Isaiah 24:16 Meaning and Explanation
“From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Songs of praise echo from the earth's ends, yet the prophet grieves, noting that treachery continues among the survivors.
The Context of Isaiah 24:16
Tension between surviving remnant's praise and the prophet's lament over human treachery.
What Does Isaiah 24:16 Mean?
The first part reports hearing songs of glory to the righteous from distant lands. But the prophet's voice interrupts this with personal lament—'my leanness' (רַזִּי, razī)—expressing a grief that coexists with the praising remnant.
The repetition of 'treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously' emphasizes that even judgment does not cure human faithlessness. Some survive, yet treachery persists among them, suggesting that judgment alone does not transform the human heart.
Isaiah 24:16 in the Original Language
leanness (רַזִּי) — razī; from raz, 'to be thin' or 'lean'; metaphor for weakness, loss, and spiritual exhaustion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 24:16
What does Isaiah 24:16 mean?
Songs of praise echo from the earth's ends, yet the prophet grieves, noting that treachery continues among the survivors.
What is the context of Isaiah 24:16?
Tension between surviving remnant's praise and the prophet's lament over human treachery.