Old Testament
Isaiah 28:18
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Your covenant with death will be canceled, and your agreement with hell will not stand. When the overwhelming scourge sweeps through, you will be trampled by it.
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And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
What Isaiah 28:18 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God is addressing the people of Israel, warning them about their false sense of security. They have made a 'covenant with death' and an 'agreement with hell,' believing that they can escape judgment and destruction. However, God declares that these agreements will be nullified. When disaster strikes, their false hopes will not protect them; instead, they will face the consequences of their actions. The 'overwhelming scourge' symbolizes impending judgment or calamity that will come upon them, and they will be overwhelmed by it. This passage emphasizes the futility of relying on anything other than God for safety and security. It serves as a reminder that true protection comes from a genuine relationship with God, not from deceptive agreements or false assurances.
How to apply Isaiah 28:18 to your life
This verse encourages us to examine our own lives for any false securities we may rely on, such as material wealth or misguided beliefs. Instead, we should place our trust in God and His promises. True safety comes from a relationship with Him, not from temporary agreements or worldly assurances.
Curated for this public verse page. Isaiah Summary
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Photo: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samantha R. Ciaramitaro, via DVIDS and Wikimedia Commons. License: Public domain in the United States — U.S. federal-government work. Source. Location: Great Ziggurat, Ur Archaeological City (Tell el-Mukayyar), Dhi Qar Governorate, Iraq. Resized for the web.
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The city Abram's family left to travel toward Canaan.
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At a Glance — the Book of Isaiah
- Author
- Isaiah the prophet
- Written
- Around 700 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah and the surrounding nations
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Isaiah 28:18 mean?
Isaiah 28:18 warns the people of Israel about their false sense of security in agreements they believe will protect them from judgment. God declares that these agreements will be nullified, and when disaster strikes, they will face the consequences of their actions.
What is the meaning of 'covenant with death' in Isaiah 28:18?
The 'covenant with death' refers to the false security the people of Israel have in their misguided beliefs and alliances, thinking they can escape God's judgment. It symbolizes their reliance on temporary solutions rather than true faith in God.
What does 'overwhelming scourge' refer to in Isaiah 28:18?
The 'overwhelming scourge' symbolizes impending judgment or calamity that will come upon the people. It represents the consequences they will face for their false hopes and reliance on deceptive agreements.
How can Isaiah 28:18 apply to my life today?
This verse encourages individuals to reflect on any false securities they may depend on, such as wealth or misguided beliefs. It reminds us to place our trust in God and His promises for true protection and safety.
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