Isaiah 6:12

And the LORD have removed men far away, and [there be] a great forsaking in the midst of the land.

And the LORD {H3068} have removed {H7368} men {H120} far away {H7368}, and there be a great {H7227} forsaking {H5805} in the midst {H7130} of the land {H776}.

until ADONAI drives the people far away, and the land is one vast desolation.

until the LORD has driven men far away and the land is utterly forsaken.

and Jehovah have removed men far away, and the forsaken places be many in the midst of the land.

Commentary

Isaiah 6:12 (KJV) delivers a sobering prophetic declaration from the Lord concerning the consequences of Judah's spiritual deafness and disobedience. Following Isaiahโ€™s vision and commission, this verse answers his poignant question, "How long?" (see Isaiah 6:11), revealing the extent of the impending judgment upon the land.

Context

This verse is deeply embedded within the monumental sixth chapter of Isaiah, which recounts the prophet's awe-inspiring vision of God's holiness and glory in the temple (Isaiah 6:1-8). After being cleansed and accepting his prophetic call, Isaiah is given a challenging commission: to preach to a people whose hearts God would allow to become hardened, ears dull, and eyes blind (Isaiah 6:9-10). This spiritual insensitivity would prevent them from truly understanding God's message and turning back to Him. Verse 12 then describes the direct outcome of this hardening โ€“ a widespread desolation and removal of the population, a severe divine judgment for their persistent sin and unresponsiveness to God's warnings.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The verse starkly illustrates God's righteous judgment against a rebellious people. It underscores that prolonged disobedience, despite repeated warnings, inevitably leads to severe consequences. The "removal of men far away" signifies exile, a common form of divine discipline in the Old Testament.
  • Desolation of the Land: The phrase "a great forsaking in the midst of the land" paints a picture of profound emptiness and ruin. It speaks to the land being left desolate, without its inhabitants, a direct result of God's hand of judgment. This foreshadows the devastating impact of the Babylonian captivity on Judah.
  • God's Sovereignty: Even in judgment, God's ultimate control is evident. It is "the LORD" who brings about this removal and forsaking, demonstrating His absolute authority over nations and their destinies.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "removed men far away" translates the Hebrew root `ืจื—ืง` (rachaq), meaning "to be far, distant." This powerfully conveys the idea of banishment or scattering, indicating a forced separation of the people from their homeland. The term "forsaking" comes from the Hebrew `ืขึฒื–ึดื™ื‘ึธื”` ('azivah), which implies abandonment or desolation, emphasizing the emptiness and neglect that would befall the land after its inhabitants were taken away.

Related Scriptures

  • The judgment described here finds its historical fulfillment in the Babylonian exile, where the people of Judah were indeed removed from their land for seventy years due to their idolatry and disobedience.
  • The concept of scattering and removal as a consequence of covenant disobedience is also prophesied in the Mosaic Law, such as in Deuteronomy 28:64.
  • Despite this severe judgment, the very next verse, Isaiah 6:13, introduces the concept of a "holy seed" or remnant, highlighting God's ultimate plan for restoration and preservation amidst destruction.

Practical Application

Isaiah 6:12 serves as a timeless reminder of the seriousness of spiritual apathy and rebellion against God. It teaches us that God's patience, while vast, is not infinite, and He will act in justice when His people persistently refuse to heed His warnings and turn from sin. For believers today, this verse underscores the importance of:

  • Spiritual Receptivity: Cultivating a heart that is open and responsive to God's Word and His Spirit, rather than allowing it to become hardened.
  • Understanding Consequences: Recognizing that choices have consequences, and disobedience to God's commands can lead to spiritual and even tangible desolation.
  • God's Holiness and Justice: Appreciating God's impeccable holiness, which necessitates judgment against sin, even as we marvel at His mercy.

Even in prophecies of judgment, we are reminded of God's overarching plan and His ultimate faithfulness, which often includes a path to repentance and restoration for those who seek Him.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 4:29 (4 votes)

    The whole city shall flee for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; they shall go into thickets, and climb up upon the rocks: every city [shall be] forsaken, and not a man dwell therein.

  • Deuteronomy 28:64 (3 votes)

    And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, [even] wood and stone.

  • 2 Kings 25:21 (2 votes)

    And the king of Babylon smote them, and slew them at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away out of their land.

  • Lamentations 5:20 (2 votes)

    Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, [and] forsake us so long time?

  • Romans 11:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, [of] the tribe of Benjamin.

  • Romans 11:2 (2 votes)

    God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,

  • Isaiah 26:15 (2 votes)

    Thou hast increased the nation, O LORD, thou hast increased the nation: thou art glorified: thou hadst removed [it] far [unto] all the ends of the earth.