Isaiah 1:5 Meaning and Explanation
“Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God questions why Israel continues to invite punishment when they only respond to it by rebelling further, describing a complete spiritual sickness.
The Context of Isaiah 1:5
Description of Israel's futile cycle of punishment and continued rebellion.
What Does Isaiah 1:5 Mean?
The rhetorical question 'Why should ye be stricken any more?' implies that Israel has already experienced divine correction yet has refused to respond with repentance. Instead of turning from their ways, they 'revolt more and more,' suggesting an entrenched pattern of resistance that deepens with each divine intervention. This creates a cycle where correction breeds further rebellion.
The metaphor of sickness—the head and heart both affected—portrays Israel's condition as systemic and complete. When both the seat of thought and the seat of will are sick, recovery becomes possible only through radical change. The image conveys not momentary illness but deep, pervasive spiritual debility.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 1:5
What does Isaiah 1:5 mean?
God questions why Israel continues to invite punishment when they only respond to it by rebelling further, describing a complete spiritual sickness.
What is the context of Isaiah 1:5?
Description of Israel's futile cycle of punishment and continued rebellion.