Isaiah 5:14
New International Version
Therefore Death expands its jaws, opening wide its mouth; into it will descend their nobles and masses with all their brawlers and revelers.

New Living Translation
The grave is licking its lips in anticipation, opening its mouth wide. The great and the lowly and all the drunken mob will be swallowed up.

English Standard Version
Therefore Sheol has enlarged its appetite and opened its mouth beyond measure, and the nobility of Jerusalem and her multitude will go down, her revelers and he who exults in her.

Berean Standard Bible
Therefore Sheol enlarges its throat and opens wide its enormous jaws, and down go Zion’s nobles and masses, her revelers and carousers!

King James Bible
Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

New King James Version
Therefore Sheol has enlarged itself And opened its mouth beyond measure; Their glory and their multitude and their pomp, And he who is jubilant, shall descend into it.

New American Standard Bible
Therefore Sheol has enlarged its throat and opened its mouth beyond measure; And Jerusalem’s splendor, her multitude, her noise of revelry, and the jubilant within her, descend into it.

NASB 1995
Therefore Sheol has enlarged its throat and opened its mouth without measure; And Jerusalem’s splendor, her multitude, her din of revelry and the jubilant within her, descend into it.

NASB 1977
Therefore Sheol has enlarged its throat and opened its mouth without measure; And Jerusalem’s splendor, her multitude, her din of revelry, and the jubilant within her, descend into it.

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore Sheol has enlarged its throat and opened its mouth without limit; And Jerusalem’s majesty, her multitude, her rumbling, and the exultant within her, descend into it.

Amplified Bible
Therefore Sheol (the realm of the dead) has increased its appetite and opened its mouth beyond measure; And Jerusalem’s splendor, her multitude, her [boisterous] uproar and her [drunken] revelers descend into it.

Christian Standard Bible
Therefore Sheol enlarges its throat and opens wide its enormous jaws, and down go Zion’s dignitaries, her masses, her crowds, and those who celebrate in her!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore Sheol enlarges its throat and opens wide its enormous jaws, and down go Zion’s dignitaries, her masses, her crowds, and those who carouse in her!

American Standard Version
Therefore Sheol hath enlarged its desire, and opened its mouth without measure; and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth among them, descend into it.

Contemporary English Version
The world of the dead has opened its mouth wide and is eagerly waiting for the leaders of Jerusalem and for its noisy crowds, especially for those who take pride in that city.

English Revised Version
Therefore hell hath enlarged her desire, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth among them, descend into it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
That is why the grave's appetite increases. It opens its mouth very wide so that honored people and common people will go down into it. Those who are noisy and joyous will go down into it.

Good News Translation
The world of the dead is hungry for them, and it opens its mouth wide. It gulps down the nobles of Jerusalem along with the noisy crowd of common people.

International Standard Version
Therefore Sheol's appetite has grown; it has opened its mouth beyond limit. Jerusalem's nobility and her multitudes will go there, along with her brawlers and whoever is reveling within her.

Majority Standard Bible
Therefore Sheol enlarges its throat and opens wide its enormous jaws, and down go Zion?s nobles and masses, her revelers and carousers!

NET Bible
So Death will open up its throat, and open wide its mouth; Zion's dignitaries and masses will descend into it, including those who revel and celebrate within her.

New Heart English Bible
Therefore Sheol has enlarged its desire, and opened its mouth without measure; and their glory, their multitude, their pomp, and he who rejoices among them, descend into it.

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

World English Bible
Therefore Sheol has enlarged its desire, and opened its mouth without measure; and their glory, their multitude, their pomp, and he who rejoices among them, descend into it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Therefore Sheol has enlarged herself, "" And has opened her mouth without limit. And its honor has gone down, and its multitude, "" And its noise, and its exulting one—into her.

Young's Literal Translation
Therefore hath Sheol enlarged herself, And hath opened her mouth without limit. And gone down hath its honour, and its multitude, And its noise, and its exulting one -- into her.

Smith's Literal Translation
For this, hades enlarged her soul, and opened wide her mouth without bound: and her honor shall go down, and her multitude, and her tumult, and he rejoicing, into her.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore hath hell enlarged her soul, and opened her mouth without any bounds, and their strong ones, and their people, and their high and glorious ones shall go down into it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For this reason, Hell has expanded its soul, and has opened its mouth without any limits. And their strong ones, and their people, and their exalted and glorious ones will descend into it.

New American Bible
Therefore Sheol enlarges its throat and opens its mouth beyond measure; Down into it go nobility and masses, tumult and revelry.

New Revised Standard Version
Therefore Sheol has enlarged its appetite and opened its mouth beyond measure; the nobility of Jerusalem and her multitude go down, her throng and all who exult in her.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore Sheol has enlarged itself, and opened its mouth without measure: and the glorious men, the honorable men, and the mighty men shall descend into it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because of this, Sheol has enlarged herself and opened her mouth wide without limit; the glorious and the honored and the mighty shall go down to her
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Therefore the nether-world hath enlarged her desire, And opened her mouth without measure; And down goeth their glory, and their tumult, and their uproar, And he that rejoiceth among them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Therefore hell has enlarged its desire and opened its mouth without ceasing: and her glorious and great, and her rich and her pestilent men shall go down into it.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Woes to the Wicked
13Therefore My people will go into exile for their lack of understanding; their dignitaries are starving and their masses are parched with thirst. 14Therefore Sheol enlarges its throat and opens wide its enormous jaws, and down go Zion’s nobles and masses, her revelers and carousers! 15So mankind will be brought low, and each man humbled; the arrogant will lower their eyes.…

Cross References
Proverbs 27:20
Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Habakkuk 2:5
and wealth indeed betrays him. He is an arrogant man never at rest. He enlarges his appetite like Sheol, and like Death, he is never satisfied. He gathers all the nations to himself and collects all the peoples as his own.

Numbers 16:30-33
But if the LORD brings about something unprecedented, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them and all that belongs to them so that they go down alive into Sheol, then you will know that these men have treated the LORD with contempt.” / As soon as Moses had finished saying all this, the ground beneath them split open, / and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households—all Korah’s men and all their possessions. ...

Ezekiel 32:18-32
“Son of man, wail for the multitudes of Egypt, and consign her and the daughters of the mighty nations to the depths of the earth with those who descend to the Pit: / Whom do you surpass in beauty? Go down and be placed with the uncircumcised! / They will fall among those slain by the sword. The sword is appointed! Let them drag her away along with all her multitudes. ...

Revelation 20:13-14
The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds. / Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire.

Psalm 9:17
The wicked will return to Sheol—all the nations who forget God.

Matthew 11:23
And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.

Luke 16:23
In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side.

Revelation 6:8
Then I looked and saw a pale green horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed close behind. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth.

Job 7:9
As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so he who goes down to Sheol does not come back up.

Proverbs 1:12
let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit.

Revelation 1:18
the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.

Psalm 49:14
Like sheep they are destined for Sheol. Death will be their shepherd. The upright will rule them in the morning, and their form will decay in Sheol, far from their lofty abode.

Matthew 23:33
You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell?

Ezekiel 31:16
I made the nations quake at the sound of its downfall, when I cast it down to Sheol with those who descend to the Pit. Then all the trees of Eden, the choicest and best of Lebanon, all the well-watered trees, were consoled in the earth below.


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore hell has enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoices, shall descend into it.

hell

Isaiah 14:9
Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.

Isaiah 30:33
For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.

Psalm 49:14
Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.

opened

Numbers 16:30-34
But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD…

Proverbs 1:12
Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

he that rejoiceth

Isaiah 21:4
My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.

1 Samuel 25:36-38
And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light…

2 Samuel 13:28,29
Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant…

Jump to Previous
Appetite Brawlers Cause Descend Desire Din Enlarge Enlarged Enlarges Exults Feasters Glory Grave Hell Herself Jerusalem Jerusalem's Jubilant Limit Masses Measure Mouth Multitude Nether-World Nobility Nobles Noise Open Opened Opening Opens Pomp Rejoices Rejoiceth Revelers Revelry Sheol Splendor Throat Throng Tumult Underworld Uproar Wide Within
Jump to Next
Appetite Brawlers Cause Descend Desire Din Enlarge Enlarged Enlarges Exults Feasters Glory Grave Hell Herself Jerusalem Jerusalem's Jubilant Limit Masses Measure Mouth Multitude Nether-World Nobility Nobles Noise Open Opened Opening Opens Pomp Rejoices Rejoiceth Revelers Revelry Sheol Splendor Throat Throng Tumult Underworld Uproar Wide Within
Isaiah 5
1. Under the parable of a vineyard, God excuses his severe judgment
8. His judgments upon covetousness
11. Upon lasciviousness
13. Upon impiety
20. And upon injustice
26. The executioners of God's judgments














Therefore Sheol enlarges its throat
The term "Sheol" in Hebrew refers to the realm of the dead, often depicted as a place of darkness and silence. In the context of Isaiah, Sheol's "enlarging" suggests an increase in the number of those who will face judgment and death due to their sins. This imagery emphasizes the consequences of Israel's disobedience and moral decay. The concept of Sheol is echoed in other scriptures, such as Psalm 9:17 and Proverbs 27:20, where it is portrayed as insatiable.

and opens wide its enormous jaws
The imagery of Sheol's "enormous jaws" conveys a sense of impending doom and the inevitability of divine judgment. This metaphor highlights the seriousness of God's wrath against sin. The depiction of Sheol as a devouring entity is consistent with other biblical passages, such as Habakkuk 2:5, where death is described as never satisfied.

and down go Zion’s nobles and masses
"Zion" refers to Jerusalem, the spiritual and political center of Israel. The mention of "nobles and masses" indicates that both the leaders and the common people are subject to judgment. This reflects the comprehensive nature of God's justice, as seen in other prophetic writings like Jeremiah 25:29, where judgment begins with God's own people.

her revelers and carousers!
The "revelers and carousers" symbolize those indulging in excessive and immoral behavior, often associated with idolatry and neglect of God's commandments. This phrase underscores the moral corruption prevalent in society, which is a recurring theme in the prophetic books. Similar warnings against such behavior are found in Amos 6:4-7 and Isaiah 22:12-14, where indulgence leads to downfall.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Sheol
In Hebrew thought, Sheol is the realm of the dead, a place of darkness and silence. It is often depicted as a place that eagerly consumes those who have turned away from God.

2. Zion
A term often used to refer to Jerusalem or the people of Israel. In this context, it represents the community that has fallen into sin and is facing judgment.

3. Nobles and Masses
These are the leaders and the general population of Zion, indicating that both the influential and the common people are subject to judgment.

4. Revelers and Carousers
These terms describe those who indulge in excessive partying and moral decay, highlighting the sinful behavior that leads to judgment.

5. Isaiah
The prophet who delivers God's message of warning and judgment to the people of Israel, calling them to repentance.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Sin
Isaiah 5:14 serves as a stark reminder that sin leads to spiritual death and separation from God. It is crucial to recognize the seriousness of sin and its consequences.

The Call to Repentance
The imagery of Sheol's open jaws is a call to repentance. God desires that we turn away from sin and seek His forgiveness and grace.

Leadership and Accountability
The mention of Zion's nobles highlights the responsibility of leaders to guide their people in righteousness. Leaders are accountable for their influence and must lead by example.

The Dangers of Excess
The revelers and carousers represent a lifestyle of excess and moral decay. Christians are called to live lives of moderation and holiness, avoiding the pitfalls of indulgence.

Hope in Redemption
While Isaiah 5:14 speaks of judgment, it also points to the hope of redemption through Christ, who conquers death and offers eternal life to those who believe.(14) Therefore hell hath enlarged herself.--The Hebrew Sheol, or Hades, like "hell" itself in its original meaning, expressed not a place of torment, but the vast shadow ? world of death, thought of as being below the earth (Psalm 16:10; Psalm 49:14). Here, as elsewhere (Jonah 2:2; Proverbs 1:12; Proverbs 30:16), it is half-personified, as Hades and Death are in Revelation 6:8; Revelation 20:13-14. In that unseen world there were, in the later belief of Judaism, the two regions of Gehenna and of Eden or Paradise. What the prophet says is that all the pomp and glory of the rich oppressors are on their way to that inevitable doom. The word for "glory" (as in 1Samuel 4:22) is the same as that for "honourable men" in Isaiah 5:13, so that the original has all the emphasis of repetition. . . . Verse 14. - Therefore hell hath enlarged herself; rather, hath enlarged her desire (comp. Habakkuk 2:5). "Hell" here represents the underworld, into which souls descended at death, not yet perhaps recognized as comprehending two divisions, but regarded much as the Greeks regarded their Hades - as a general receptacle of the dead, dark and silent. Hades (Sheol), not viewed as a person, but personified by poetical license, "enlarges her desire" and "opens her mouth" to receive the crowd that is approaching the crowd of those who in captivity succumb to the hardships of their lot. Their glory; literally, her glory - the glory, i.e., of Jerusalem, which is especially in the prophet's thoughts. "Her glory, and her crowd, and her pomp, and he that is joyful in her, shall go down" into the sheol that gapes for them.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Therefore
לָכֵ֗ן (lā·ḵên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

Sheol
שְּׁאוֹל֙ (šə·’ō·wl)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 7585: Underworld (place to which people descend at death)

enlarges
הִרְחִ֤יבָה (hir·ḥî·ḇāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7337: To be or grow wide or large

its throat
נַפְשָׁ֔הּ (nap̄·šāh)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

and opens
וּפָעֲרָ֥ה (ū·p̄ā·‘ă·rāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6473: To open wide (the mouth)

wide its enormous
לִבְלִי־ (liḇ·lî-)
Preposition-l | Adverb
Strong's 1097: Failure, nothing, destruction, without, not yet, because not, as long as

jaws,
פִ֖יהָ (p̄î·hā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

and down go
וְיָרַ֨ד (wə·yā·raḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

[Zion’s] nobles
הֲדָרָ֧הּ (hă·ḏā·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1926: Magnificence, ornament, splendor

[and] masses,
וַהֲמוֹנָ֛הּ (wa·hă·mō·w·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1995: A noise, tumult, crowd, disquietude, wealth

her jubilant
וּשְׁאוֹנָ֖הּ (ū·šə·’ō·w·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7588: A roar (of waters, etcetera), din, crash, uproar

and carousers!
וְעָלֵ֥ז (wə·‘ā·lêz)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5938: Exultant, jubilant


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 5:14 Therefore Sheol has enlarged its desire (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 5:13
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