Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

ISAIAH 1:5KJV
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Isaiah 1:5 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 1:5 mean?

Isaiah 1:5 describes how the people of Judah are suffering because of their ongoing rebellion against God, yet they continue to turn away from Him instead of changing. The verse uses the image of a sick head and a faint heart to show that their whole society is deeply affected and weakened by their choices.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the nation of Judah, warning them that their persistent disobedience has led to judgment and suffering. The question "Why should ye be stricken any more?" suggests that further punishment would be pointless because they do not respond to correction. The verse paints a picture of a people who are spiritually and morally unwell, with both their leadership ("head") and inner life ("heart") in a state of decline.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 1:5

  • "stricken" (נָכָה, nakah): This word means to strike or to hit, often with the sense of punishment. Here, it highlights that God’s discipline has already come upon the people, but it has not led to repentance.
  • "revolt" (סָרָה, sarah): This word means to rebel or turn away. It emphasizes the stubbornness of the people in continuing their disobedience, despite suffering.
  • "head" (רֹאשׁ, rosh) and "heart" (לֵבָב, levav): These words represent the whole person or community—"head" often stands for leaders or decision-making, while "heart" points to the inner life and will. The verse uses them together to show that the sickness affects every part of the nation.

Why Isaiah 1:5 matters

  • Isaiah 1:5 shows that repeated discipline without change leads to deeper problems, highlighting the seriousness of persistent rebellion.
  • The verse connects physical imagery (sickness) to spiritual and moral realities, helping readers see the full impact of turning away from God.
  • This verse sets up the rest of Isaiah’s message, showing why God’s people need healing and restoration, not just more punishment.

Where else these words appear

“faint” Hebrew H1742 · used in 3 verses

  • Jeremiah 8:18 When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me.
  • Lamentations 1:22 Let all their wickedness come before thee; and do unto them, as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions: for my sighs are many, and my heart is faint.

“revolt” Hebrew H5627 · used in 8 verses

  • Deuteronomy 13:5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.
  • Isaiah 14:6 He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.
  • Isaiah 59:13 In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.

“sick” Hebrew H2483 · used in 22 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:15 And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.
  • 2 Kings 13:14 Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.
  • Ecclesiastes 6:2 A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.