King James Version

What Does Isaiah 28:15 Mean?

Isaiah 28:15 in the King James Version says “Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourg...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through , it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:”

Isaiah 28:15 · KJV

Context

13

But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

14

Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.

15

Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through , it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:

16

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

17

Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

Read Isaiah 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: Isaiah exposes the scornful leaders' delusional security. We have made a covenant with death (karatnu berit et-mavet, כָּרַתְנוּ בְרִית אֶת־מָוֶת) and with hell are we at agreement (ve-et-she'ol asinu chozeh, וְאֶת־שְׁאוֹל עָשִׂינוּ חֹזֶה, with Sheol we have made a vision/pact) likely refers to treaties with Egypt and other powers, trusting political alliances rather than God. Ironically, these death-pacts can't protect from death. Mavet (מָוֶת, death) and she'ol (שְׁאוֹל, grave/underworld) represent ultimate enemies covenants cannot defeat.

When the overflowing scourge shall pass through (ki ya'avor shot shofef, כִּי יַעֲבֹר שׁוֹט שׁוֹטֵף, when the overwhelming whip passes through) depicts Assyrian/Babylonian invasion as flood of judgment. They think their political machinations exempt them: it shall not come unto us. The reason for false confidence: we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves (ki samnu kazav machsenu va-sheker nistarna, כִּי שַׂמְנוּ כָזָב מַחְסֵנוּ וּבַשֶּׁקֶר נִסְתָּרְנוּ). Their refuge is lies; their hiding place is deception. This could mean: (1) trusting false prophecies, (2) diplomatic deception, or (3) self-deception about their security. All three apply.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Judah's kings repeatedly made treaties with Egypt against Assyria/Babylon, despite prophetic warnings (Isaiah 30:1-7, 31:1, Jeremiah 37:7). These alliances failed catastrophically—Egypt couldn't save Jerusalem from Babylon. In AD 70, Jewish leaders trusted in the temple and their political strategies; Rome destroyed both. Revelation 9:21 describes those who won't repent even under judgment. Human nature persists in trusting lies rather than God. Every generation makes 'covenants with death'—false securities that cannot save.

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern 'covenants with death' (false securities, misplaced trusts) do people rely on instead of God?
  2. How do lies become a 'refuge' and falsehood a 'hiding place' for those avoiding confrontation with truth?
  3. What would it look like to break your 'covenant with death' and trust God alone for security?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
כִּ֣י1 of 22
H3588

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

אֲמַרְתֶּ֗ם2 of 22

“Because ye have said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כָּרַ֤תְנֽוּ3 of 22

“We have made”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

בְרִית֙4 of 22

“a covenant”

H1285

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

אֶת5 of 22
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

מָ֔וֶת6 of 22

“with death”

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

וְעִם7 of 22
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

שְׁא֖וֹל8 of 22

“and with hell”

H7585

hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates

עָשִׂ֣ינוּ9 of 22

“are we”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

חֹזֶ֑ה10 of 22

“at agreement”

H2374

a beholder in vision; also a compact (as looked upon with approval)

שׁ֣יֹט11 of 22

“when the overflowing”

H7857

to gush; by implication, to inundate, cleanse; by analogy, to gallop, conquer

שׁוֹטֵ֤ף12 of 22

“scourge”

H7752

a lash (literally or figuratively)

כִּֽי13 of 22
H3588

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

עֲבֹר֙14 of 22

“shall pass through”

H5674

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

לֹ֣א15 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְבוֹאֵ֔נוּ16 of 22

“it shall not come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

כִּ֣י17 of 22
H3588

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

שַׂ֧מְנוּ18 of 22

“unto us for we have made”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

כָזָ֛ב19 of 22

“lies”

H3577

falsehood; literally (untruth) or figuratively (idol)

מַחְסֵ֖נוּ20 of 22

“our refuge”

H4268

a shelter (literally or figuratively)

וּבַשֶּׁ֥קֶר21 of 22

“and under falsehood”

H8267

an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)

נִסְתָּֽרְנוּ׃22 of 22

“have we hid”

H5641

to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively

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 28:15 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 28:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 8:7-8Daniel 11:22Ezekiel 13:22Amos 2:4Ecclesiastes 8:8Hosea 2:18

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