Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.

ISAIAH 42:24KJV
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Isaiah 42:24 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 42:24 mean?

Isaiah 42:24 presents Israel’s loss to its enemies as something the LORD allowed because the people had sinned against him. The verse answers its own question: the defeat was not outside the LORD’s control, and the people’s refusal to follow his instruction mattered.

“Jacob” and “Israel” are two names for the same people. The picture of robbers taking spoil portrays them as helpless before those who seize their possessions. The speaker says “we have sinned,” placing himself among the people, then says “they” when describing their conduct.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 42:24

  • “walk” — הָלַךְ (halakh): The word means to walk or go. Here, “walk in his ways” pictures the people’s conduct as a path they chose not to follow.
  • “obedient” — שָׁמַע (shamaʿ): The word often means to hear or listen. In this verse, listening includes responding to what the LORD instructed.
  • “law” — תּוֹרָה (torah): The word can mean instruction or teaching. It points to what the LORD had taught the people, not merely to a list of penalties.

Why Isaiah 42:24 matters

  • The question asks who gave Israel over, and the answer names “the LORD.” The verse directs attention beyond the robbers to the one who allowed them to prevail.
  • The verse describes a refusal, not simply a mistake. “They would not walk in his ways” presents the people’s conduct as unwillingness to follow the LORD’s direction.
  • The surrounding passage gives the question a purpose. After verse 23 asks who will listen and pay attention, verse 24 identifies the reason for the people’s trouble.

Where else these words appear

“spoil” Hebrew H4933 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Kings 21:14 And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies;
  • Isaiah 42:22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.
  • Habakkuk 2:7 Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?

“whom” Hebrew H2098 · used in 15 verses

  • Exodus 15:13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
  • Psalms 12:7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
  • Psalms 68:28 Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.

“robbers” Hebrew H962 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 34:27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.
  • 2 Kings 7:16 And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.
  • Isaiah 33:23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.

“would” Hebrew H14 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 24:5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
  • 1 Samuel 22:17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
  • 1 Chronicles 10:4 Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.