Isaiah 66:24 Meaning and Explanation
“And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The redeemed will witness the irreversible judgment on those who transgressed, with their destruction eternally enduring.
The Context of Isaiah 66:24
The redeemed will witness the eternal judgment on the unrepentant transgressor.
What Does Isaiah 66:24 Mean?
Isaiah's final verse returns to the fate of the rebellious. The redeemed will go out and look upon the carcases of those who transgressed against God—they will see the final consequence of rebellion. The imagery is stark: worm and fire that do not cease. This is not torment with the possibility of escape but a state that continues, unending and complete. The carcasses become an abhorring (object of revulsion and horror) to all flesh.
This final vision is not gratuitous. It shows that in God's eternal order, there are real and lasting consequences for persistent rebellion. The fact that the redeemed witness this is significant: they see that God's justice is real, that rebellion against God has real outcomes, and that the universe under God's rule is fundamentally just. The vision closes with the assurance that evil is not merely punished for a season but permanently excluded from God's renewed creation.
Isaiah 66:24 in the Original Language
transgressed (עָבַר, avar) — to pass over or go beyond, meaning to cross God's boundary or violate His command.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 66:24
What does Isaiah 66:24 mean?
The redeemed will witness the irreversible judgment on those who transgressed, with their destruction eternally enduring.
What is the context of Isaiah 66:24?
The redeemed will witness the eternal judgment on the unrepentant transgressor.