Isaiah 24:4
New International Version
The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers, the heavens languish with the earth.

New Living Translation
The earth mourns and dries up, and the land wastes away and withers. Even the greatest people on earth waste away.

English Standard Version
The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and withers; the highest people of the earth languish.

Berean Standard Bible
The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and fades; the exalted of the earth waste away.

King James Bible
The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.

New King James Version
The earth mourns and fades away, The world languishes and fades away; The haughty people of the earth languish.

New American Standard Bible
The earth dries up and crumbles away, the mainland dries out and crumbles away, the exalted of the people of the earth dwindle.

NASB 1995
The earth mourns and withers, the world fades and withers, the exalted of the people of the earth fade away.

NASB 1977
The earth mourns and withers, the world fades and withers, the exalted of the people of the earth fade away.

Legacy Standard Bible
The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and withers; the exalted of the people of the earth languish.

Amplified Bible
The earth dries up and crumbles away, the world dries out and crumbles away, the exalted of the people of the earth fade away.

Christian Standard Bible
The earth mourns and withers; the world wastes away and withers; the exalted people of the earth waste away.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The earth mourns and withers; the world wastes away and withers; the exalted people of the earth waste away.

American Standard Version
The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the lofty people of the earth do languish.

Contemporary English Version
The earth wilts away; its mighty leaders melt to nothing.

English Revised Version
The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the lofty people of the earth do languish.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The earth dries up and withers. The world wastes away and withers. The great leaders of the earth waste away.

Good News Translation
The earth dries up and withers; the whole world grows weak; both earth and sky decay.

International Standard Version
"The earth dries up and withers; the world languishes and fades away; heaven fades away, along with the earth.

Majority Standard Bible
The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and fades; the exalted of the earth waste away.

NET Bible
The earth dries up and withers, the world shrivels up and withers; the prominent people of the earth fade away.

New Heart English Bible
The earth mourns and fades away. The world languishes and fades away. The lofty people of the earth languish.

Webster's Bible Translation
The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.

World English Bible
The earth mourns and fades away. The world languishes and fades away. The lofty people of the earth languish.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The earth has mourned, faded, "" The world has languished, faded, "" They have languished—the high place of the people of the earth.

Young's Literal Translation
Mourned, faded hath the land, Languished, faded hath the world, Languished have they -- the high place of the people of the land.

Smith's Literal Translation
The earth mourning, fell away: the habitable globe languishing, fell away: the heights of the people of the land languished,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The earth mourned, and faded away, and is weakened: the world faded away, the height of the people of the earth is weakened.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The earth mourned, and slipped away, and languished. The world slipped away; the loftiness of the people of the earth was weakened.

New American Bible
The earth mourns and fades, the world languishes and fades; both heaven and earth languish.

New Revised Standard Version
The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers; the heavens languish together with the earth.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The earth howls and sits in mourning, the world wails and sits in mourning, the haughty people of the earth lament.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Earth howled and sat in mourning! The world howled and sat and mourned! The High One of the Earth howled!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The earth fainteth and fadeth away, The world faileth and fadeth away, The lofty people of the earth do fail.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The earth mourns, and the world is ruined, the lofty ones of the earth are mourning.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Judgment on the Earth
3The earth will be utterly laid waste and thoroughly plundered. For the LORD has spoken this word. 4The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and fades; the exalted of the earth waste away. 5The earth is defiled by its people; they have transgressed the laws; they have overstepped the decrees and broken the everlasting covenant.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 4:28
Therefore the earth will mourn and the heavens above will grow dark. I have spoken, I have planned, and I will not relent or turn back.”

Hosea 4:3
Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea disappear.

Joel 1:10-12
The field is ruined; the land mourns. For the grain is destroyed, the new wine is dried up, and the oil fails. / Be dismayed, O farmers, wail, O vinedressers, over the wheat and barley, because the harvest of the field has perished. / The grapevine is dried up, and the fig tree is withered; the pomegranate, palm, and apple—all the trees of the orchard—are withered. Surely the joy of mankind has dried up.

Zephaniah 1:2-3
“I will completely sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD. / “I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, and the idols with their wicked worshipers. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.

Amos 5:16-17
Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Hosts, the Lord, says: “There will be wailing in all the public squares and cries of ‘Alas! Alas!’ in all the streets. The farmer will be summoned to mourn, and the mourners to wail. / There will be wailing in all the vineyards, for I will pass through your midst,” says the LORD.

Ezekiel 7:15-16
The sword is outside; plague and famine are within. Those in the country will die by the sword, and those in the city will be devoured by famine and plague. / The survivors will escape and live in the mountains, moaning like doves of the valley, each for his own iniquity.

Lamentations 1:4
The roads to Zion mourn, because no one comes to her appointed feasts. All her gates are deserted; her priests groan, her maidens grieve, and she herself is bitter with anguish.

Micah 7:13
Then the earth will become desolate because of its inhabitants, as the fruit of their deeds.

Nahum 1:4
He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.

Romans 8:20-22
For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope / that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. / We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.

Revelation 18:11-17
And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, because there is no one left to buy their cargo— / cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; of fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; of all kinds of citron wood and every article of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; / of cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; of wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; of cattle, sheep, horses, and carriages; of bodies and souls of slaves. ...

Matthew 24:7-8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. / All these are the beginning of birth pains.

Luke 21:25-26
There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves. / Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Mark 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

2 Peter 3:10-13
But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare. / Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness / as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. ...


Treasury of Scripture

The earth mourns and fades away, the world languishes and fades away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.

mourneth

Isaiah 3:26
And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground.

Isaiah 28:1
Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!

Isaiah 33:9
The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits.

haughty people.

Isaiah 2:11,12
The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day…

Jump to Previous
Dries Earth Exalted Fade Faded Fades Fadeth Fail Faileth Fainteth Full Grief Haughty Heavens High Languishes Languisheth Mourned Mourneth Mourns Ones Sorrowing Together Wasting Withers World
Jump to Next
Dries Earth Exalted Fade Faded Fades Fadeth Fail Faileth Fainteth Full Grief Haughty Heavens High Languishes Languisheth Mourned Mourneth Mourns Ones Sorrowing Together Wasting Withers World
Isaiah 24
1. The doleful judgments of God upon the land
13. A remnant shall joyfully praise him
16. God in his judgments shall advance his kingdom














The earth mourns and withers;
This phrase suggests a profound sense of loss and decay affecting the entire planet. In biblical context, the earth often symbolizes the physical creation that suffers due to human sin (Genesis 3:17-19). The mourning and withering can be seen as a result of divine judgment, reflecting the consequences of humanity's rebellion against God. This imagery is consistent with prophetic literature, where the earth's suffering is a response to the moral and spiritual failures of its inhabitants (Jeremiah 4:28). The language evokes the curse of the fall, where creation itself is subjected to futility (Romans 8:20-22).

the world languishes and fades;
The world here refers to the inhabited earth, emphasizing the impact of judgment on human society and civilization. Languishing and fading suggest a gradual decline, indicating a loss of vitality and strength. This can be connected to the prophetic warnings of societal collapse due to persistent sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1:4-7). The fading of the world also points to the transient nature of human achievements and the ultimate futility of relying on worldly power and glory (1 John 2:17). It serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and turning back to God.

the exalted of the earth waste away.
The exalted refers to those in positions of power and influence, such as rulers, leaders, and the wealthy. Their wasting away signifies the leveling effect of divine judgment, where human pride and arrogance are brought low (Isaiah 2:11-12). This reflects the biblical theme that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Historically, this can be seen in the downfall of empires and leaders who defied God's commands. It also foreshadows the ultimate judgment where all will stand before God, and earthly status will hold no value (Revelation 20:12). This phrase underscores the futility of trusting in human strength and the need for humility before God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Isaiah
The prophet who authored the book, delivering messages from God to the people of Judah and Jerusalem, often concerning judgment and redemption.

2. The Earth
Represents the physical world and its inhabitants, highlighting the universal scope of the prophecy.

3. The World
A broader term that encompasses all nations and peoples, indicating that the prophecy is not limited to Israel but affects all humanity.

4. The Exalted of the Earth
Refers to those in positions of power and influence, who are not immune to the consequences of sin and judgment.

5. Judgment
The event described in this chapter, where God’s righteous judgment is poured out on the earth due to widespread sin and rebellion.
Teaching Points
The Universality of Sin's Consequences
Sin affects not only individuals but the entire creation. The earth's mourning and withering are a direct result of humanity's rebellion against God.

The Temporary Nature of Earthly Power
The "exalted of the earth" will waste away, reminding us that earthly power and status are fleeting and cannot save us from God's judgment.

The Call to Repentance
Recognizing the reality of judgment should lead us to repentance and a renewed commitment to live according to God's will.

Hope in God's Redemption
While Isaiah 24 speaks of judgment, it also points us to the hope of redemption and restoration found in Christ, who will ultimately renew all things.

Living with an Eternal Perspective
Understanding the temporary nature of this world should encourage us to focus on eternal values and invest in our relationship with God.(4) The haughty people of the earth.--Literally, the heights, or, to use an English term with a like history, "the highnesses of the people."

Verse 4. - The earth... fadeth away. As a flower that fades and withers up (comp. Isaiah 1:30; Isaiah 28:1, 4; Isaiah 34:4, etc.; Psalm 1:3; Psalm 37:2). The world. Tabel has never any narrower sense than the entire "world," and must be regarded as fixing the meaning of arets in passages where (as here) the two are used as synonymous. The haughty people; or, the high ones. All the great are brought down, and laid low, that "the Lord alone may be exalted in that day" (cf. Isaiah 2:11-17).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The earth
הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

mourns
אָבְלָ֤ה (’ā·ḇə·lāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 56: To bewail

and withers;
נָֽבְלָה֙ (nā·ḇə·lāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5034: To wilt, to fall away, fail, faint, to be foolish, wicked, to despise, disgrace

the world
תֵּבֵ֑ל (tê·ḇêl)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8398: The earth, the globe, its inhabitants, a particular land

languishes
אֻמְלְלָ֥ה (’um·lə·lāh)
Verb - Pual - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 535: To droop, to be sick, to mourn

and fades;
נָבְלָ֖ה (nā·ḇə·lāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5034: To wilt, to fall away, fail, faint, to be foolish, wicked, to despise, disgrace

the exalted
מְר֥וֹם (mə·rō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4791: Altitude

of the earth
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

waste away.
אֻמְלָ֖לוּ (’um·lā·lū)
Verb - Pual - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 535: To droop, to be sick, to mourn


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 24:4 The earth mourns and fades away (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 24:3
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