They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.

ISAIAH 26:14KJV
Know the Bible

Isaiah 26:14 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 26:14 mean?

Isaiah 26:14 describes how certain enemies or rulers who once oppressed God's people are now dead and will not return; their memory and influence have been completely wiped out by God's decisive action. The verse emphasizes that these former powers are gone for good, with no hope of revival or remembrance.

In this part of Isaiah, the prophet is speaking to the people of Judah, reflecting on how God has dealt with those who once held power over them. The verse uses strong language to show that these oppressors, called "deceased" and "dead," have been visited and destroyed by God, so thoroughly that even their memory has perished. This is meant to reassure the people that their old enemies will not trouble them again.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 26:14

  • The word "deceased" is רְפָאִים (rĕfā'îm), a term often used for the shades or spirits of the dead, especially those considered powerless in the underworld. This highlights how completely these former rulers have lost all strength and influence.
  • "Memory" is זֵכֶר (zēker), meaning remembrance or legacy. The verse says God has made even their memory perish, stressing that not only are the oppressors gone, but their legacy has been erased.
  • "Destroyed" is שָׁמַד (shāmad), which means to wipe out or annihilate. This word underlines the totality of God's judgment against these enemies.

Why Isaiah 26:14 matters

  • Isaiah 26:14 clears up any idea that the old oppressors might return; it stresses their complete and final removal.
  • The verse emphasizes God's power to not only defeat enemies but to erase their influence and legacy entirely, offering comfort to those who suffered under them.
  • In the wider passage, this verse contrasts the fate of the wicked with the hope and restoration promised to God's people, sharpening the message of deliverance and security.

Where else these words appear

“deceased” Hebrew H7496 · used in 8 verses

  • Job 26:5 Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof.
  • Proverbs 2:18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
  • Proverbs 21:16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

“memory” Hebrew H2143 · used in 23 verses

  • Exodus 3:15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
  • Psalms 9:6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.
  • Psalms 112:6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.

“destroyed” Hebrew H8045 · used in 86 verses

  • Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
  • Deuteronomy 31:3 The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said.
  • Esther 4:8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.