Isaiah Chapter 24 · Verse 5

Authorized King James Version

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The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.

Original Language Analysis

וְהָאָ֥רֶץ The earth H776
וְהָאָ֥רֶץ The earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 1 of 12
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
חָנְפָ֖ה also is defiled H2610
חָנְפָ֖ה also is defiled
Strong's: H2610
Word #: 2 of 12
to soil, especially in a moral sense
תַּ֣חַת H8478
תַּ֣חַת
Strong's: H8478
Word #: 3 of 12
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
יֹשְׁבֶ֑יהָ under the inhabitants H3427
יֹשְׁבֶ֑יהָ under the inhabitants
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 4 of 12
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 5 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עָבְר֤וּ thereof because they have transgressed H5674
עָבְר֤וּ thereof because they have transgressed
Strong's: H5674
Word #: 6 of 12
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
תוֹרֹת֙ the laws H8451
תוֹרֹת֙ the laws
Strong's: H8451
Word #: 7 of 12
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
חָ֣לְפוּ changed H2498
חָ֣לְפוּ changed
Strong's: H2498
Word #: 8 of 12
properly, to slide by, i.e., (by implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change
חֹ֔ק the ordinance H2706
חֹ֔ק the ordinance
Strong's: H2706
Word #: 9 of 12
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
הֵפֵ֖רוּ broken H6565
הֵפֵ֖רוּ broken
Strong's: H6565
Word #: 10 of 12
to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate
בְּרִ֥ית covenant H1285
בְּרִ֥ית covenant
Strong's: H1285
Word #: 11 of 12
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
עוֹלָֽם׃ the everlasting H5769
עוֹלָֽם׃ the everlasting
Strong's: H5769
Word #: 12 of 12
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

Analysis & Commentary

The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof—chaneph (חָנֵף, "defiled") denotes moral pollution, especially covenant violation. The preposition "under" (tachat, תַּחַת) indicates that earth suffers beneath the weight of human sin, recalling Numbers 35:33: bloodshed defiles the land. Creation groans under humanity's rebellion (Rom 8:20-22).

Three indictments follow: they have transgressed the laws (avar torot, עָבַר תּוֹרוֹת)—violated divine instruction; changed the ordinance (chalaph choq, חָלַף חֹק)—altered God's statute; broken the everlasting covenant (parar berit olam, פָּרַר בְּרִית עוֹלָם)—shattered eternal covenant. The berit olam likely references the Noahic covenant (Gen 9:16), binding all humanity—universal accountability predates Sinai. Some identify Adamic or creational covenant (Hos 6:7 margin). Regardless, humanity stands guilty of cosmic covenant-breaking.

Historical Context

This verse provides the theological foundation for verses 1-4's judgment—earth's devastation results from moral causation, not arbitrary divine wrath. The 'everlasting covenant' most likely refers to the Noahic covenant (Gen 9:1-17), which established basic moral order for all nations: prohibitions against murder, dietary laws, and accountability to God. Ancient Israel understood that even Gentile nations bore covenant obligations to the Creator (Amos 1-2 judges nations by moral law, not Mosaic Torah). Humanity's universal covenant-breaking warranted universal judgment.

Questions for Reflection