King James Version

What Does Isaiah 5:20 Mean?

Isaiah 5:20 in the King James Version says “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter f... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! call: Heb. say concerning evil, It is good, etc

Isaiah 5:20 · KJV


Context

18

Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:

19

That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!

20

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! call: Heb. say concerning evil, It is good, etc

21

Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! in their own sight: Heb. before their face

22

Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This woe condemns moral relativism—calling evil good and good evil, redefining reality to suit sinful desires. The triple contrasts (evil/good, darkness/light, bitter/sweet) emphasize comprehensive moral inversion. This represents the ultimate corruption: not merely sinning but redefining sin as virtue. Such perversion makes repentance impossible and judgment certain, as conscience itself becomes corrupted.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

False prophets in Isaiah's day declared 'peace' when judgment was coming, sweetening bitter truth. This moral confusion enabled continued sin while claiming divine approval.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what areas has contemporary culture inverted biblical categories of good and evil?
  2. How can you maintain moral clarity when surrounded by relativistic thinking?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
ה֣וֹי1 of 16

Woe

H1945

oh!

הָאֹמְרִ֥ים2 of 16

unto them that call

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

רָ֑ע3 of 16

evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וְלַטּ֣וֹב4 of 16

and good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

וְלַטּ֣וֹב5 of 16

and good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

רָ֑ע6 of 16

evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

שָׂמִ֥ים7 of 16

that put

H7760

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

לְחֹ֔שֶׁךְ8 of 16

darkness

H2822

the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness

וְא֣וֹר9 of 16

and light

H216

illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)

וְא֣וֹר10 of 16

and light

H216

illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)

לְחֹ֔שֶׁךְ11 of 16

darkness

H2822

the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness

שָׂמִ֥ים12 of 16

that put

H7760

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

לְמָֽר׃13 of 16

bitter

H4751

bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly

וּמָת֥וֹק14 of 16

and sweet

H4966

sweet

וּמָת֥וֹק15 of 16

and sweet

H4966

sweet

לְמָֽר׃16 of 16

bitter

H4751

bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly


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 5:20 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 5:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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