King James Version

What Does Isaiah 24:4 Mean?

Isaiah 24:4 in the King James Version says “The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. ...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Isaiah 24:4 · KJV

Context

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

5

The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.

6

Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.

Read Isaiah 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The earth mourneth and fadeth away—abal (אָבַל, "mourn") typically describes human grief but here personifies creation itself lamenting. The verb nabel (נָבֵל, "fade/wither") depicts vegetation dying, echoing the curse after Eden (Gen 3:17-18). Paul develops this in Romans 8:19-22: creation groans under sin's bondage, awaiting redemption. Isaiah envisions cosmic sympathy with humanity's rebellion—sin's consequences transcend human society to afflict the natural order.

The world languisheth uses tebel (תֵּבֵל), meaning the inhabited world, paired with amal (אָמַל, "languish/waste away"). The doubling—ha'aretz (earth/land) and tebel (world)—reinforces universal scope. The haughty people of the earth do languish targets merom am-ha'aretz (מְרוֹם עַם־הָאָרֶץ, "exalted people"), those who elevated themselves through pride. Pride provokes God's judgment (Prov 16:18; Isa 2:11-17); the high are brought low.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern cosmology viewed heaven, earth, and underworld as interconnected realms where divine and human actions had cosmic repercussions. Isaiah's depiction of earth 'mourning' would have resonated with his audience's worldview while elevating it—creation doesn't respond to capricious deities but to humanity's covenant fidelity. The 'haughty people' likely refers to imperial powers (Assyria, later Babylon) whose arrogance brought divine resistance (Isa 10:12-19, 14:12-15, 47:7-11).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the personification of creation 'mourning' deepen your understanding of sin's comprehensive devastation?
  2. What does Romans 8:19-22 add to your reading of this passage about creation's bondage to decay?
  3. In what ways does pride ('haughtiness') contribute to both personal and societal judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
אָבְלָ֤ה1 of 10

“mourneth”

H56

to bewail

נָבְלָ֖ה2 of 10

“and fadeth away”

H5034

to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint

הָאָֽרֶץ׃3 of 10

“The earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֻמְלָ֖לוּ4 of 10

“do languish”

H535

to droop; by implication to be sick, to mourn

נָבְלָ֖ה5 of 10

“and fadeth away”

H5034

to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint

תֵּבֵ֑ל6 of 10

“the world”

H8398

the earth (as moist and therefore inhabited); by extension, the globe; by implication, its inhabitants; specifically, a particular land, as babylonia,

אֻמְלָ֖לוּ7 of 10

“do languish”

H535

to droop; by implication to be sick, to mourn

מְר֥וֹם8 of 10

“the haughty”

H4791

altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)

עַם9 of 10

“people”

H5971

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

הָאָֽרֶץ׃10 of 10

“The earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 24:4 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 24:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hosea 4:3Isaiah 33:9Isaiah 2:11-12Isaiah 3:26Isaiah 28:1Jeremiah 12:4

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