The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merryhearted do sigh.

ISAIAH 24:7KJV
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Isaiah 24:7 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 24:7 mean?

Isaiah 24:7 describes a scene of sorrow and loss: the new wine mourns, the vine withers, and all those who were once joyful now sigh in sadness. This verse paints a picture of a land stripped of its usual celebrations and abundance, showing how devastation affects both the land and its people.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah, warning them of coming judgment and destruction. In this verse, Isaiah uses the imagery of wine and vines—symbols of joy and prosperity in ancient Israel—to show that even the sources of happiness and festivity will be taken away. The verse is part of a larger passage describing how widespread ruin will bring mourning instead of gladness.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 24:7

  • "New wine" (תִּירוֹשׁ, tirosh) refers to freshly pressed grape juice or young wine, often associated with celebration and blessing. Its "mourning" signals a complete reversal of fortune.
  • "Mourneth" (אָבַל, ’aval) means to lament or grieve deeply. The use of this word for wine is a poetic way to show that even the land’s produce is affected by the disaster.
  • "Vine" (גֶּפֶן, gephen) represents not just the plant but the whole agricultural system that supports life and festivity.
  • "Languisheth" (אֻמְלַל, umlal) means to wither or become weak, emphasizing the loss of vitality and abundance.
  • "Merryhearted" (שָׂמֵחַ לֵב, sameach lev) literally means "joyful of heart," highlighting that even those known for their happiness are now sighing in distress.
  • "Sigh" (נָאַק, na’ak) means to groan or moan, showing a deep, audible sorrow that replaces former joy.

Why Isaiah 24:7 matters

  • Isaiah 24:7 clears up the idea that judgment only affects the wicked; here, even the land and its innocent joys suffer, showing the total impact of devastation.
  • The verse emphasizes how closely tied joy and prosperity were to agriculture in ancient Israel, making the loss of wine and vines a powerful symbol of national grief.
  • This verse connects to the wider chapter, which describes a universal judgment affecting all people, not just Israel, highlighting the seriousness of the coming calamity.

Where else these words appear

“sigh” Hebrew H584 · used in 11 verses

  • Exodus 2:23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
  • Lamentations 1:8 Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; therefore she is removed: all that honoured her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness: yea, she sigheth, and turneth backward.
  • Ezekiel 9:4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

“languisheth” Hebrew H535 · used in 14 verses

  • 1 Samuel 2:5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
  • Isaiah 33:9 The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits.
  • Ezekiel 16:30 How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord GOD, seeing thou doest all these things, the work of an imperious whorish woman;

“merryhearted” Hebrew H8056 · used in 23 verses

  • Deuteronomy 16:15 Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.
  • 2 Chronicles 23:13 And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.
  • Psalms 126:3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

“wine” Hebrew H8492 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 27:28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
  • 2 Chronicles 31:5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
  • Jeremiah 31:12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.