Isaiah 5:14
Therefore Sheol has enlarged its appetite and opened its mouth beyond measure, and the nobility of Jerusalem and her multitude will go down, her revelers and he who exults in her.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Isaiah's imagery here isn't just about death, but about a vast, consuming emptiness that even devours the seemingly secure and joyful aspects of Jerusalem. Notice how "their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth" are all described as descending together, highlighting that even the things they celebrated as life itself become fuel for this ultimate destruction. It's a chilling reminder that true security isn't found in earthly status or revelry, but in faithfulness.
The prophet Isaiah has just delivered a scathing indictment against Israel through a parable about a vineyard that produced only wild grapes, detailing their rampant greed, self-indulgence, and injustice. This verse dramatically reveals the consequence of their actions: the grave (Sheol) itself is depicted as opening its vast, insatiable maw to swallow up all the pride and revelry of their society, from the highest nobility to the most boisterous celebrators. The chapter will continue by detailing further woes and pronouncements of judgment upon Israel for their continued sinfulness and rejection of God's law.
When you hear 'Sheol,' what comes to mind? This ancient Hebrew concept might surprise you. It’s not always about eternal torment, but about a stark reality every living thing faces.
In Isaiah 5:14, the prophet uses the word 'Sheol' (שְׁאוֹל). While later traditions often associate hell with fiery punishment, Sheol in the Old Testament primarily refers to the realm of the dead, the grave, the 'underworld.' It's depicted as a vast, shadowy place, a deep pit that 'opens its mouth without measure' to receive the deceased.
Think of it as the ultimate destination for all humanity, rich or poor, righteous or wicked. Here, it's described as swallowing up not just the common people, but also 'their glory,' 'their multitude,' and 'their pomp' – essentially, all the grandeur and power that defined them in life.
This imagery emphasizes the finality of death and the leveling effect it has on all human achievement and status. It's a powerful reminder that no earthly possession or power can shield one from this universal fate.
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Who are the 'nobility' and 'revelers' in Isaiah's day? And why are they singled out for such a grim fate?
Isaiah isn't just talking about death in general; he's specifically calling out the elite of Jerusalem. The 'nobility' (often translated as 'honorable men' or 'glory') and 'multitude' represent the leadership and the populace, while 'revelers' and 'he who exults' point to those who indulged in luxury, pleasure, and perhaps even arrogance, despite the nation's spiritual decay.
These individuals, who likely felt secure in their status and enjoyed their worldly delights, are all destined for the same fate as everyone else: Sheol. Their 'glory' and 'pomp' are stripped away, swallowed by the insatiable grave. This highlights a critical theme in Isaiah: God judges the powerful and the proud, especially when their status is built on injustice and disregard for Him.
Their descent into Sheol is a consequence of their collective spiritual blindness and their embrace of sin, as described in the preceding verses. Their earthly rejoicings and perceived security are ultimately meaningless in the face of divine judgment.
Understand the original words
šəʾôl · Hebrew Noun
The place of the dead, the grave, or the underworld. In this context, it is personified as a ravenous entity that consumes those who have rejected God, illustrating the finality of judgment.
This prophecy is set against the backdrop of increasing Assyrian imperial power and the internal decay of Judah. The "woes" and the vivid imagery of Sheol swallowing up the people highlight the dire consequences of the nation's corruption and injustice, especially in light of the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel.
c. 740 BC
Assyrian Expansion into Judah
The Assyrian Empire, under rulers like Tiglath-Pileser III, was expanding its influence and control over the region, including the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. This created an atmosphere of fear and instability.
c. 730 BC— this verse
Prophecies Against Social Injustice
Isaiah begins delivering a series of prophetic oracles, including the 'woes' in chapter 5, denouncing the corruption, greed, and social injustices prevalent among the wealthy and powerful in Judah and Jerusalem.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrians conquered and destroyed the capital of the northern Kingdom of Israel, Samaria, leading to the exile of its population. This event served as a stark warning to Judah of the consequences of continued disobedience.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
The Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded Judah, conquering many cities and besieging Jerusalem. Though Jerusalem was spared, the event caused widespread devastation and fear.
This proverb offers a stark parallel to Sheol's insatiable nature, stating 'Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and the eyes of man are never satisfied.' Both passages depict an endless craving that consumes everything.
Habakkuk 2:5This verse describes the greed of the oppressor in a similar way, saying 'Moreover, like wine he is a treacherous man, swaggering, he never stays at home. He opens his gullet wide like Sheol and like death, and is never satisfied.'
Luke 16:23In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man is described as being 'in agony in this place of torment,' and 'in Hades' where he lifts up his eyes. This highlights the underworld as a place of consequence for earthly actions.
Revelation 6:8When the fourth seal is opened, 'Death followed him, and Hades was following close behind.' This personification of death and Hades underscores their relentless pursuit and consumption of humanity.
Job 26:6This verse speaks of the realm of the dead, stating, 'Sheol is naked before him, and Abaddon has no covering.' It reveals the totality of what is consumed by Sheol, leaving nothing hidden from God's sight.
barnesIsaiah 5:14: "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."
Therefore hell - The word transated "hell," שׁאול she'ôl, has not the same meaning that we now attach to that word; its usual signification, among the Hebrews, was "the lower world, the region of departed spirits." It corresponded to the Greek ἅδης Hadēs, "hades," or place of the dead. This word occur…
gillIsaiah 5:14: "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."
Therefore hell hath enlarged herself,.... That is, the grave, to receive the dead which die with famine and thirst; signifying that the number of the dead would be so great, that the common burying places would not be sufficient to hold them; but additions must be made to them; or some vast prodigious pit m…
Isaiah's imagery here isn't just about death, but about a vast, consuming emptiness that even devours the seemingly secure and joyful aspects of Jerusalem. Notice how "their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth" are all described as descending together, highlighting that even the things they celebrated as life itself become fuel for this ultimate destruction. It's a chilling reminder that true security isn't found in earthly status or revelry, but in faithfulness.
The prophet Isaiah has just delivered a scathing indictment against Israel through a parable about a vineyard that produced only wild grapes, detailing their rampant greed, self-indulgence, and injustice. This verse dramatically reveals the consequence of their actions: the grave (Sheol) itself is depicted as opening its vast, insatiable maw to swallow up all the pride and revelry of their society, from the highest nobility to the most boisterous celebrators. The chapter will continue by detailing further woes and pronouncements of judgment upon Israel for their continued sinfulness and rejection of God's law.
The prophet Isaiah has just delivered a scathing indictment against Israel through a parable about a vineyard that produced only wild grapes, detailing their rampant greed, self-indulgence, and injustice. This verse dramatically reveals the consequence of their actions: the grave (Sheol) itself is depicted as opening its vast, insatiable maw to swallow up all the pride and revelry of their society, from the highest nobility to the most boisterous celebrators. The chapter will continue by detailing further woes and pronouncements of judgment upon Israel for their continued sinfulness and rejection of God's law.
"Therefore Sheol has enlarged its appetite and opened its mouth beyond measure, and the nobility of Jerusalem and her multitude will go down, her revelers and he who exults in her." — Isaiah's imagery here isn't just about death, but about a vast, consuming emptiness that even devours the seemingly secure and joyful aspects of Jerusalem. Notice how "their glory, and their multitud…
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