Isaiah 24:23 Meaning and Explanation
“Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The moon and sun will pale when the Lord of hosts reigns gloriously on Zion before the elders.
The Context of Isaiah 24:23
Vision concludes with God's glorious reign and the eclipsing of created light by divine glory.
What Does Isaiah 24:23 Mean?
The shaming of celestial bodies—moon and sun—signals the establishment of God's glory as supreme. These heavenly lights, symbols of order and constancy, fade before the radiance of God's direct reign. The imagery suggests that all created authority yields to God.
The scene shifts from devastation to restoration: God reigns on Zion and Jerusalem 'gloriously' (בִּכְבוֹד, bikbōd), before the assembled ancients (זְקֵנִים, zeqēnim). This elder council witnesses the transition from judgment to redemptive reign, closing the vision with the triumph of God's kingdom.
Isaiah 24:23 in the Original Language
gloriously (בִּכְבוֹד) — bikbōd; from kavod, 'glory,' 'splendor,' 'weight'; often signals God's manifest presence and majesty.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 24:23
What does Isaiah 24:23 mean?
The moon and sun will pale when the Lord of hosts reigns gloriously on Zion before the elders.
What is the context of Isaiah 24:23?
Vision concludes with God's glorious reign and the eclipsing of created light by divine glory.