Isaiah 13:10
For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כוֹכְבֵ֤י
For the stars
H3556
כוֹכְבֵ֤י
For the stars
Strong's:
H3556
Word #:
2 of 14
a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince
הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙
of heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙
of heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
3 of 14
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וּכְסִ֣ילֵיהֶ֔ם
and the constellations
H3685
וּכְסִ֣ילֵיהֶ֔ם
and the constellations
Strong's:
H3685
Word #:
4 of 14
any notable constellation; specifically orion (as if a burly one)
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָהֵ֖לּוּ
thereof shall not give
H1984
יָהֵ֖לּוּ
thereof shall not give
Strong's:
H1984
Word #:
6 of 14
to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ
אוֹרֽוֹ׃
shall not cause her light
H216
אוֹרֽוֹ׃
shall not cause her light
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
7 of 14
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
חָשַׁ֤ךְ
shall be darkened
H2821
חָשַׁ֤ךְ
shall be darkened
Strong's:
H2821
Word #:
8 of 14
to be dark (as withholding light); transitively, to darken
הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙
the sun
H8121
הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙
the sun
Strong's:
H8121
Word #:
9 of 14
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
בְּצֵאת֔וֹ
in his going forth
H3318
בְּצֵאת֔וֹ
in his going forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
10 of 14
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Matthew 24:29Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:Mark 13:24But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,Joel 2:31The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.Revelation 8:12And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.Isaiah 5:30And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.Luke 21:25And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;Joel 3:15The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.Isaiah 24:23Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.Joel 2:10The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
Historical Context
Ancient peoples viewed celestial bodies as symbols of stability, order, and divine governance. Many ancient religions deified sun, moon, and stars. For these lights to go dark was unthinkable—yet that's precisely Isaiah's point. What seems permanent is not; what seems unshakeable can be shaken. Babylon seemed eternal—yet fell. Whether this language is literal (cosmic signs), figurative (political upheaval so complete it's like celestial darkening), or both, the message is clear: nothing escapes God's judgment. The New Testament applies similar language to Christ's return (Matthew 24:29).
Questions for Reflection
- What in your world seems as permanent and unchangeable as the stars—yet stands under God's judgment?
- How does apocalyptic language serve to communicate the magnitude of God's intervention in history?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Cosmic signs accompany divine judgment: 'the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.' This apocalyptic language appears throughout Scripture (Joel 2:10; Matthew 24:29; Revelation 6:12-13). It can be understood literally (cosmic disturbances), symbolically (political/social upheaval), or both. The darkening of celestial bodies represents the overthrow of established order—what seemed permanent and stable (like the heavens) proves temporary and shakeable. When God judges, even the cosmos responds.