Isaiah 5:18

5:17 Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.

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

KJV

Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood, and wickedness as with cart rope;

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

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

5:19 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!

What does Isaiah 5:18 mean?

Isaiah 5:18 is a verse in the book of Isaiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include הוֹי (hôwy), מָשַׁךְ (mâshak), עָוֺן (ʻâvôn). It connects to 5 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

Woeהוֹיhôwy/hoh'ee/H1945oh!

unto

them

that

drawמָשַׁךְmâshak/maw-shak'/H4900to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.)

iniquityעָוֺןʻâvôn/aw-vone'/H5771perversity, i.e. (moral) evil

with

cordsחֶבֶלchebel/kheh'-bel/H2256a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or inheritance (as measured); or a noose (as of cords); figuratively, a company (as if tied together); also a throe (especially of parturition); also ruin

vanity,שָׁוְאshâvᵉʼ/shawv/H7723evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also adverbially, in vain)

and

sinחַטָּאָהchaṭṭâʼâh/khat-taw-aw'/H2403an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

were

with

cartעֲגָלָהʻăgâlâh/ag-aw-law'/H5699something revolving, i.e. a wheeled vehicle

rope:עֲבֹתʻăbôth/ab-oth'/H5688something intwined, i.e. a string, wreath or foliage

Commentary on Isaiah 5:18

HENRY_FULL · Isaiah 5:18

r; it is "the benefit of the communion of saints." Brotherly Love. 1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. Here see, I. What it is that is commended— brethren's dwelling together in unity, not only not quarrelling, and devouring one another, but delighting in each other with mutual endearments, and promoting each other's welfare with mutual services. Sometimes it is chosen, as the best expedient for preserving peace, that brethren should live asunder and at a distance from each other; that in

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Exodus 30:25

And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil. apothecary: or, perfumer

Leviticus 8:12

And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.

Proverbs 27:9

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. by: Heb. from the counsel of the soul

Song of Solomon 1:3

Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.

John 12:3

Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

Topics

Infidelity Presumption Scoffing Scorning and Mocking Sin Wicked

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Isaiah 5:18.

Exodus 34:7

Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

Exodus 34:9

And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.

Hosea 11:4

I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. take off: Heb. lift up

Job 41:1

Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? leviathan: That is, a whale or a whirlepoole which: Heb. which thou drownest?

Frequently asked questions

What does Isaiah 5:18 say?

Isaiah 5:18 (King James Version) reads: "Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:"

Is Isaiah 5:18 in the Old or New Testament?

Isaiah 5:18 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Isaiah.

Reflect

As you read Isaiah 5:18, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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