King James Version

What Does Isaiah 5:14 Mean?

Isaiah 5:14 in the King James Version says “Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and th...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.”

Isaiah 5:14 · KJV

Context

12

And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.

13

Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. honourable: Heb. glory are men of famine

14

Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

15

And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled:

16

But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness. God: or, the holy God: Heb. the God the holy

Read Isaiah 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Sheol (the grave/realm of death) personified as having insatiable appetite—opening 'her mouth without measure'—depicts death's voracious consumption of Jerusalem's glory, pomp, and multitude. The imagery anticipates Proverbs 27:20 ('hell and destruction are never full') and Jesus' depiction of hell's finality (Matthew 25:46). Death's indiscriminate consumption of nobles and commoners alike demonstrates that apart from God, earthly distinction offers no protection from mortality.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Warfare, siege, and exile filled Sheol with Judean dead. The personification emphasizes death's terrifying power when divine protection is removed.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does death's 'measureless' appetite underscore the urgency of the gospel?
  2. What 'pomp' and 'multitude' do we trust in that will ultimately descend to the grave?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
לָכֵ֗ן1 of 14
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

הִרְחִ֤יבָה2 of 14

“hath enlarged”

H7337

to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative)

שְּׁאוֹל֙3 of 14

“Therefore hell”

H7585

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

נַפְשָׁ֔הּ4 of 14

“herself”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

וּפָעֲרָ֥ה5 of 14

“and opened”

H6473

to yawn, i.e., open wide (literally or figuratively)

פִ֖יהָ6 of 14

“her mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

לִבְלִי7 of 14
H1097

properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc

חֹ֑ק8 of 14

“without measure”

H2706

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

וְיָרַ֨ד9 of 14

“shall descend”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

הֲדָרָ֧הּ10 of 14

“and their glory”

H1926

magnificence, i.e., ornament or splendor

וַהֲמוֹנָ֛הּ11 of 14

“and their multitude”

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

וּשְׁאוֹנָ֖הּ12 of 14

“and their pomp”

H7588

uproar (as of rushing); by implication, destruction

וְעָלֵ֥ז13 of 14

“and he that rejoiceth”

H5938

exultant

בָּֽהּ׃14 of 14
H0

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 5:14 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 5:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 30:16Habakkuk 2:5Luke 21:34Psalms 55:15Matthew 7:13Isaiah 30:33

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Isaiah 5 →

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