God declares He will "choose their delusions" and bring their "fears upon them." This isn't just about punishment; the original Hebrew word for "delusions" can also imply "petulance" or "childish follies." This highlights that God's judgment will be a consequence of their own willful immaturity and self-deception, not a random act.
I also will choose harsh treatment for them and bring their fears upon them, because when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, they did not listen; but they did what was evil in my eyes and chose that in which I did not delight.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet Isaiah's message culminates in a stark pronouncement of judgment against those who have persistently ignored God's calls and spoken words. Having chosen evil and rejected God's delight, they now face a consequence where God will select their punishment and bring their deepest fears upon them. This verse serves as the direct response to their persistent rebellion, directly linking their chosen path of disobedience to the divine retribution that will inevitably follow.
God declares He will 'choose' how to punish His people. What does it mean for the Almighty to 'choose' a method of judgment? It’s not a random act, but a deliberate, fitting response.
Isaiah 66:4 reveals a profound aspect of God's justice: He chooses the punishment that directly mirrors the people's rejection of Him.
A Deliberate Choice
The Hebrew word translated as 'delusions' or 'devices' here (תַּעֲלוּלִים, ta'alulim) is complex. While some translations suggest 'delusions,' the context points to a deliberate selection of calamitous events or a form of punitive irony.
This isn't about God being petty; it's about His justice being thorough and precise, ensuring that the consequences of rebellion are perfectly aligned with the rebellion itself.
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God called, He spoke, He offered a way. But His people turned a deaf ear. What happens when divine invitations are consistently ignored?
The latter half of Isaiah 66:4 explains why God will choose such harsh treatment: His people’s persistent rejection of His communication.
Rejection of Divine Dialogue
This sequence—God's persistent outreach, their stubborn refusal, and their subsequent embrace of evil—sets the stage for God's chosen judgment. Their lack of response to His loving call leads to His chosen response of severe consequence.
Isaiah's final words in this chapter speak to a persistent theme throughout Israel's history: God's patient calling, followed by human rejection and resulting judgment. The echoes of exile and the struggle for faithfulness provide a stark backdrop to these pronouncements, highlighting the consequences of turning away from the divine call.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, capturing many fortified cities and besieging Jerusalem. King Hezekiah eventually buys him off with a heavy tribute.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon begins its conquest of Judah, leading to the first wave of exiles, including notable figures like Daniel.
587/586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon, marking a low point for the Judean people.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Following Cyrus the Great's decree, a portion of the Jewish people returns from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem and begins to rebuild the Temple.
c. 458 BC - 432 BC
Reforms of Ezra and Nehemiah
Ezra the scribe and Nehemiah the governor lead significant religious and social reforms in Judah, attempting to re-establish the Law and rebuild the community.
c. 400 BC - 300 BC— this verse
Prophetic Ministry of Isaiah
Isaiah delivers his prophecies during a tumultuous period for Judah, marked by political instability, foreign threats, and internal spiritual decay.
This passage echoes Isaiah's theme of God calling out to His people, only for them to refuse to listen and to persist in evil, highlighting the persistent unfaithfulness that provokes divine judgment.
Proverbs 1:24-28Here, wisdom calls out repeatedly, but those who ignore her warnings face a future where their own fears will be answered with judgment, mirroring Isaiah's message of calling and not being heard, followed by fears coming upon them.
Luke 11:47-52Jesus pronounces judgment on the religious leaders for rejecting the prophets (God's 'calls' and 'speeches'), and warns them that the blood of all the righteous will be required, aligning with Isaiah's condemnation of those who ignore God's word and choose what is evil.
Hebrews 12:25This verse warns listeners to pay close attention to God’s voice, because those who refused to listen to earthly messengers (like Moses and the prophets) did not escape punishment, reinforcing the serious consequence of ignoring divine communication highlighted in Isaiah.
barnesIsaiah 66:4: "I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not."
I also will choose their delusions - Margin, 'Devices.' The Hebrew word rendered here 'delusions' and 'devices' (תעלוּלים ta‛ălûlı̂ym) properly denotes petulance, sauciness; and then vexation, adverse destiny, from עלל ‛âlal, to do, to accomplish, to do e…
pulpitIsaiah 66:4: "I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not."
Verse 4. - Their delusions; or, their childish follies (LXX., ἐμπαίγματα). As God sends on some men "strong delusion that they should believe a lie" (2 Thessalonians 2:11), so on others he sends a spirit of childish folly, which makes their conduct silly and…
God declares He will "choose their delusions" and bring their "fears upon them." This isn't just about punishment; the original Hebrew word for "delusions" can also imply "petulance" or "childish follies." This highlights that God's judgment will be a consequence of their own willful immaturity and self-deception, not a random act.
The prophet Isaiah's message culminates in a stark pronouncement of judgment against those who have persistently ignored God's calls and spoken words. Having chosen evil and rejected God's delight, they now face a consequence where God will select their punishment and bring their deepest fears upon them. This verse serves as the direct response to their persistent rebellion, directly linking their chosen path of disobedience to the divine retribution that will inevitably follow.
The prophet Isaiah's message culminates in a stark pronouncement of judgment against those who have persistently ignored God's calls and spoken words. Having chosen evil and rejected God's delight, they now face a consequence where God will select their punishment and bring their deepest fears upon them. This verse serves as the direct response to their persistent rebellion, directly linking their chosen path of disobedience to the divine retribution that will inevitably follow.
"I also will choose harsh treatment for them and bring their fears upon them, because when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, they did not listen; but they did what was evil in my eyes and chose that in…" — God declares He will "choose their delusions" and bring their "fears upon them." This isn't just about punishment; the original Hebrew word for "delusions" can also imply "petulance" or "childish fol…
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Last reviewed October 2026
