Isaiah 5:18 Meaning and Explanation
“Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The third woe condemns those who deliberately pursue sin as if hauling it with ropes and carts.
The Context of Isaiah 5:18
Third woe: against those who deliberately pursue and accumulate sin.
What Does Isaiah 5:18 Mean?
The image shifts to active, deliberate sin-seeking. 'Draw iniquity with cords of vanity' suggests a deliberate, methodical approach—sin pursued with the same effort one puts to hauling cargo. This is not accidental transgression but calculated choice.
The escalation from cords to cart rope emphasizes the burden they heap upon themselves. The metaphor inverts responsibility: they are not victims of sin but its willing servants, binding themselves to it. This hardness of will courts judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 5:18
What does Isaiah 5:18 mean?
The third woe condemns those who deliberately pursue sin as if hauling it with ropes and carts.
What is the context of Isaiah 5:18?
Third woe: against those who deliberately pursue and accumulate sin.