Isaiah 24:22
And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
Original Language Analysis
וְאֻסְּפ֨וּ
And they shall be gathered together
H622
וְאֻסְּפ֨וּ
And they shall be gathered together
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
1 of 11
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בּ֔וֹר
in the pit
H953
בּ֔וֹר
in the pit
Strong's:
H953
Word #:
5 of 11
a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)
וְסֻגְּר֖וּ
and shall be shut up
H5462
וְסֻגְּר֖וּ
and shall be shut up
Strong's:
H5462
Word #:
6 of 11
to shut up; figuratively, to surrender
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מַסְגֵּ֑ר
in the prison
H4525
מַסְגֵּ֑ר
in the prison
Strong's:
H4525
Word #:
8 of 11
a fastener, i.e., (of a person) a smith, (of a thing) a prison
Cross References
Zechariah 9:11As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.Isaiah 42:22But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.
Historical Context
Ancient prisons were often cisterns or underground pits. Joseph was thrown into a pit (Genesis 37:24); Jeremiah into a dungeon cistern (Jeremiah 38:6). These became metaphors for death, Sheol, and eschatological imprisonment. Jewish apocalyptic writings describe rebellious angels imprisoned until final judgment (1 Enoch 10:12-13; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6), influencing Christian eschatology.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the imagery of imprisoning evil powers before final judgment comfort believers suffering injustice?
- What does the 'many days' waiting period teach about God's patience and the certainty of ultimate justice?
- How do Revelation 20's visions of Satan's binding and final release relate to this Isaiah passage?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit (וְאֻסְּפוּ אֲסֵפָה אַסִּיר עַל־בּוֹר)—The verb asap (gather) intensified with cognate noun asephah (gathering) emphasizes comprehensive roundup. These rebellious powers, both spiritual and human, are gathered as asir (prisoners) into a bor (pit, dungeon, cistern). And shall be shut up in the prison (וְסֻגְּרוּ עַל־מַסְגֵּר)—The verb sagar (shut, close) with noun masger (prison, enclosure) creates wordplay: shut shut, imprisoned in prison. The redundancy emphasizes inescapable confinement.
After many days shall they be visited (וּמֵרֹב יָמִים יִפָּקֵדוּ)—The verb paqad here likely means 'punished' or 'reckoned with' rather than 'released.' After rov yamim (many days, abundance of days), final judgment comes. This may refer to the 'thousand years' of Revelation 20:2-3 when Satan is bound, then released for final rebellion before ultimate judgment (20:7-10). Alternatively, it describes the waiting period between death and final judgment (Revelation 20:5, 12-13). Either way, the passage teaches that judgment has stages: initial confinement, waiting period, final reckoning. Justice delayed is not justice denied—God's timing is purposeful, not procrastinating.