Isaiah 24:17

God’s Judgment on the Earth · Isaiah 24:1–23
Read Isaiah 24

Translations

Modern
Terror and pit and snare await you, O dweller of the earth.
Traditional
Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.
Literal
Terror and pit and snare are upon you, O dweller of the earth.
Latin
Formido, et fovea, et laqueus super te, qui habitator es terræ.

Original

Hebrew
English
Terror and pit and snare await you, O dweller of the earth.

Notes

Here, the judgments described in Isaiah 13–23 apply to all of creation.

This section is often called the Little Apocalypse. It is given this name because it has similarities to the book of Revelation.

In these chapters, Isaiah moves from his present time into a vision of the future. The language is broad and universal. Because of this, it is difficult to connect the events to one specific historical situation.

These chapters are not meant to provide a detailed timeline of future events. They are not a historical blueprint. Instead, Isaiah uses vivid images to describe a dramatic future world that is both similar to and different from the present.

The vision includes elements of both the old age and the new age. For example, the people of Zion are described as righteous (new), yet they still wait for their full redemption (old). This pattern fits with the New Testament teaching that the future age has already begun but has not yet fully arrived (2 Corinthians 4:4; Galatians 1:4).

Peter wrote that believers were already living in the last days (1 Peter 1:12; 2 Peter 3:3). At the same time, he said that the final day of the Lord is still future (2 Peter 3:10). These passages show that the present age and the future age overlap.

Events

Glossary

Hunting Isaiah, Book of

Topics

Wicked (People): Punishment of