King James Version

What Does Isaiah 24:5 Mean?

Isaiah 24:5 in the King James Version says “The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance,... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Isaiah 24:5 · KJV


Context

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.

7

The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merryhearted do sigh.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereofchaneph (חָנֵף, "defiled") denotes moral pollution, especially covenant violation. The preposition "under" (tachat, תַּחַת) indicates that earth suffers beneath the weight of human sin, recalling Numbers 35:33: bloodshed defiles the land. Creation groans under humanity's rebellion (Rom 8:20-22).

Three indictments follow: they have transgressed the laws (avar torot, עָבַר תּוֹרוֹת)—violated divine instruction; changed the ordinance (chalaph choq, חָלַף חֹק)—altered God's statute; broken the everlasting covenant (parar berit olam, פָּרַר בְּרִית עוֹלָם)—shattered eternal covenant. The berit olam likely references the Noahic covenant (Gen 9:16), binding all humanity—universal accountability predates Sinai. Some identify Adamic or creational covenant (Hos 6:7 margin). Regardless, humanity stands guilty of cosmic covenant-breaking.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse provides the theological foundation for verses 1-4's judgment—earth's devastation results from moral causation, not arbitrary divine wrath. The 'everlasting covenant' most likely refers to the Noahic covenant (Gen 9:1-17), which established basic moral order for all nations: prohibitions against murder, dietary laws, and accountability to God. Ancient Israel understood that even Gentile nations bore covenant obligations to the Creator (Amos 1-2 judges nations by moral law, not Mosaic Torah). Humanity's universal covenant-breaking warranted universal judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the concept of the 'everlasting covenant' (likely Noahic) establish universal human accountability to God?
  2. What modern examples can you identify of humanity 'changing the ordinance'—altering God's moral statutes?
  3. In what ways does environmental degradation reflect and reveal humanity's spiritual rebellion against the Creator?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְהָאָ֥רֶץ1 of 12

The earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

חָנְפָ֖ה2 of 12

also is defiled

H2610

to soil, especially in a moral sense

תַּ֣חַת3 of 12
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

יֹשְׁבֶ֑יהָ4 of 12

under the inhabitants

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

כִּֽי5 of 12
H3588

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

עָבְר֤וּ6 of 12

thereof because they have transgressed

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

תוֹרֹת֙7 of 12

the laws

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

חָ֣לְפוּ8 of 12

changed

H2498

properly, to slide by, i.e., (by implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change

חֹ֔ק9 of 12

the ordinance

H2706

an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)

הֵפֵ֖רוּ10 of 12

broken

H6565

to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate

בְּרִ֥ית11 of 12

covenant

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

עוֹלָֽם׃12 of 12

the everlasting

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial


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 24:5 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 24:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study