Isaiah 24:3
The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the LORD hath spoken this word.
Original Language Analysis
תִּבּ֛וֹק
emptied
H1238
תִּבּ֛וֹק
emptied
Strong's:
H1238
Word #:
1 of 11
to pour out, i.e., to empty, figuratively, to depopulate; by analogy, to spread out (as a fruitful vine)
תִּבּ֛וֹק
emptied
H1238
תִּבּ֛וֹק
emptied
Strong's:
H1238
Word #:
2 of 11
to pour out, i.e., to empty, figuratively, to depopulate; by analogy, to spread out (as a fruitful vine)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֔ה
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
דִּבֶּ֖ר
hath spoken
H1696
דִּבֶּ֖ר
hath spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
8 of 11
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Isaiah 24:1Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.Isaiah 6:11Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,
Historical Context
The prophetic formula 'the LORD hath spoken' (ki YHWH dibber) authenticated true prophecy versus false prophets who spoke from their own imagination (Jer 23:16-22, Ezek 13:1-7). In Isaiah's context, false prophets offered assurances of peace while Isaiah announced judgment (Isa 28:14-22). This verse vindicates Isaiah's authority—his word carries divine sanction. History confirmed this: Assyria devastated the northern kingdom (722 BC) and ravaged Judah (701 BC), ultimately leading to Babylonian exile (586 BC).
Questions for Reflection
- What does the emphatic Hebrew construction teach you about God's commitment to fulfilling His warnings?
- How should the phrase 'the LORD hath spoken' shape your response to Scripture's difficult or unwelcome teachings?
- In what ways do modern false prophets offer false assurances contrary to God's revealed Word?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled—the Hebrew uses the infinitive absolute construction (hibbaq tibbaq, הִבּוֹק תִּבּוֹק and hibbaz tibbaz, הִבֹּז תִּבֹּז) for emphatic certainty: "it shall surely, surely be emptied and plundered." This grammatical intensification removes all doubt—judgment is decreed and irreversible. The doubling emphasizes both the totality and inevitability of devastation.
For the LORD hath spoken this word (ki YHWH dibber et-haddabar hazzeh, כִּי יְהוָה דִּבֶּר אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה) grounds judgment's certainty in divine decree. Once YHWH speaks (dibber, דִּבֶּר), the word carries creative and destructive power (Gen 1:3; Ps 33:6, 9). Isaiah frequently invokes this formula (1:20, 22:25, 25:8, 40:5) to authenticate oracles—God's word cannot return void (55:11). Jesus reaffirmed this principle: heaven and earth may pass away, but His words endure (Matt 24:35).