Translations
Modern
Woe to you, O destroyer never destroyed, O traitor never betrayed! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed. When you have finished betraying, you will be betrayed.
Traditional
Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.
Literal
Woe, O destroyer, even you never destroyed, and you treacherous one, and they have never betrayed him! At the completion of your destroying, you will be destroyed; as you finish being treacherous, they will deal treacherously with you.
Latin
Væ qui prædaris! nonne et ipse prædaberis? et qui spernis, nonne et ipse sperneris? Cum consummaveris deprædationem, deprædaberis; cum fatigatus desieris contemnere, contemneris.
Original
Hebrew
English
Woe to you, O destroyer never destroyed, O traitor never betrayed! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed. When you have finished betraying, you will be betrayed.
Notes
This was the sixth warning of woe (see study note on Isaiah 28:1–33:24).
Although the Hebrew text does not specifically name Assyria as the object of the prophecy in this chapter, Isaiah likely referred to Assyria. They were the destroyer closest at the time the prophecy was written. The prophecy applies to anyone who tries to destroy God's people, including the Babylonians (see Isaiah 13–14).
When you have finished betraying: Wicked nations often break political agreements when these deals no longer benefit them.
Theme notes and profiles
Events
- Prophecies of Isaiahc. 759 BC
Glossary
Topics
Isaiah: Prophecies, Reproofs Retaliation: General Scriptures Concerning Rulers: Wicked