Isaiah 5:20

Translations

Modern

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.

Traditional

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Literal

Woe to those saying to evil “Good,” and to good “Evil,” putting darkness for light and light for darkness, putting bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

Latin

Væ qui dicitis malum bonum, et bonum malum; ponentes tenebras lucem, et lucem tenebras; ponentes amarum in dulce, et dulce in amarum!

Original

Hebrew

English

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.

Notes

Isaiah 5:20

Woe: The fourth threat of judgment was against a lack of integrity.
evil good … darkness to light … sweet with bitter: This distorted view of life corrupts God's holy order.

Isaiah 5:8–23

This section contains six pronouncements of sorrow. They are six warnings of dreadful judgment (Isaiah 5:8, 11, 18, 20, 21, 22). These sorrows highlight some of the "sour grapes" produced by the vineyard of Israel (5:1–7).

Isaiah 5:1–30

The prophet delivered judgment through a song (Isaiah 5:1–7) and prophecies of sorrow (5:8–30). Although Israel's future will be pure and in fellowship with God (Isaiah 4:2–6), it must address the current sinful state of the people and their leaders.

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah Darkness and Light Salvation in Isaiah

Events

Prophecies of Isaiahc. 759 BC

Related verses

Proverbs 17:15
Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.
2 Timothy 3:1–5
But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come.
Luke 16:15
So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.
Malachi 2:17
You have wearied the LORD with your words; yet you ask, “How have we wearied Him?” By saying, “All who do evil are good in the sight of the LORD, and in them He delights,” or, “Where is the God of justice?”
Job 17:12
They have turned night into day, making light seem near in the face of darkness.
Matthew 6:22–23
The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.
Amos 5:7
There are those who turn justice into wormwood and cast righteousness to the ground.
2 Peter 2:18–19
With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error.
2 Peter 2:1
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Luke 11:34–35
Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body is full of darkness.
Malachi 3:15
So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’”
Matthew 15:3–6
Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?

Glossary

Coins Curse, Cursed Darkness Evil Isaiah, Book of Strong Drink

Topics

Abortion Backsliders: Backsliding of Israel Blindness: Spiritual Calling the Bad Good Christian Minister: False and Corrupt Depravity Evil in the World Exploitation Good Halloween Isaiah: Prophecies, Reproofs, and Exhortations of Denounces Existing Corruptions Paganism Presumption: General Scriptures Concerning Right and Wrong Secret Societies Selfish People Those Who Hurt Children Wicked (People): Described

Isaiah 5:20

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