Isaiah 5:20 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 5:20 mean?

Isaiah 5:20 warns against people who deliberately confuse moral boundaries, calling what is evil good and what is good evil, and swapping darkness for light and bitterness for sweetness. The verse pronounces a strong warning ("woe") against those who twist what is right and wrong, making it hard to tell truth from falsehood.

Isaiah, speaking as a prophet to the people of Judah, is addressing a society where moral confusion and corruption have taken hold. The verse uses vivid contrasts—evil/good, darkness/light, bitter/sweet—to show how deeply people can distort values. This warning comes in a larger context where Isaiah lists the wrongs of his generation, showing how turning upside down what is right leads to judgment.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 5:20

• The word "woe" (הוֹי, hoy) is a strong cry of warning or sorrow, often used by prophets to signal serious trouble ahead for those addressed.
• "Evil" (רַע, raʿ) and "good" (טוֹב, tov) are basic Hebrew words for moral wrong and right; their reversal here highlights a complete moral breakdown.
• "Darkness" (חֹשֶׁךְ, ḥoshekh) and "light" (אוֹר, or) are often used in the Hebrew Bible as symbols for ignorance and understanding, or for wickedness and righteousness.
• "Bitter" (מָרוֹר, maror) and "sweet" (מָתוֹק, matoq) are concrete images from daily life, showing how even basic experiences can be twisted when people lose their moral compass.

Why Isaiah 5:20 matters

• Isaiah 5:20 makes clear that moral confusion is not just a mistake but a serious offense that brings consequences, especially when done deliberately.
• The verse emphasizes that God cares about how people define right and wrong, not just about outward actions.
• This warning fits into Isaiah’s broader message about the dangers of abandoning God’s standards, helping readers see the roots of social and spiritual decay in his time.