Isaiah 24:3

"It will be as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the creditor, so with the debtor; as with the taker of interest, so with the giver of interest."

Key Reflection

Isaiah 24:3 vividly portrays a scenario where societal roles and relationships are inverted due to divine judgment. This verse uses parallelisms, comparing various social positions—people, priests, servants, masters, mistresses, buyers, sellers, creditors, debtors, takers of interest, and givers of interest—to illustrate the widespread impact of this judgment. The imagery suggests that no one will be immune to the consequences; each role will experience both sides of their relationship, indicating a profound and encompassing calamity. This broader context helps us understand how Isaiah’s prophecy extends beyond mere societal collapse to depict a divine retribution affecting every aspect of life in Israel.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

The land -Hebrew, ‘The earth,’ as inIsaiah 24:1. It is here rendered correctly ‘the land,’ as it should have been there - meaning the land of Canaan. And spoiled -Its valuable possessions shall become the prey of the invading foe. This is an emphatic repetition of the declaration inIsaiah 24:1, to show the absolute certainty of that which was threatened.

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