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 6:11 serves as a sobering reminder that spiritual apathy and persistent disobedience carry profound consequences, not only for individuals but for entire communities and nations. It challenges us to examine our own hearts and the spiritual health of our societies. Are we truly listening to God's word, or are our hearts becoming hardened to His truth and call? The "how long?" question resonates with our own longing for an end to suffering, injustice, and spiritual decline, but God's answer here is a stark warning: judgment will run its course until the full measure of unfaithfulness is met. This compels us to cultivate deep spiritual sensitivity, to heed divine warnings with humility, and to actively pursue repentance and obedience in every sphere of life. While God's ultimate desire is always for reconciliation and restoration, this verse underscores that His justice is real and His warnings are to be taken with utmost seriousness. It calls us to pray earnestly for revival, to be agents of spiritual awakening in our spheres of influence, and to live in a manner that reflects genuine reverence for God's holiness, lest we face similar desolation in spiritual, relational, or societal terms.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my personal life, or within my community, might there be a subtle or overt hardening of hearts towards God's truth and commands?**
* **What are the potential "desolations" (spiritual emptiness, relational breakdown, societal decay) that might arise from persistent disobedience or spiritual apathy in our contemporary context?**
* **How does understanding the severity and comprehensive nature of God's judgment, as described in this verse, motivate me to live a life of greater obedience, spiritual sensitivity, and active faith?**
* **How can I, like Isaiah, bear the burden of a difficult truth and still faithfully deliver God's message, even when it is unwelcome or unpopular, trusting in His ultimate purpose?**

### FAQ
**What does "Lord, how long?" signify in this context?**

Answer: Isaiah's question, "Lord, how long?", is a poignant cry of anguish and a plea for understanding regarding the duration of the spiritual blindness and subsequent judgment God has just described. It is not a question about his personal endurance as a prophet, but rather a deeply pastoral lament concerning the fate of his people. He is asking how long they will remain spiritually unresponsive and how long the devastating consequences of their rebellion will last, reflecting a prophet's profound burden for his nation's spiritual and physical well-being in the face of divine wrath.

**Does Isaiah 6:11 mean God desires to punish His people indefinitely?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply that God desires indefinite or unending punishment. Instead, it declares that the judgment will continue until its necessary purpose is fulfilled—namely, the complete desolation of the land due to the people's persistent and unrepentant unfaithfulness. This is a statement of the *extent* and *severity* of the judgment required to address deep-seated national sin, not an expression of God's desire for perpetual suffering. The broader context of Isaiah's prophecy, particularly later chapters, reveals God's ultimate plan for restoration and a remnant, demonstrating His redemptive heart even amidst severe discipline (e.g., [Isaiah 49:13](/isaiah/49-13 "Isaiah 49:13 - God's Compassion and Comfort")).

**How does this prophecy relate to historical events?**

Answer: Isaiah's prophecy in [Isaiah 6:11](/isaiah/6-11 "Isaiah 6:11 - The Duration of Desolation") found its most significant historical fulfillment in the Babylonian exile in the 6th century BC. Following decades of unheeded prophetic warnings and continued idolatry and injustice, the Southern Kingdom of Judah was conquered by the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Jerusalem was besieged, its temple destroyed, its cities "wasted without inhabitant," and its people deported to Babylon, leaving the "land utterly desolate" for a period, as vividly described in historical accounts like [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Exile") and [Jeremiah 52](/jeremiah/52 "Jeremiah 52 - The Fall of Jerusalem"). This historical event serves as a powerful testament to the accuracy of Isaiah's prophecy and the reality of God's justice in the face of sustained rebellion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 6:11 speaks directly to the judgment upon ancient Israel, its profound themes find their ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment and resonance in the New Testament. The spiritual blindness and hardening of hearts described here tragically foreshadow the rejection of the Messiah by many in His own generation. Just as Isaiah's ministry, by divine design, led to further hardening for some, Jesus's ministry, though bringing light and truth, also resulted in many turning away, thus fulfilling prophecies of spiritual dullness (as seen in [Matthew 13:14-15](/matthew/13-14-15 "Matthew 13:14-15 - Fulfillment of Isaiah's Prophecy")). The prophet's anguished "how long?" question, reflecting a longing for an end to judgment, is ultimately answered in Christ. He is the one who bears the full weight of the desolation of sin, becoming "wasted" and "desolate" on the cross, experiencing separation from God so that those who believe might find life and inhabit the land of promise, not through their own merit but through His substitutionary sacrifice (as articulated in [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). The ultimate "desolation" of the land and people finds its redemptive reversal in the new creation inaugurated by Christ, where the Holy Spirit brings spiritual life to what was spiritually dead, and a new Jerusalem, a city with inhabitants, is established not by human effort but by divine grace and the Lamb's presence (as depicted in [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven and New Earth")). Thus, the grim prophecy of Isaiah 6:11, viewed through the lens of Christ, points to the depth of sin's consequence and the even greater depth of God's redemptive love and power to restore.

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 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.

Psalms 94:3

LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?

Leviticus 26:31

And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours.

Isaiah 3:26

And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she [being] desolate shall sit upon the ground.

Psalms 90:13

Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.

Isaiah 24:1

¶ Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.

Isaiah 24:12

In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction.