And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.

ISAIAH 24:2KJV
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Isaiah 24:2 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 24:2 mean?

Isaiah 24:2 says that when judgment comes, it will affect everyone in society equally—no matter their role, status, or wealth. The verse lists pairs of people from all walks of life to show that no one will be spared or treated differently when this disaster happens.

In this part of Isaiah, the prophet is describing a coming time of great upheaval and judgment on the land, speaking to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. Isaiah uses familiar social roles—like priest and people, servant and master, buyer and seller—to make it clear that the coming hardship will not discriminate based on position or privilege. The verse emphasizes the total and sweeping nature of what is about to happen.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 24:2

  • "People" (עָם, ʿam, H5971) and "priest" (כֹּהֵן, kohen, H3548): By pairing these words, Isaiah shows that religious status offers no protection; both ordinary people and spiritual leaders are equally affected.
  • "Servant" (עֶבֶד, ʿeved, H5650) and "master" (אָדוֹן, adon, H113): This pairing highlights that social hierarchy will not shield anyone; both those with power and those without will face the same fate.
  • "Buyer" (קָנָה, qanah, H7069) and "seller" (מָכַר, makar, H4376): Economic roles are also included, showing that wealth or business dealings do not provide security in this judgment.
  • "Lender" and "borrower" (לָוָה, lavah, H3867): The same Hebrew word is used for both, underlining that both sides of financial transactions are equally vulnerable.

Why Isaiah 24:2 matters

  • Isaiah 24:2 clears up the idea that disaster or divine judgment only falls on certain groups; it insists that everyone, regardless of status or occupation, is included.
  • The verse emphasizes the totality of the coming judgment, which is a key theme in Isaiah 24, setting the stage for the rest of the chapter’s warnings.
  • By listing familiar pairs, Isaiah makes the warning personal and relatable, helping listeners understand that no one can claim exemption or special treatment.

Where else these words appear

“usury” Hebrew H5378 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Samuel 22:2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
  • Nehemiah 5:7 Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.
  • Psalms 89:22 The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.

“mistress” Hebrew H1404 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 16:4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
  • Genesis 16:9 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
  • Proverbs 30:23 For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

“usury” Hebrew H5383 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 22:25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
  • Deuteronomy 24:11 Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto thee.
  • Nehemiah 5:11 Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.

“lender” Hebrew H3867 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 29:34 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.
  • Esther 9:27 The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;
  • Ecclesiastes 8:15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.