Old Testament
Isaiah 32:11
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Tremble, you women who are at ease; shudder, you carefree ones! Strip off your clothes, bare yourselves, and wrap sackcloth around your waists.
Compare translations
Tremble, ye women that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless ones: strip you, and make you bare, and gird sackcloth upon your loins.
What Isaiah 32:11 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Isaiah 32:11, the prophet calls out to women who are living comfortably and without concern for the impending judgment. The message is one of urgency and warning, urging them to recognize the seriousness of their situation. The imagery of stripping off clothes and wearing sackcloth symbolizes mourning and repentance. Sackcloth was a traditional sign of grief and humility in ancient times. This verse highlights the need for self-reflection and awareness of one's spiritual state, especially in times of crisis. The carefree attitude of the women represents a broader societal complacency that ignores the consequences of sin and the need for genuine repentance. The call to tremble and shudder serves as a wake-up call to those who are oblivious to the coming challenges and the need for a change of heart.
How to apply Isaiah 32:11 to your life
This verse encourages us to examine our own lives for areas of complacency. We should not take our spiritual state for granted but instead remain vigilant and responsive to God's call for repentance. Embracing humility and recognizing our need for God can lead to deeper spiritual growth.
Curated for this public verse page. Isaiah Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Ruth's story: Three Widows (Ruth 1:1–5)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Ruth
Photo: Zeev Stein / PikiWiki Israel, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 2.5. Source. Location: Tel Beer Sheva National Park, Israel. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Beersheba
Where Abraham and Isaac dug wells and worshiped the LORD, at the southern edge of the land.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Isaiah 32:11
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Isaiah 32:11
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
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 32:11 mean?
Isaiah 32:11 serves as a warning to women who are living comfortably and ignoring the impending judgment. It calls for a recognition of their spiritual state and urges them to respond with mourning and repentance.
What is the significance of sackcloth in Isaiah 32:11?
Sackcloth in Isaiah 32:11 symbolizes mourning and humility. It was traditionally worn as a sign of grief and repentance, indicating a need for self-reflection and a serious response to one's spiritual condition.
How does Isaiah 32:11 relate to spiritual awareness?
Isaiah 32:11 highlights the importance of being spiritually aware and responsive to God's call. It encourages individuals to examine their lives and recognize the need for genuine repentance.
What themes are present in Isaiah 32:11?
The themes in Isaiah 32:11 include judgment, complacency, repentance, urgency, and spiritual awareness. These themes reflect the call for individuals to take their spiritual state seriously and respond appropriately.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.