Isaiah 5:14
Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֗ן
H3651
לָכֵ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
הִרְחִ֤יבָה
hath enlarged
H7337
הִרְחִ֤יבָה
hath enlarged
Strong's:
H7337
Word #:
2 of 14
to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative)
שְּׁאוֹל֙
Therefore hell
H7585
שְּׁאוֹל֙
Therefore hell
Strong's:
H7585
Word #:
3 of 14
hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
נַפְשָׁ֔הּ
herself
H5315
נַפְשָׁ֔הּ
herself
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
4 of 14
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וּפָעֲרָ֥ה
and opened
H6473
וּפָעֲרָ֥ה
and opened
Strong's:
H6473
Word #:
5 of 14
to yawn, i.e., open wide (literally or figuratively)
פִ֖יהָ
her mouth
H6310
פִ֖יהָ
her mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
6 of 14
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
לִבְלִי
H1097
לִבְלִי
Strong's:
H1097
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc
חֹ֑ק
without measure
H2706
חֹ֑ק
without measure
Strong's:
H2706
Word #:
8 of 14
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
וְיָרַ֨ד
shall descend
H3381
וְיָרַ֨ד
shall descend
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
9 of 14
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
וַהֲמוֹנָ֛הּ
and their multitude
H1995
וַהֲמוֹנָ֛הּ
and their multitude
Strong's:
H1995
Word #:
11 of 14
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth
וּשְׁאוֹנָ֖הּ
and their pomp
H7588
וּשְׁאוֹנָ֖הּ
and their pomp
Strong's:
H7588
Word #:
12 of 14
uproar (as of rushing); by implication, destruction
Cross References
Proverbs 30:16The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.Luke 21:34And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.Habakkuk 2:5Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:Psalms 55:15Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.Proverbs 27:20Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.Matthew 7:13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:Isaiah 30:33For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.Isaiah 14:9Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.Isaiah 21:4My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.Psalms 49:14Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
Historical Context
Warfare, siege, and exile filled Sheol with Judean dead. The personification emphasizes death's terrifying power when divine protection is removed.
Questions for Reflection
- How does death's 'measureless' appetite underscore the urgency of the gospel?
- What 'pomp' and 'multitude' do we trust in that will ultimately descend to the grave?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Sheol (the grave/realm of death) personified as having insatiable appetite—opening 'her mouth without measure'—depicts death's voracious consumption of Jerusalem's glory, pomp, and multitude. The imagery anticipates Proverbs 27:20 ('hell and destruction are never full') and Jesus' depiction of hell's finality (Matthew 25:46). Death's indiscriminate consumption of nobles and commoners alike demonstrates that apart from God, earthly distinction offers no protection from mortality.