Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.

ISAIAH 5:13KJV
Know the Bible

Isaiah 5:13 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 5:13 mean?

Isaiah 5:13 says that the people of Israel have been taken away into captivity because they lack knowledge, and as a result, even their respected leaders are left hungry and the larger population is left thirsty. The verse links the people's suffering and exile directly to their ignorance or lack of understanding.

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah, warning them about the consequences of turning away from God’s teachings. The historical setting is a time when the nation was facing judgment because they ignored wisdom and guidance, leading to national disaster. Isaiah highlights that not just the common people, but even the honored leaders are suffering, showing that no one is spared from the results of neglecting true knowledge.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 5:13

  • "people" (עָם, ʿam): This word refers to the nation or group as a whole, emphasizing that the entire community is affected, not just a few individuals.
  • "captivity" (גָּלָה, galah): This word means to be exiled or carried away, often by force. It underlines that the consequence is not just hardship but being uprooted from their land.
  • "knowledge" (דַּעַת, daʿat): This word means understanding or insight, often with a moral or spiritual sense. The lack of "daʿat" shows that their downfall is not from ignorance of facts, but from ignoring what is right and wise.
  • "honourable" (כָּבוֹד, kavod): This word means glory or respect, often used for leaders or those of high status. The verse points out that even those with "kavod" are not protected from the consequences.
  • "famished" (רָעֵב, raʿev): This word means to be hungry or starved, showing the depth of deprivation affecting even the elite.
  • "multitude" (הָמוֹן, hamon): This word refers to the masses or crowds, stressing that the suffering is widespread.
  • "thirst" (צָמֵא, tsame): This word means to be parched or desperately in need of water, symbolizing the people's deep unmet needs.

Why Isaiah 5:13 matters

  • Isaiah 5:13 clarifies that the root cause of Israel’s suffering is not just military defeat or bad luck, but a spiritual and moral ignorance—a lack of "knowledge" that leads to real, physical consequences.
  • The verse emphasizes that social status or honor does not shield anyone from the effects of turning away from wisdom; both leaders and common people are affected.
  • In the wider context of Isaiah 5, this verse is part of a warning about the dangers of rejecting God’s guidance, making clear that neglecting what is right brings about not only spiritual loss but also national and personal disaster.

Where else these words appear

“thirst” Hebrew H6772 · used in 17 verses

  • Exodus 17:3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
  • Nehemiah 9:20 Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.
  • Jeremiah 48:18 Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds.

“men” Hebrew H4962 · used in 21 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 33:6 Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.
  • Job 31:31 If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.

“multitude” Hebrew H1995 · used in 78 verses

  • Genesis 17:4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
  • Psalms 37:16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
  • Ezekiel 7:14 They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready; but none goeth to the battle: for my wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.

“famished” Hebrew H7458 · used in 88 verses

  • Genesis 12:10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
  • 2 Kings 25:3 And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.
  • Jeremiah 32:24 Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.