Isaiah 5:20
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Original Language Analysis
וְלַטּ֣וֹב
and good
H2896
וְלַטּ֣וֹב
and good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
4 of 16
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
וְלַטּ֣וֹב
and good
H2896
וְלַטּ֣וֹב
and good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
5 of 16
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
שָׂמִ֥ים
that put
H7760
שָׂמִ֥ים
that put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
7 of 16
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
לְחֹ֔שֶׁךְ
darkness
H2822
לְחֹ֔שֶׁךְ
darkness
Strong's:
H2822
Word #:
8 of 16
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
וְא֣וֹר
and light
H216
וְא֣וֹר
and light
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
9 of 16
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
וְא֣וֹר
and light
H216
וְא֣וֹר
and light
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
10 of 16
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
לְחֹ֔שֶׁךְ
darkness
H2822
לְחֹ֔שֶׁךְ
darkness
Strong's:
H2822
Word #:
11 of 16
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
שָׂמִ֥ים
that put
H7760
שָׂמִ֥ים
that put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
12 of 16
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
Cross References
Proverbs 17:15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.Luke 16:15And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.Malachi 2:17Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?Job 17:12They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.2 Peter 2:1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.Amos 5:7Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,Malachi 3:15And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
Historical Context
False prophets in Isaiah's day declared 'peace' when judgment was coming, sweetening bitter truth. This moral confusion enabled continued sin while claiming divine approval.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas has contemporary culture inverted biblical categories of good and evil?
- How can you maintain moral clarity when surrounded by relativistic thinking?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This woe condemns moral relativism—calling evil good and good evil, redefining reality to suit sinful desires. The triple contrasts (evil/good, darkness/light, bitter/sweet) emphasize comprehensive moral inversion. This represents the ultimate corruption: not merely sinning but redefining sin as virtue. Such perversion makes repentance impossible and judgment certain, as conscience itself becomes corrupted.