Isaiah 26:14
They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.
Original Language Analysis
מֵתִים֙
They are dead
H4191
מֵתִים֙
They are dead
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
1 of 13
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
בַּל
H1077
בַּל
Strong's:
H1077
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest
יִחְי֔וּ
they shall not live
H2421
יִחְי֔וּ
they shall not live
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
3 of 13
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
רְפָאִ֖ים
they are deceased
H7496
רְפָאִ֖ים
they are deceased
Strong's:
H7496
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, lax, i.e., (figuratively) a ghost (as dead; in plural only)
בַּל
H1077
בַּל
Strong's:
H1077
Word #:
5 of 13
properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest
יָקֻ֑מוּ
they shall not rise
H6965
יָקֻ֑מוּ
they shall not rise
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
6 of 13
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
לָכֵ֤ן
H3651
לָכֵ֤ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
פָּקַ֙דְתָּ֙
therefore hast thou visited
H6485
פָּקַ֙דְתָּ֙
therefore hast thou visited
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
8 of 13
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
וַתְּאַבֵּ֥ד
to perish
H6
וַתְּאַבֵּ֥ד
to perish
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Proverbs 10:7The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.Isaiah 8:19And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?Psalms 106:28They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.Revelation 20:5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.Isaiah 10:3And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?Psalms 109:13Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.Psalms 9:6O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.Exodus 14:30Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.Matthew 2:20Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.Deuteronomy 4:28And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.
Historical Context
Isaiah prophesied during Assyria's imperial expansion, when powerful nations seemed invincible. Yet Isaiah predicts their utter destruction and forgotten legacy. History proved him right: Assyria fell to Babylon (612 BC), Babylon to Persia (539 BC). These once-mighty empires that oppressed God's people are now archaeological ruins, their power and memory erased from living influence. This pattern continues through Rome and every empire that sets itself against God.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the promise that God's enemies will not rise again encourage believers facing powerful opposition?
- What does it mean that their 'memory shall perish'—why is legacy erasure part of divine judgment?
- How should the certainty of God's judgment on wickedness affect how we respond to injustice and persecution today?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise (מֵתִים בַּל־יִחְיוּ רְפָאִים בַּל־יָקֻמוּ / metim bal-yichyu refa'im bal-yaqumu)—This verse contrasts sharply with verse 19's resurrection promise. The refa'im (shades, dead spirits) refers to Israel's defeated oppressors—the "other lords" of verse 13. Their death is final and permanent; they have no future resurrection. This demonstrates God's comprehensive judgment on wickedness.
Therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish (לָכֵן פָּקַדְתָּ וַתַּשְׁמִידֵם וַתְּאַבֵּד כָּל־זֵכֶר לָמוֹ / laken paqadta vatashmidem vate'abed kol-zeker lamo)—The verb פָּקַד (paqad, "to visit") often means divine intervention for judgment or salvation. Here it's punitive visitation. Their complete obliteration includes even their memory (zeker)—no legacy, no honor, no continued influence. Contrast this with the righteous whose names are written in God's book (Exodus 32:32, Daniel 12:1, Revelation 20:15).