King James Version

What Does Isaiah 24:23 Mean?

Isaiah 24:23 in the King James Version says “Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusal...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously. before: or, there shall be glory before his ancients”

Isaiah 24:23 · KJV

Context

21

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. punish: Heb. visit upon

22

And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. as prisoners: Heb. with the gathering of prisoners pit: or, dungeon visited: or, found wanting

23

Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously. before: or, there shall be glory before his ancients

Read Isaiah 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed (וְחָפְרָה הַלְּבָנָה וּבוֹשָׁה הַחַמָּה)—The verbs chaphar (be ashamed, abashed) and bush (be ashamed, embarrassed) personify celestial bodies experiencing humiliation. When God's glory appears, even sun and moon—sources of light—are 'ashamed' because their light pales into insignificance. Jesus described this: 'the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light' (Matthew 24:29). When the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem—The verb malak (reign, be king) indicates Yahweh's direct royal rule from Zion, not through intermediaries.

And before his ancients gloriously (וְנֶגֶד זְקֵנָיו כָּבוֹד)—The zeqenim (elders/ancients) are the redeemed assembly witnessing God's kavod (glory). Revelation 4:10-11 depicts twenty-four elders before God's throne casting crowns, worshiping in glory's presence. The sun and moon's 'shame' isn't moral guilt but the inevitable dimming of derivative light before uncreated Light. As Paul writes: 'There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon... but they differ in glory' (1 Corinthians 15:41). When the Glory appears, all created glories fade. This is the Beatific Vision—seeing God face-to-face, the ultimate human fulfillment where no created thing competes for attention.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Zion/Jerusalem represents God's dwelling place, the temple as microcosm of heaven. Post-exilic Jews expected Messiah to reign from Jerusalem; Christians spiritualized this to the New Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22) descending from heaven (Revelation 21:2). The 'elders' connect to Israel's seventy elders (Exodus 24:9-11) who saw God's glory on Sinai, now expanded to include all redeemed people (Revelation 5:9-10).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's glory outshining sun and moon illustrate that all created beauty and light derive from Him?
  2. What does it mean to see God 'gloriously' in the presence of the elders—how does corporate worship anticipate this?
  3. How should the hope of beholding God's glory directly shape our current priorities and what we seek glory in?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְחָֽפְרָה֙1 of 14

“shall be confounded”

H2659

to blush; figuratively, to be ashamed, disappointed; causatively, to shame, reproach

הַלְּבָנָ֔ה2 of 14

“Then the moon”

H3842

properly, (the) white, i.e., the moon

וּבוֹשָׁ֖ה3 of 14

“ashamed”

H954

properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed

הַֽחַמָּ֑ה4 of 14

“and the sun”

H2535

heat; by implication, the sun

כִּֽי5 of 14
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מָלַ֞ךְ6 of 14

“shall reign”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

יְהוָ֣ה7 of 14

“when the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֗וֹת8 of 14

“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

בְּהַ֤ר9 of 14

“in mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

צִיּוֹן֙10 of 14

“Zion”

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

וּבִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם11 of 14

“and in Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְנֶ֥גֶד12 of 14
H5048

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

זְקֵנָ֖יו13 of 14

“and before his ancients”

H2205

old

כָּבֽוֹד׃14 of 14

“gloriously”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

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 24:23 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 24:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 60:19Revelation 21:23Isaiah 13:10Revelation 22:5Hebrews 12:22Revelation 6:12-14

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
Mount ZionHill · Modern: Mount Zion · 31.77°N, 35.23°E25 verses across 10 books
View all places in Isaiah 24 →

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