Isaiah 24:16
From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
This verse captures prophetic tension: glimpsing future salvation yet remaining immersed in present sin. Isaiah hears distant songs of the redeemed but confronts immediate reality—persistent human treachery. 'Treacherous dealers' (בֹּגְדִים, bogdim) refers to covenant-breakers, those who betray trust, particularly Israel's unfaithfulness to God. The prophet's anguish reflects spiritual burden—seeing both God's promised glory and humanity's continued rebellion. Jeremiah experienced similar agony (Jeremiah 9:2). This prophetic grief foreshadows Jesus weeping over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44), seeing both coming judgment and offered salvation.
Questions for Reflection
- How should believers balance celebrating God's ultimate victory with grieving over present evil and suffering?
- What does Isaiah's visceral reaction ('my leanness, my leanness, woe unto me!') teach about appropriate spiritual responses to persistent sin?
- In what ways does the repeated emphasis on treachery reveal the seriousness of covenant-breaking and unfaithfulness to God?
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Analysis & Commentary
From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs (מִכְּנַף הָאָרֶץ, mik'naf ha'aretz, literally 'from the wing/edge of the earth')—The prophet hears praise echoing from earth's extremities. Even glory to the righteous (צְבִי לַצַּדִּיק, tsebi latsadiq) can mean 'glory to the Righteous One' (God) or 'glory belongs to the righteous.' Either way, it celebrates divine vindication.
Then comes jarring reversal: But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! (רָזִי־לִי רָזִי־לִי, razi-li razi-li)—The repetition intensifies anguish. רָזִי (razi) means 'my leanness,' 'my wasting away,' suggesting physical/spiritual emaciation from witnessing continued treachery. The treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously—The Hebrew repeats בָּגַד (bagad, to act treacherously) four times in escalating forms, creating a drumbeat of betrayal. This isn't occasional faithlessness but pervasive, deepening treachery that devastates the prophet.