Isaiah 1:20
Isaiah 1:20 in Multiple Translations
But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it.
But if your hearts are turned against me, I will send destruction on you by the sword; so the Lord has said.
But if you are defiant, and if you are rebellious, you'll be killed by the sword. This is what the Lord has declared!
But if ye refuse and be rebellious, ye shalbe deuoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
And if ye refuse, and have rebelled, [By] the sword ye are consumed, For the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken.
but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured with the sword; for the LORD’s mouth has spoken it.”
But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it .
But if you will not, and will provoke me to wrath: the sword shall devour you because the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
But, if you turn away from me and rebel against me, you will be killed by your enemies’ swords. That will surely happen, because I, Yahweh, have said it.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 1:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 1:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אִם
תְּמָאֲנ֖וּ
וּ/מְרִיתֶ֑ם
חֶ֣רֶב
תְּאֻכְּל֔וּ
כִּ֛י
פִּ֥י
יְהוָ֖ה
דִּבֵּֽר
וְ/אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj | Conj
תְּמָאֲנ֖וּ
mâʼên
H3985
to refuse
V-Piel-Imperf-2mp
וּ/מְרִיתֶ֑ם
mârâh
H4784
to rebel
Conj | V-Qal-2mp
חֶ֣רֶב
chereb
H2719
sword
N-fs
תְּאֻכְּל֔וּ
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Q-Imperf-2mp
כִּ֛י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
פִּ֥י
peh
H6310
lip
N-ms
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
דִּבֵּֽר
dâbar
H1696
to speak
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 1:20
וְ/אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj | Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
תְּמָאֲנ֖וּ
mâʼên
H3985
"to refuse"
V-Piel-Imperf-2mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to say no or reject something. It is used in Exodus 23:5 to describe refusing to help someone in need. God commands people to not refuse help.
Definition: (Piel) to refuse
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: refuse, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 37:35; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalms 77:3.
וּ/מְרִיתֶ֑ם
mârâh
H4784
"to rebel"
Conj | V-Qal-2mp
To rebel means to resist or disobey authority, often in a stubborn or defiant way. In the Bible, it's used to describe people's disobedience towards God or their parents.
Definition: 1) to be contentious, be rebellious, be refractory, be disobedient towards, be rebellious against 1a) (Qal) to be disobedient, be rebellious 1a1) towards father 1a2) towards God 1b) (Hiphil) to show rebelliousness, show disobedience, disobey
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: bitter, change, be disobedient, disobey, grievously, provocation, provoke(-ing), (be) rebel (against, -lious). See also: Numbers 20:10; Psalms 78:17; Psalms 5:11.
חֶ֣רֶב
chereb
H2719
"sword"
N-fs
A sword or cutting instrument is what this Hebrew word refers to, including knives and tools for cutting stone. It is used in the Bible to describe weapons and sharp objects.
Definition: 1) sword, knife 1a) sword 1b) knife 1c) tools for cutting stone
Usage: Occurs in 372 OT verses. KJV: axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool. See also: Genesis 3:24; 2 Samuel 2:16; Psalms 7:13.
תְּאֻכְּל֔וּ
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Q-Imperf-2mp
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
כִּ֛י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
פִּ֥י
peh
H6310
"lip"
N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
דִּבֵּֽר
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
Study Notes — Isaiah 1:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 1:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 1:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 1:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 1:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 1:20
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 1:20
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 1:20
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 1:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 1:20
- Sermons on Isaiah 1:20
Context — Meaningless Offerings
18“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.
19If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land.
20But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
21See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers! 22Your silver has become dross; your fine wine is diluted with water.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 65:12 | I will destine you for the sword, and you will all kneel down to be slaughtered, because I called and you did not answer, I spoke and you did not listen; you did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.” |
| 2 | Isaiah 58:14 | then you will delight yourself in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the land and feed you with the heritage of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. |
| 3 | Numbers 23:19 | God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? |
| 4 | Isaiah 40:5 | And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all humanity together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” |
| 5 | Isaiah 3:11 | Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done. |
| 6 | Isaiah 3:25 | Your men will fall by the sword, and your warriors in battle. |
| 7 | 2 Chronicles 36:14–16 | Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people multiplied their unfaithful deeds, following all the abominations of the nations, and they defiled the house of the LORD, which He had consecrated in Jerusalem. Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy. |
| 8 | Leviticus 26:33 | But I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out a sword after you as your land becomes desolate and your cities are laid waste. |
| 9 | Titus 1:2 | in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. |
| 10 | Micah 4:4 | And each man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, with no one to frighten him. For the mouth of the LORD of Hosts has spoken. |
Isaiah 1:20 Summary
[This verse, Isaiah 1:20, is a warning from God that if we choose to disobey Him and go our own way, we will face serious consequences, but as seen in Isaiah 1:18, He is always willing to forgive and cleanse us from our sins if we come to Him in humility and repentance. By obeying God's commands, we can experience the blessings He has in store for us, as promised in Deuteronomy 28:1-2. The key is to listen to God's voice and follow His leading, rather than resisting and rebelling against Him.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'resist and rebel' against God?
To resist and rebel against God means to deliberately disobey His commands and refuse His offer of salvation, as seen in Isaiah 1:20, which is in line with the warnings given in Deuteronomy 28:1-2 and Joshua 24:15.
What is the consequence of resisting and rebelling against God?
According to Isaiah 1:20, those who resist and rebel against God will be 'devoured by the sword', indicating severe judgment and punishment, similar to the warnings given in Jeremiah 5:25 and Ezekiel 5:17.
Is there any hope for those who have resisted and rebelled against God?
Yes, as seen in the preceding verse, Isaiah 1:19, if we are willing and obedient, we will eat the best of the land, and in Isaiah 1:18, God invites us to 'reason together' and promises to cleanse our sins, much like the promise of forgiveness in 1 John 1:9.
Why does the verse emphasize that 'the mouth of the LORD has spoken'?
The phrase 'the mouth of the LORD has spoken' emphasizes the authority and certainty of God's words, as seen in Isaiah 1:20, and is a reminder that God's judgments are final and unchanging, similar to the declaration in Psalm 119:89 and Matthew 24:35.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I may be resisting or rebelling against God in my own life, and how can I surrender to His will?
- How does the promise of judgment in Isaiah 1:20 motivate me to seek a deeper relationship with God and to obey His commands?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of obedience from Isaiah 1:19-20 to my daily life, and what blessings can I expect to receive as a result?
- How can I balance the message of judgment in Isaiah 1:20 with the message of forgiveness and redemption in Isaiah 1:18, and what does this say about God's character?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 1:20
But if ye refuse and rebel,.... The Targum is, "and do not receive my Word"; the Messiah, when come, neither his person, nor his doctrines and ordinances: ye shall be devoured with the sword; of the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 1:20
But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. The Lord hath spoken it.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 1:20
If ye refuse and rebel; if you obstinately persist in your disobedience to me, as hitherto you have done. The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it; he hath said it, who can as easily do it as speak the words, and who cannot lie, and therefore will do it.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 1:20
Isaiah 1:20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it].Ver. 20. But if ye refuse and rebel.] The Romans sent the Carthaginians caduceum et hastam, that they might take their choice of peace upon submission, or war upon refusal so to do. Similarily dealeth the Lord by this people here. Ye shall be devoured with the sword.] War is threatened, which is, saith one, the slaughter house of mankind, and the hell of this present world; and that we may not think that these are but big words, brute thunderbolts, it is added for confirmation, For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.] Now whatsoever he hath spoken with his mouth, he will surely make good with his hand, as Solomon phraseth it in his prayer. The original hath it, "For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken" - q.d., Let his Word stand for a law with you. Justinian telleth us in his Institutes, that it was a prerogative belonging to the Roman emperor, Quicquid principi placuerit, legis habet vigorem, Whatsoever he pleased be bid be done was a law. And the French kings’ edicts or proclamations always end with these binding words, Car bel est nostre plasir, For such is our pleasure, and we look to be obeyed. May not the King of kings say so much more?
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 1:20
Verse 20. Ye shall be devoured with the sword - "Ye shall be food for the sword"] The Septuagint and Vulgate read תאכלכם tochalchem, "the sword shall devour you;" which is of much more easy construction than the present reading of the text. The Chaldee seems to read בחרב אויב תאכלו bechereb oyeb teachelu, "ye shall be consumed by the sword of the enemy." The Syriac also reads בחרב bechereb and renders the verb passively. And the rhythmus seems to require this addition. - Dr. JUBB.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 1:20
20. ye shall be devoured with the sword] “Sword” is here taken as an acc. of instrument, a construction of more than doubtful validity in Hebr. A more idiomatic rendering is: ye shall be made to eat the sword. An exactly similar expression is used by the Arabs, although Hebr. analogies are wanting. 21 ff. The elegy (qînâh, distinguished by a peculiar rhythm and by the opening word ’êkâh, “how”) is a frequent vehicle of prophetic utterance. This is the clearest instance in the genuine writings of Isaiah, and it is characteristic of the ‘city prophet’ (Cheyne), that the subject is not the nation but the idealised capital. Isaiah is in a good sense ‘laudator temporis acti.’ He laments the degeneracy of Jerusalem, looking back probably to the days of David, when it was the abode of judgment and righteousness.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 1:20
But if ye refuse, ye shall be devoured with the sword - Your enemies shall come in, and lay waste the land.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 1:20
18-20. Revolting as the people’s acts have been, God is here pleading to show that their ill condition is of their own causing. Come now — This is a common formula of entreaty. Let us reason — Discuss the case together.
Sermons on Isaiah 1:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
10 Reasons for Unanswered Prayer by George Verwer | In this sermon, a young preacher asks for advice after delivering his first sermon. An old man approaches him and gives him three pieces of advice. The first advice is to read ever |
|
The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded #2 by John Owen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of focusing on the word of God to detach our hearts and affections from worldly things. He encourages believers to have a con |
|
The End of the Wicked Contemplated by the Righteous by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards preaches about the end of the wicked contemplated by the righteous, emphasizing the fall of Babylon, the vengeance of God executed upon her, and the eternal punish |
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(Pdf Book) Forty Mountain Peaks by Bakht Singh | Bakht Singh illustrates the journey of salvation as a series of mountain peaks, emphasizing that just as one must climb to see the full beauty of mountains, believers must ascend s |
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God's Wind by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman preaches about how God's contrary winds and sufferings in life can actually lift us to higher levels and bring us closer to God's heavens, just like birds facing |
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The King and the Kingdom by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the nature of the kingdom of God by knowing the character of the king. The character of the king is demonstra |
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(Through the Bible) Numbers 21-28 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker uses a football game as an analogy to explain how God sees our lives. He emphasizes that God's purposes remain steadfast and sure, even though it may ap |