Isaiah – Chapter 24

Old Testament23 Verses

Chapter Summary

Isaiah 24 opens with the words: "Behold the Lord shall lay waste the earth, and shall strip it, and shall afflict the face thereof, and scatter abroad the inhabitants…" Across its 23 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and justice and care for the poor. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Behold the Lord shall lay waste the earth, and shall strip it, and shall afflict the face thereof, and scatter abroad the inhabitants thereof.

2And it shall be as with the people, so with the priest: and as with the servant so with his master: as with the handmaid, so with her mistress: as with the buyer, so with the seller: as with the lender, so with the borrower: as with him that calleth for his money, so with him that oweth.

3With desolation shall the earth be laid waste, and it shall be utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word.

4The earth mourned, and faded away, and is weakened: the world faded away, the height of the people of the earth is weakened.

5And the earth is infected by the inhabitants thereof: because they have transgressed the laws, they have changed the ordinance, they have broken the everlasting covenant.

6Therefore shall a curse devour the earth, and the inhabitants thereof shall sin: and therefore they that dwell therein shall be mad, and few men shall be left.

7The vintage hath mourned, the vine hath languished away, all the merry have sighed.

8The mirth of timbrels hath ceased, the noise of them that rejoice is ended, the melody of the harp is silent.

9They shall not drink wine with a song: the drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.

10The city of vanity is broken down, every house is shut up, no man cometh in.

11There shall be a crying for wine in the streets: all mirth is forsaken: the joy of the earth is gone away.

12Desolation is left in the city, and calamity shall oppress the gates.

13For it shall be thus in the midst of the earth, in the midst of the people, as if a few olives, that remain, should be shaken out of the olive tree: or grapes, when the vintage is ended.

14These shall lift up their voice, and shall give praise: when the Lord shall be glorified, they shall make a joyful noise from the sea.

15Therefore glorify ye the Lord in instruction: the name of the Lord God of Israel in the islands of the sea.

16From the ends of the earth we have heard praises, the glory of the just one. And I said: My secret to myself, my secret to myself, woe is me: the prevaricators have prevaricated, and with the prevarication of transgressors they have prevaricated.

17Fear, and the pit, and the snare are upon thee, O thou inhabitant of the earth.

18And it shall come to pass, that he that shall flee from the noise of the fear, shall fall into the pit: and he that shall rid himself out of the pit, shall be taken in the snare: for the flood-gates from on high are opened, and the foundations of the earth shall be shaken.

19With breaking shall the earth be broken, with crushing shall the earth be crushed, with trembling shall the earth be moved.

20With shaking shall the earth be shaken as a drunken man, and shall be removed as the tent of one night: and the iniquity thereof shall be heavy upon it, and it shall fall, and not rise again.

21And it shall come to pass, that in that day the Lord shall visit upon the host of heaven on high, and upon the kings of the earth, on the earth.

22And they shall be gathered together as in the gathering of one bundle into the pit, and they shall be shut up there in prison: and after many days they shall be visited.

23And the moon shall blush, and the sun shall be ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Sion, and in Jerusalem, and shall be glorified in the sight of his ancients.

Important Verses in Isaiah 24

Behold the Lord shall lay waste the earth, and shall strip it, and shall afflict the face thereof, and scatter abroad the inhabitants thereof.

Isaiah 24:1

And the earth is infected by the inhabitants thereof: because they have transgressed the laws, they have changed the ordinance, they have broken the everlasting covenant.

Isaiah 24:5

Therefore glorify ye the Lord in instruction: the name of the Lord God of Israel in the islands of the sea.

Isaiah 24:15

And it shall come to pass, that in that day the Lord shall visit upon the host of heaven on high, and upon the kings of the earth, on the earth.

Isaiah 24:21

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Isaiah was written with judah in crisis, the exiles in Babylon, and all who await the Messiah in view. Chapter 24 of 66 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 23 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The passage starts with these words: "Behold the Lord shall lay waste the earth, and shall strip it, and shall afflict the face thereof, and scatter abroad…" The chapter ends with: "And the moon shall blush, and the sun shall be ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Sion, and in…" In terms of historical background, Isaiah prophesied in Jerusalem during the Assyrian crisis, calling kings to trust God rather than alliances. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC).

Who Wrote It

The prophet Isaiah of Jerusalem; chapters 40-66 continue his message through inspired disciples

When It Was Written

Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC)

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Isaiah 24 unfolds through 23 verses that carry forward the message of judgment, comfort, and messianic hope. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Behold the Lord shall lay waste the earth, and shall strip it, and shall afflict the face thereof, and scatter abroad the inhabitants thereof." The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of judgment, comfort, and messianic hope. Isaiah's prophecies are fulfilled in Christ, especially the Suffering Servant (CIC 601). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 436).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.

Reflection for Today

As Catholics read Isaiah Chapter 24, we do so within the living Tradition that has guarded this text for two millennia.

The saints did not treat Scripture as antiquarian literature. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, and countless others used passages such as this to fuel daily conversion. the sanctity of marriage and family remains a practical lesson for modern disciples.

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of the sanctity of marriage and family bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Isaiah Chapter 24 about?

Isaiah 24 contains 23 verses. It opens with "Behold the Lord shall lay waste the earth, and shall strip it, and shall afflict the face thereof, and scatter abroad…" and closes with "And the moon shall blush, and the sun shall be ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Sion, and in…". The book as a whole is prophetic oracles and poetry.

What is a key verse in Isaiah 24?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Behold the Lord shall lay waste the earth, and shall strip it, and shall afflict the face thereof, and scatter abroad the inhabitants thereof." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Isaiah and when?

The prophet Isaiah of Jerusalem; chapters 40-66 continue his message through inspired disciples. Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC).

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