King James Version

What Does Isaiah 1:7 Mean?

Isaiah 1:7 in the King James Version says “Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is d...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. overthrown: Heb. the overthrow of”

Isaiah 1:7 · KJV

Context

5

Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. revolt: Heb. increase revolt

6

From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. ointment: or, oil

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. overthrown: Heb. the overthrow of

8

And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.

9

Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

Read Isaiah 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The prophetic perfect tense describes imminent judgment as already accomplished. Three parallel descriptions of devastation (desolate country, burned cities, devoured land) emphasize comprehensive destruction. The presence of 'strangers' fulfilling covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28:33) compounds the tragedy—God's promised land plundered by pagans due to covenant unfaithfulness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah witnessed Assyrian invasions (701 BC) that devastated Judah's countryside, leaving Jerusalem barely surviving. This verse may reflect those campaigns or prophetically anticipate Babylon's later destruction.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'promised land' blessings are you risking through unfaithfulness to God?
  2. How does God use external circumstances to call you back to covenant faithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
אַרְצְכֶ֣ם1 of 13

“Your country”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וּשְׁמָמָ֖ה2 of 13

“is desolate”

H8077

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

עָרֵיכֶ֖ם3 of 13

“your cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

שְׂרֻפ֣וֹת4 of 13

“are burned”

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

אֵ֑שׁ5 of 13

“with fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

אַדְמַתְכֶ֗ם6 of 13

“your land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

לְנֶגְדְּכֶם֙7 of 13
H5048

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

זָרִֽים׃8 of 13

“by strangers”

H2114

to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery

אֹכְלִ֣ים9 of 13

“devour”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֹתָ֔הּ10 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וּשְׁמָמָ֖ה11 of 13

“is desolate”

H8077

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

כְּמַהְפֵּכַ֥ת12 of 13

“as overthrown”

H4114

a destruction

זָרִֽים׃13 of 13

“by strangers”

H2114

to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 1:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 1:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Lamentations 5:2Deuteronomy 28:43Deuteronomy 28:33Hosea 7:9Ezekiel 30:122 Chronicles 28:16-21

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