Isaiah 5:13
Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֛ן
H3651
לָכֵ֛ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 11
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
גָּלָ֥ה
are gone into captivity
H1540
גָּלָ֥ה
are gone into captivity
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
2 of 11
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
עַמִּ֖י
Therefore my people
H5971
עַמִּ֖י
Therefore my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 11
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
מִבְּלִי
H1097
מִבְּלִי
Strong's:
H1097
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc
וּכְבוֹדוֹ֙
and their honourable
H3519
וּכְבוֹדוֹ֙
and their honourable
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
מְתֵ֣י
men
H4962
מְתֵ֣י
men
Strong's:
H4962
Word #:
7 of 11
properly, an adult (as of full length); by implication, a man (only in the plural)
Cross References
Hosea 4:6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.Isaiah 1:3The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.Isaiah 27:11When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.Isaiah 1:7Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.Romans 1:28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Historical Context
Despite temple presence and prophetic ministry, Judah remained willfully ignorant of covenant demands. This culpable ignorance, not innocent lack of exposure, brought exile.
Questions for Reflection
- How does willful spiritual ignorance—refusing to know God deeply—lead to captivity?
- What 'knowledge' are we resisting that could spare us judgment's consequences?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Exile results from lack of knowledge (Hebrew 'da'at')—not mere ignorance but willful rejection of covenant instruction. The consequence—honorable men famished and multitude dried up with thirst—depicts exile's deprivation. Knowledge of God is prerequisite to covenant blessing; its absence invites curse (Hosea 4:6). This underscores that ignorance isn't innocence; refusing to know God brings judgment. The New Testament similarly warns that those who don't know God face eternal destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:8).