King James Version

What Does Isaiah 28:18 Mean?

Isaiah 28:18 in the King James Version says “And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing sc... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. trodden: Heb. a treading down to it

Isaiah 28:18 · KJV


Context

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.

18

And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. trodden: Heb. a treading down to it

19

From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report. to: or, when he shall make you to understand doctrine

20

For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. God explicitly cancels the false covenant of verse 15. Your covenant with death shall be disannulled (ve-kupar beritkem et-mavet, וְכֻפַּר בְּרִיתְכֶם אֶת־מָוֶת, and your covenant with death shall be annulled/atoned) uses kapar (כָּפַר), often translated "atone" but here meaning "annulled, disannulled, made void." Their death-pact is canceled. And your agreement with hell shall not stand (ve-chozechem et-she'ol lo yaqum, וְחָזוּתְכֶם אֶת־שְׁאוֹל לֹא תָקוּם, and your vision/pact with Sheol shall not rise/stand) emphasizes total failure of their false security.

When the overflowing scourge shall pass through (repeating v.15's phrase) shows the judgment they thought exempt from will indeed come. Then ye shall be trodden down by it (vihyitem lo le-mirmas, וִהְיִיתֶם לוֹ לְמִרְמָס, you shall become to it a trampling)—not protected but crushed underfoot. Political alliances cannot save from divine judgment. Egypt, their supposed ally, fled before Babylon. Only covenant with God through Christ saves from death and hell. Jesus defeated death (1 Corinthians 15:54-57) and has keys of hell (Revelation 1:18). All other covenants are worthless parchment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

History vindicated Isaiah. Judah's alliance with Egypt failed; Jerusalem fell to Babylon (586 BC). Leaders who trusted political savvy were trampled by invaders. In AD 70, Jewish leaders' strategies failed before Rome. Every generation learns: covenants with death don't protect from death. Only Christ's New Covenant, sealed in His blood, conquers death and hell. Those outside Christ remain under death's power (Hebrews 2:14-15). No political, economic, or religious system except Christ defeats these ultimate enemies.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the certainty of false covenants being 'disannulled' teach about trusting anything other than God?
  2. How has Christ made a true covenant defeating death and hell, unlike the false agreements Isaiah condemns?
  3. What false securities are you tempted to trust that will not stand when life's 'overflowing scourge' comes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְכֻפַּ֤ר1 of 16

shall be disannulled

H3722

to cover (specifically with bitumen)

בְּרִֽיתְכֶם֙2 of 16

And your covenant

H1285

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

אֶת3 of 16
H854

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

מָ֔וֶת4 of 16

with death

H4194

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

וְחָזוּתְכֶ֥ם5 of 16

and your agreement

H2380

a look; hence (figuratively) striking appearance, revelation, or (by implication) compact

אֶת6 of 16
H854

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

שְׁא֖וֹל7 of 16

with hell

H7585

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

לֹ֣א8 of 16
H3808

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

תָק֑וּם9 of 16

shall not stand

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

שׁ֤וֹט10 of 16

scourge

H7752

a lash (literally or figuratively)

שׁוֹטֵף֙11 of 16

when the overflowing

H7857

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

כִּ֣י12 of 16
H3588

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

יַֽעֲבֹ֔ר13 of 16

shall pass through

H5674

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

וִהְיִ֥יתֶם14 of 16
H1961

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

ל֖וֹ15 of 16
H0
לְמִרְמָֽס׃16 of 16

then ye shall be trodden down

H4823

abasement (the act or the thing)


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 28:18 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 28:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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