King James Version

What Does Isaiah 24:16 Mean?

Isaiah 24:16 in the King James Version says “From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leann...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously. uttermost: Heb. wing My leanness: Heb. Leanness to me, or, My secret to me”

Isaiah 24:16 · KJV

Context

14

They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea.

15

Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea. fires: or, valleys

16

From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously. uttermost: Heb. wing My leanness: Heb. Leanness to me, or, My secret to me

17

Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.

18

And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.

Read Isaiah 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs (מִכְּנַף הָאָרֶץ, mik'naf ha'aretz, literally 'from the wing/edge of the earth')—The prophet hears praise echoing from earth's extremities. Even glory to the righteous (צְבִי לַצַּדִּיק, tsebi latsadiq) can mean 'glory to the Righteous One' (God) or 'glory belongs to the righteous.' Either way, it celebrates divine vindication.

Then comes jarring reversal: But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! (רָזִי־לִי רָזִי־לִי, razi-li razi-li)—The repetition intensifies anguish. רָזִי (razi) means 'my leanness,' 'my wasting away,' suggesting physical/spiritual emaciation from witnessing continued treachery. The treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously—The Hebrew repeats בָּגַד (bagad, to act treacherously) four times in escalating forms, creating a drumbeat of betrayal. This isn't occasional faithlessness but pervasive, deepening treachery that devastates the prophet.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse captures prophetic tension: glimpsing future salvation yet remaining immersed in present sin. Isaiah hears distant songs of the redeemed but confronts immediate reality—persistent human treachery. 'Treacherous dealers' (בֹּגְדִים, bogdim) refers to covenant-breakers, those who betray trust, particularly Israel's unfaithfulness to God. The prophet's anguish reflects spiritual burden—seeing both God's promised glory and humanity's continued rebellion. Jeremiah experienced similar agony (Jeremiah 9:2). This prophetic grief foreshadows Jesus weeping over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44), seeing both coming judgment and offered salvation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should believers balance celebrating God's ultimate victory with grieving over present evil and suffering?
  2. What does Isaiah's visceral reaction ('my leanness, my leanness, woe unto me!') teach about appropriate spiritual responses to persistent sin?
  3. In what ways does the repeated emphasis on treachery reveal the seriousness of covenant-breaking and unfaithfulness to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
מִכְּנַ֨ף1 of 18

“From the uttermost part”

H3671

an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna

הָאָ֜רֶץ2 of 18

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

זְמִרֹ֤ת3 of 18

“songs”

H2158

a song to be accompanied with instrumental music

שָׁמַ֙עְנוּ֙4 of 18

“have we heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

צְבִ֣י5 of 18

“even glory”

H6643

a gazelle (as beautiful)

לַצַּדִּ֔יק6 of 18

“to the righteous”

H6662

just

וָאֹמַ֛ר7 of 18

“But I said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

רָֽזִי8 of 18

“My leanness”

H7334

thinness

לִ֥י9 of 18
H0
רָֽזִי10 of 18

“My leanness”

H7334

thinness

לִ֖י11 of 18
H0
א֣וֹי12 of 18

“woe”

H188

lamentation; also interjectionally oh!

לִ֑י13 of 18
H0
בָּגָֽדוּ׃14 of 18

“have dealt treacherously”

H898

to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage

בָּגָֽדוּ׃15 of 18

“have dealt treacherously”

H898

to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage

וּבֶ֥גֶד16 of 18

“have dealt very”

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

בָּגָֽדוּ׃17 of 18

“have dealt treacherously”

H898

to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage

בָּגָֽדוּ׃18 of 18

“have dealt treacherously”

H898

to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage

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 24:16 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 24:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 21:2Isaiah 33:1Jeremiah 3:20Jeremiah 5:11Isaiah 45:22-25Isaiah 60:21

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