Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 24:22
To gather means to bring people or things together, often for a purpose like worship or community. It can also mean to take away or remove something, like gathering a harvest. This word appears in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) to gather, receive, remove, gather in 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to gather, collect 1a2) to gather (an individual into company of others) 1a3) to bring up the rear 1a4) to gather and take away, remove, withdraw 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to assemble, be gathered 1b2) (pass of Qal 1a2) 1b2a) to be gathered to one's fathers 1b2b) to be brought in or into (association with others) 1b3) (pass of Qal 1a4) 1b3a) to be taken away, removed, perish 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to gather (harvest) 1c2) to take in, receive into 1c3) rearguard, rearward (subst) 1d) (Pual) to be gathered 1e) (Hithpael) to gather oneself or themselves
Usage: Occurs in 188 OT verses. KJV: assemble, bring, consume, destroy, felch, gather (in, together, up again), [idiom] generally, get (him), lose, put all together, receive, recover (another from leprosy), (be) rereward, [idiom] surely, take (away, into, up), [idiom] utterly, withdraw. See also: Genesis 6:21; 1 Chronicles 11:13; Psalms 26:9.
This word refers to a group of people gathered together, like in Acts when the disciples came together to pray. It is often used to describe a collection of people in the Bible, such as a crowd or an assembly.
Definition: a collecting, gathering
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] together. See also: Isaiah 24:22.
A prisoner is someone who is bound or captive, as seen in the story of Joseph in Genesis 39:20. The word describes a person held against their will.
Definition: 1) prisoners (collective) 2) (CLBL) prisoner, captive
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: prisoner. See also: Psalms 79:11; Isaiah 24:22; Isaiah 10:4.
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
This word refers to a cistern or pit, often used to hold water or as a prison. In the Bible, it is used to describe a place of confinement, like a dungeon or well. It is a physical hole in the ground.
Definition: pit, well, cistern, dungeon, pit of the grave
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: cistern, dungeon, fountain, pit, well. See also: Genesis 37:20; Proverbs 5:15; Psalms 7:16.
To shut means to close something, like a door or a container. In the Bible, this word is used to describe surrendering or giving something up, like in the book of Ezra where the Israelites shut themselves in to pray.
Definition: 1) to shut, close 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to shut 1a2) to close, close up 1a3) closed up, closely joined, shut up 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be shut up 1b2) to be shut or closed 1c) (Piel) to shut up, deliver up 1d) (Pual) to be shut up 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to deliver up 1e2) to shut up, imprison 2) pure gold Aramaic equivalent: se.gar (סְגַר "to shut" H5463)
Usage: Occurs in 87 OT verses. KJV: close up, deliver (up), give over (up), inclose, [idiom] pure, repair, shut (in, self, out, up, up together), stop, [idiom] straitly. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Kings 11:27; Psalms 17:10.
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
This Hebrew word refers to a locksmith or a smith who builds or repairs things like prisons or strongholds. It is used in the Bible to describe the work of skilled craftsmen like Huram-abi in 2 Chronicles 4:11-18. The word can also mean a prison or dungeon.
Definition: 1) a shutting up, locksmith, smith, dungeon, enclosure, builder of bulwarks 1a) locksmith, smith 1b) dungeon
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: prison, smith. See also: 2 Kings 24:14; Isaiah 24:22; Psalms 142:8.
Describes abundance or greatness in the Bible, used to talk about God's power and creation in Psalms and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) multitude, abundance, greatness 1a) multitude 1a1) abundance, abundantly 1a2) numerous 1b) greatness
Usage: Occurs in 145 OT verses. KJV: abundance(-antly), all, [idiom] common (sort), excellent, great(-ly, -ness, number), huge, be increased, long, many, more in number, most, much, multitude, plenty(-ifully), [idiom] very (age). See also: Genesis 16:10; Job 32:7; Psalms 5:8.
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
This word means to visit or oversee, and can imply a range of actions, from friendly to hostile. It is used in various contexts, including appointing, avenging, or delivering something into someone's care. The KJV translates it in many ways, including appoint, avenge, or commit.
Definition: : list/count 1) to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pay attention to, observe 1a2) to attend to 1a3) to seek, look about for 1a4) to seek in vain, need, miss, lack 1a5) to visit 1a6) to visit upon, punish 1a7) to pass in review, muster, number 1a8) to appoint, assign, lay upon as a charge, deposit 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be sought, be needed, be missed, be lacking 1b2) to be visited 1b3) to be visited upon 1b4) to be appointed 1b5) to be watched over 1c) (Piel) to muster, call up 1d) (Pual) to be passed in review, be caused to miss, be called, be called to account 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to set over, make overseer, appoint an overseer 1e2) to commit, entrust, commit for care, deposit 1f) (Hophal) 1f1) to be visited 1f2) to be deposited 1f3) to be made overseer, be entrusted 1g) (Hithpael) numbered 1h) (Hothpael) numbered
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want. See also: Genesis 21:1; Numbers 26:47; Psalms 8:5.
Context — God’s Judgment on the Earth
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) |
| 1 |
Zechariah 9:11 |
As for you, because of the blood of My covenant, I will release your prisoners from the waterless pit. |
| 2 |
Isaiah 42:22 |
But this is a people plundered and looted, all trapped in caves or imprisoned in dungeons. They have become plunder with no one to rescue them, and loot with no one to say, “Send them back!” |
| 3 |
Jeremiah 38:6–13 |
So they took Jeremiah and dropped him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah with ropes into the cistern, which had no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud. Now Ebed-melech the Cushite, a court official in the royal palace, heard that Jeremiah had been put into the cistern. While the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin, Ebed-melech went out from the king’s palace and said to the king, “My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have dropped him into the cistern, where he will starve to death, for there is no more bread in the city.” So the king commanded Ebed-melech the Cushite, “Take thirty men from here with you and pull Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.” Then Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to the king’s palace, to a place below the storehouse. From there he took old rags and worn-out clothes and lowered them with ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern. Ebed-melech the Cushite cried out to Jeremiah, “Put these worn-out rags and clothes under your arms to pad the ropes.” Jeremiah did so, and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard. |
| 4 |
Isaiah 10:4 |
Nothing will remain but to crouch among the captives or fall among the slain. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised. |
| 5 |
Ezekiel 38:8 |
After a long time you will be summoned. In the latter years you will enter a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and all now dwell securely. |
| 6 |
Isaiah 2:19 |
Men will flee to caves in the rocks and holes in the ground, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth. |
| 7 |
Joshua 10:16–17 |
Now the five kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah. And Joshua was informed: “The five kings have been found; they are hiding in the cave at Makkedah.” |
| 8 |
Joshua 10:22–26 |
Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me.” So they brought the five kings out of the cave—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon. When they had brought the kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had accompanied him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So the commanders came forward and put their feet on their necks. “Do not be afraid or discouraged,” Joshua said. “Be strong and courageous, for the LORD will do this to all the enemies you fight.” After this, Joshua struck down and killed the kings, and he hung their bodies on five trees and left them there until evening. |
| 9 |
Isaiah 24:17 |
Terror and pit and snare await you, O dweller of the earth. |
Isaiah 24:22 Summary
Isaiah 24:22 is a warning about what will happen to those who rebel against God - they will be punished and confined, like prisoners in a pit. This is a serious consequence of sin, as seen in Romans 6:23, where the wages of sin is death. However, even in the midst of judgment, God is sovereign and will ultimately establish His reign on Mount Zion, as described in Isaiah 24:23, and in Revelation 21:1-4, where God dwells with His people. This verse encourages us to take sin seriously and to seek God's mercy and forgiveness, as seen in 1 John 1:9, where if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be 'gathered together like prisoners in a pit' in Isaiah 24:22?
This phrase is a metaphor for the confinement and punishment of those who have rebelled against God, similar to what is described in Revelation 20:15, where those whose names are not found in the Book of Life are thrown into the lake of fire.
Who are the ones being punished in Isaiah 24:22?
The context of Isaiah 24:20-21 suggests that the ones being punished are the 'host of heaven above and the kings of the earth below', who have rebelled against God and will face judgment, as also seen in Romans 6:23, where the wages of sin is death.
What does 'after many days' mean in Isaiah 24:22?
This phrase suggests that the punishment will occur at a future time, after a long period of waiting, similar to what is described in Hebrews 10:37, where the Lord will come and will not delay, and in 2 Peter 3:9, where the Lord is patient, not wanting anyone to perish.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
Isaiah 24:22 is part of a larger description of God's judgment on the earth, where He will punish those who have rebelled against Him, as seen in Isaiah 24:20, and ultimately establish His reign on Mount Zion, as described in Isaiah 24:23, in a similar way to what is described in Revelation 21:1-4, where God dwells with His people.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's character and His relationship with those who rebel against Him?
- How does the image of being 'confined to a dungeon' affect your understanding of the consequences of sin?
- In what ways can you apply the warning of this verse to your own life, and what steps can you take to ensure you are not among those who will face God's judgment?
- How does the promise of God's future reign on Mount Zion give you hope and comfort in the face of the judgment described in this verse?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 24:22
And they shall be gathered together,.... First to the battle of the great day of God Almighty at Armageddon, Revelation 16:14 and there being overcome and taken, they shall be gathered together [as]
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 24:22
And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 24:22
They shall be gathered together, by God’ s special providence, in order to their punishment, as the following words show. And thus the unbelieving Jews were generally gathered together at Jerusalem, to their solemn feast, when Titus came and besieged, and after some time took and destroyed them; which was a very remarkable hand of God, as Josephus and other historians observed. And I know nothing to the contrary but this very thing may be meant in this place, it being confessed that divers passages of this chapter concern the times of the Messiah. Shall be shut up in the prison; as malefactors, which are taken in several places, are usually brought to one common prison, where they are reserved in order to their trial and punishment. Shall they be visited; either, 1. In judgment, as visiting is oft used. So the sense is, After they have been punished with long imprisonment, and tormented with expectation and fear, they shall be brought forth to receive condign punishment. Or rather, 2. In mercy. And so the sense may be either, 1.
After the Jews shall have suffered many and grievous things from the Assyrians, Chaldeans, Persians, and others, at last their Messiah and Deliverer shall come into the world, he. Or, 2. After the unbelieving and apostate Jews shall have been shut up in unbelief and in great tribulations for many ages together, they shall be convinced of their sin in crucifying their Messiah, and brought home to God and Christ by true repentance.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 24:22
Isaiah 24:22 And they shall be gathered together, [as] prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.Ver. 22. And they shall be gathered together, &c.] Id quod de poenis Iudaeorum intelligimus, saith an interpreter - that is, This we understand to be the punishment of the obstinate Jews, whose bodies after death were clapped up close prisoners in the grave, their souls held fast in hell till the last day; when after many days they shall be visited, i.e., in the whole man punished with eternal torments. Caveamus, si sapimus, a destinata peccandi malitia. Origen was certainly out when he argued from his text, that the damned in hell should after a time be visited, that is, delivered. There are that begin the promise at these words, And after many days shall they be visited,] i.e., In mercy and favour through Christ. This gracious visitation began in Israel, and then came abroad to the Gentiles also.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 24:22
(22) As prisoners are gathered in the pit . . .—The imagery is drawn from the deep underground dungeons of Eastern prisons (Jeremiah 38:6), which are here the symbol of the abyss of Hades, in which the rebel powers of earth and heaven await the final judgment (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6). After many days shall they be visited.—The verb is the same as that translated “punish” in the previous verse, but does not in itself involve the idea of punishing, and in some of its forms is used of visiting in mercy. Interpreters have, according to their previous bias, assigned this or that meaning to it. Probably the prophet used it in a neutral sense, drawing his imagery from the custom of Eastern kings, who, after leaving their enemies in prison for an appointed time, came to inspect them, and to award punishment or pardon according to their deserts. In such a company there might be “prisoners of hope” (Zechariah 9:12), waiting with eager expectation for the coming of the king. The passage is interesting in the history of Christian doctrine, as having furnished to Origen and his followers an argument in favour of the ultimate restitution of all created spirits.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 24:22
22. after many days shall they be visited] See Judges 6, “reserved in everlasting chains, under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day” (cf. 2 Peter 2:4); and the following passages from the book of Enoch (ch. 18:14, 16). “This … place … serves as a prison for the stars of heaven and the host of heaven … And he was wroth with them and bound them unto the time when their guilt should be complete in the year of the secret.” (See also Enoch Isaiah 21:6.) It is true that the verb “visited” may bear a favourable sense, and many commentators prefer that sense here. But this is opposed both to the tenor of the passage and the analogy of eschatological representations.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 24:22
And they shall be gathered together - That is, those who occupy posts of honor and influence in the ecclesiastical and civil polity of the land.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 24:22
21-23. In these verses the view is also apocalyptic, but the visitation is of punishment to the host of the high ones… on high. Rather more than possibly, this means, fallen angels, acting as guardians to evil powers on earth.
Sermons on Isaiah 24:22
| Sermon | Description |
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The Blood of Jesus Christ
by Al Whittinghill
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In this sermon, the speaker begins by talking about the joy and love that children have for lambs. He then transitions to the story of the first Passover in the Bible, where the Is |
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Progress of Redemption #07
by David Shirley
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In this sermon, the preacher discusses the Edenic covenant and the relationship between God and man. The preacher emphasizes that God requires man to rule for Him and that God dete |
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Prison Houses
by David Wilkerson
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In this sermon, the preacher shares a powerful story of a man named Bob who was tormented by a demonic spirit for four years. The preacher and Bob took authority over the demons in |
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When Deliverance Looks Like Old Rotten Rags
by Carter Conlon
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In this sermon, the speaker shares personal experiences of witnessing God's miracles and the power of the Holy Spirit breaking down divisions in a community. The speaker encourages |
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(Isaiah) the Glory of the Messiah’s Reign
by David Guzik
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In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of unfairness and exploitation in society. He condemns those who take advantage of the weak and vulnerable, such as the poor, widow |
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The Cause and Cure of Earthquakes
by John Wesley
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John Wesley addresses the terrifying reality of earthquakes as divine judgments from God, emphasizing that they serve as a reminder of human sinfulness and the need for repentance. |
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Ezekiel 36
by Chuck Smith
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Chuck Smith discusses the prophetic significance of Ezekiel 36 in relation to the current Mid-East crisis, emphasizing God's promise to regather His people from among the nations a |