Isaiah 5:30
And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.
Original Language Analysis
עָלָ֛יו
H5921
עָלָ֛יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בַּיּ֥וֹם
And in that day
H3117
בַּיּ֥וֹם
And in that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
3 of 14
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַה֖וּא
H1931
הַה֖וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 14
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יָ֑ם
of the sea
H3220
יָ֑ם
of the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
6 of 14
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
וְנִבַּ֤ט
and if one look
H5027
וְנִבַּ֤ט
and if one look
Strong's:
H5027
Word #:
7 of 14
to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care
חֹ֔שֶׁךְ
behold darkness
H2822
חֹ֔שֶׁךְ
behold darkness
Strong's:
H2822
Word #:
10 of 14
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
וָא֔וֹר
and the light
H216
וָא֔וֹר
and the light
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
12 of 14
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
Cross References
Isaiah 8:22And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.Joel 2:10The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:Revelation 6:12And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;Isaiah 13:10For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.Jeremiah 6:23They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion.Matthew 24:29Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Historical Context
Siege warfare brought literal darkness through smoke and devastation. Spiritually, divine presence withdrawal left Judah in covenant darkness, fulfilling curse threats.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the 'darkness' of judgment contrast with light imagery associated with divine presence?
- What hope exists even when 'light is darkened'—does grace ultimately triumph over judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The concluding imagery of roaring against Judah 'like the roaring of the sea' and 'darkness and sorrow' with dimmed light depicts overwhelming, inescapable judgment. Sea roaring suggests chaos and threat (Psalm 46:3), while darkness symbolizes absence of hope and guidance. The phrase 'the light is darkened in the heavens thereof' may indicate ecological devastation or symbolize divine presence withdrawal. This apocalyptic imagery anticipates Joel's day of the LORD characterized by darkness (Joel 2:2, 31).