King James Version

What Does Isaiah 24:2 Mean?

Isaiah 24:2 in the King James Version says “And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so w...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him. priest: or, prince”

Isaiah 24:2 · KJV

Context

1

Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. turneth: Heb. perverteth the face thereof

2

And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him. priest: or, prince

3

The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the LORD hath spoken this word.

4

The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. the haughty: Heb. the height of the people

Read Isaiah 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
As with the people, so with the priest—the sevenfold parallelism (people/priest, servant/master, maid/mistress, buyer/seller, lender/borrower, creditor/debtor) demolishes all social hierarchy. The Hebrew structure uses emphatic ka (כַּ, "as") seven times, signifying complete universality. No privilege exempts anyone from judgment—sacerdotal status, economic power, social rank offer no immunity.

This radical leveling reverses worldly privilege: the priest (כֹּהֵן, kohen) who mediated between God and people faces identical judgment as the laity; the master (אֲדֹנָיו, adonav) has no advantage over the servant (עֶבֶד, eved). James 2:1-9 echoes this principle—partiality has no place before God's throne. The economic pairs (buyer/seller, lender/borrower) indicate that financial transactions cannot purchase deliverance—mammon fails when God settles accounts (Luke 16:13).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern societies were rigidly hierarchical, with priests, nobility, and wealthy merchants holding privileged positions. Temple personnel especially enjoyed legal and economic advantages. Isaiah's declaration that priests face identical judgment as commoners would have been revolutionary—it asserted that covenant obligations transcend human social structures. Archaeological evidence from Lachish and other Judahite cities shows no preferential treatment in destruction layers from 701 BC—God's judgment indeed fell universally.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage challenge you to examine areas where you expect privilege or exemption from accountability before God?
  2. What does the inclusion of economic relationships (buyer/seller, lender/borrower) reveal about God's concern for justice in financial dealings?
  3. How should this universal accountability shape the church's approach to leadership and spiritual authority?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְהָיָ֤ה1 of 15
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כָעָם֙2 of 15

“And it shall be as with the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

כַּכֹּהֵ֔ן3 of 15

“so with the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

כַּעֶ֙בֶד֙4 of 15

“as with the servant”

H5650

a servant

כַּֽאדֹנָ֔יו5 of 15

“so with his master”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

כַּשִּׁפְחָ֖ה6 of 15

“as with the maid”

H8198

a female slave (as a member of the household)

כַּגְּבִרְתָּ֑הּ7 of 15

“so with her mistress”

H1404

mistress

כַּקּוֹנֶה֙8 of 15

“as with the buyer”

H7069

to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own

כַּמּוֹכֵ֔ר9 of 15

“so with the seller”

H4376

to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)

כַּלּוֶֹ֔ה10 of 15

“as with the lender”

H3867

properly, to twine; also to borrow (as a form of obligation) or (causative) to lend

כַּלּוֶֹ֔ה11 of 15

“as with the lender”

H3867

properly, to twine; also to borrow (as a form of obligation) or (causative) to lend

כַּנֹּשֶׁ֕ה12 of 15

“as with the taker of usury”

H5383

to lend or (by reciprocity) borrow on security or interest

כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר13 of 15

“so”

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נֹשֶׁ֥א14 of 15

“with the giver of usury”

H5378

to lend on interest; by implication, to dun for debt

בֽוֹ׃15 of 15
H0

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 24:2 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 24:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hosea 4:9Ezekiel 7:12-13Lamentations 5:12-142 Chronicles 36:20Isaiah 5:15Isaiah 2:9

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