King James Version

What Does Isaiah 22:12 Mean?

Isaiah 22:12 in the King James Version says “And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackclo...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:”

Isaiah 22:12 · KJV

Context

10

And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall.

11

Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.

12

And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:

13

And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.

14

And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

Read Isaiah 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth.' God's appropriate response to crisis: weeping, mourning, baldness (shaving head in grief), sackcloth (mourning garment). These actions represent genuine repentance and grief over sin. God calls for this response—it's the appropriate, expected reaction to coming judgment. The verse establishes divine expectation: when facing judgment, repent genuinely. The physical expressions (baldness, sackcloth) represent internal spiritual realities—heartfelt sorrow over sin and its consequences. This demonstrates that ritual alone isn't enough (Joel 2:13—'rend your heart, not your garments'), yet appropriate external expressions of internal sorrow have legitimacy. God desires both inner repentance and its outward manifestation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

These mourning practices were standard Ancient Near Eastern grief expressions—shaving heads, wearing sackcloth, weeping, fasting. When practiced sincerely, they represented genuine repentance. Prophets called for such responses when announcing judgment: Joel 1:13-14, Jonah 3:5-8. Jonah's Nineveh provides positive example—city-wide repentance including these practices resulted in judgment averted. Jerusalem provides negative example—refusing genuine repentance despite prophetic calls, resulting in judgment executed. Church history shows similar patterns: genuine repentance movements (First Great Awakening, Welsh Revival) characterized by tears, grief over sin, behavioral changes. Conversely, superficial religion lacking genuine repentance produces no lasting change. The call to mourning distinguishes authentic from performative religion.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God calling for specific mourning practices teach about appropriate responses to sin?
  2. How do external expressions of grief relate to internal spiritual realities?
  3. Why did Nineveh's repentance avert judgment while Jerusalem's refusal led to destruction?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וַיִּקְרָ֗א1 of 11

“call”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אֲדֹנָ֧י2 of 11

“did the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֛ה3 of 11

“GOD”

H3069

god

צְבָא֖וֹת4 of 11

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

בַּיּ֣וֹם5 of 11

“And in that day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֑וּא6 of 11
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לִבְכִי֙7 of 11

“to weeping”

H1065

a weeping; by analogy, a dripping

וּלְמִסְפֵּ֔ד8 of 11

“and to mourning”

H4553

a lamentation

וּלְקָרְחָ֖ה9 of 11

“and to baldness”

H7144

baldness

וְלַחֲגֹ֥ר10 of 11

“and to girding”

H2296

to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.)

שָֽׂק׃11 of 11

“with sackcloth”

H8242

properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e., coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grai

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 22:12 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 22:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joel 2:17Micah 1:16Joel 1:13Amos 8:10Ecclesiastes 3:4James 5:1

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