And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.

ISAIAH 5:30KJV
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Isaiah 5:30 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 5:30 mean?

Isaiah 5:30 describes a time of overwhelming trouble, using the image of enemies roaring like the sea and the land being covered in darkness and sorrow, with even the light in the sky seeming to fade. The verse paints a picture of deep distress and hopelessness, where looking for relief brings only gloom.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah, warning them about the coming judgment because of their unfaithfulness. The language of roaring seas and darkened skies emphasizes how unstoppable and frightening the invading forces will be, leaving the land in a state of fear and despair.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 5:30

  • "Roar" (שָׁאָה, sha'ah) and "roaring" (שְׁאָוָה, she'avah): Both words are used to describe the loud, overwhelming sound of the enemy, compared to the crashing of the sea. This highlights the unstoppable and frightening nature of what is coming.
  • "Darkness" (חֹשֶׁךְ, choshekh) and "sorrow" (מְצוּקָה, metzukah): These words show that what people will see in the land is not just physical darkness, but also emotional distress and trouble.
  • "Light" (אוֹר, or) and "darkened" (חָשַׁךְ, chashakh): The verse says even the "light" in the sky will be "darkened," stressing that hope and clarity will be lost, not just on earth but even in the heavens above.

Why Isaiah 5:30 matters

  • Isaiah 5:30 clears up that the coming judgment is not just a military defeat but a total upheaval, affecting every part of life, including the natural world.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing the seriousness of ignoring God's warnings; the darkness and roaring are the result of persistent unfaithfulness.
  • The vivid imagery helps readers feel the weight of the situation, making clear that this is not a minor setback but a time of deep crisis for the people.

Where else these words appear

“roaring” Hebrew H5100 · used in 2 verses

  • Psalms 38:8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.

“roar” Hebrew H5098 · used in 5 verses

  • Proverbs 5:11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
  • Proverbs 28:15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
  • Isaiah 5:29 Their roaring shall be like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry it away safe, and none shall deliver it.

“darkened” Hebrew H2821 · used in 18 verses

  • Exodus 10:15 For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt.
  • Psalms 105:28 He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.
  • Lamentations 4:8 Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.

“look” Hebrew H5027 · used in 67 verses

  • Genesis 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
  • Psalms 13:3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
  • Isaiah 38:11 I said, I shall not see the LORD, even the LORD, in the land of the living: I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world.