Isaiah 24:8
The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth.
Original Language Analysis
שָׁבַ֖ת
ceaseth
H7673
שָׁבַ֖ת
ceaseth
Strong's:
H7673
Word #:
1 of 9
to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)
מְשׂ֥וֹשׂ
The mirth
H4885
מְשׂ֥וֹשׂ
The mirth
Strong's:
H4885
Word #:
2 of 9
delight, concretely (the cause or object) or abstractly (the feeling)
חָדַ֖ל
endeth
H2308
חָדַ֖ל
endeth
Strong's:
H2308
Word #:
4 of 9
properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle
שְׁא֣וֹן
the noise
H7588
שְׁא֣וֹן
the noise
Strong's:
H7588
Word #:
5 of 9
uproar (as of rushing); by implication, destruction
שָׁבַ֖ת
ceaseth
H7673
שָׁבַ֖ת
ceaseth
Strong's:
H7673
Word #:
7 of 9
to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)
Cross References
Hosea 2:11I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.Revelation 18:22And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;Jeremiah 7:34Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.Ezekiel 26:13And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard.Jeremiah 25:10Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.Jeremiah 16:9For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.
Historical Context
Music accompanied all aspects of ancient life—worship, festivals, banquets, and celebrations. Tambourines (typically played by women) and harps (by trained musicians) provided rhythmic and melodic accompaniment. Isaiah's audience would have understood music's cessation as comprehensive cultural death—when music stops, life itself has ended. Babylonian exile fulfilled this: 'By the rivers of Babylon... we hanged our harps... How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land?' (Ps 137:1-4). Judgment silences song.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the cessation of music and celebration teach you about the cultural and spiritual death that accompanies divine judgment?
- How does the contrast between earthly music ceasing and heavenly music continuing (Revelation 5:8, 14:2-3) shape your understanding of redemption?
- In what ways might God be calling you to examine whether your worship and joy are rooted in circumstances or in Him?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The mirth of tabrets ceaseth—toph (תֹּף, "tabret/tambourine"), used in celebration and worship (Ex 15:20, Ps 150:4), falls silent. The verb shabat (שָׁבַת, "cease") echoes Sabbath-rest language but here denotes cessation of joy, not holy rest. The noise of them that rejoice endeth uses alizzim (עַלִּיזִים, "exultant ones"), those who celebrate boisterously. Their clamor (sha'on, שָׁאוֹן) terminates (chadal, חָדַל).
The joy of the harp ceaseth—kinnor (כִּנּוֹר, "harp"), David's instrument (1 Sam 16:23) and temple worship's accompaniment (Ps 33:2, 43:4), becomes mute. Music's silencing symbolizes worship's end and joy's death. Ezekiel prophesied similar cessation in Tyre's judgment (Ezek 26:13). Conversely, Revelation depicts heaven's ceaseless worship with harps (Rev 5:8, 14:2)—earthly music ceases in judgment, but redemption restores it eternally. Only those who learn the 'new song' (Rev 14:3) escape silence.