Isaiah 6:12 Meaning and Explanation
“And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Lord will disperse the people far from their land, leaving it abandoned and desolate.
The Context of Isaiah 6:12
National exile and depopulation follow the people's persistent rejection of God's word.
What Does Isaiah 6:12 Mean?
This verse elaborates the desolation: men are 'removed far away'—exiled, scattered, taken into captivity—and the land itself is forsaken. The word 'forsaking' suggests both the physical abandonment of inhabited places and a spiritual abandonment by the Lord as judgment. The land, once filled with people and their activities, becomes empty.
The exile that Isaiah prophesies will fulfill this word centuries later when Babylon conquers Judah and carries the people into captivity. The land becomes depopulated, its cities in ruins. This judgment is not merely temporary humiliation but a profound rupture in the covenant relationship—the people removed from the land God gave them, the land emptied of those who were meant to dwell and steward it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 6:12
What does Isaiah 6:12 mean?
The Lord will disperse the people far from their land, leaving it abandoned and desolate.
What is the context of Isaiah 6:12?
National exile and depopulation follow the people's persistent rejection of God's word.