New International Versionit will be the same for priest as for people, for the master as for his servant, for the mistress as for her servant, for seller as for buyer, for borrower as for lender, for debtor as for creditor.
New Living TranslationPriests and laypeople, servants and masters, maids and mistresses, buyers and sellers, lenders and borrowers, bankers and debtors—none will be spared.
English Standard VersionAnd it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the slave, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the creditor, so with the debtor.
Berean Standard Biblepeople and priest alike, servant and master, maid and mistress, buyer and seller, lender and borrower, creditor and debtor.
King James BibleAnd it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.
New King James VersionAnd it shall be: As with the people, so with the priest; As with the servant, so with his master; As with the maid, so with her mistress; As with the buyer, so with the seller; As with the lender, so with the borrower; As with the creditor, so with the debtor.
New American Standard BibleAnd the people will be like the priest, the servant like his master, the female servant like her mistress, the buyer like the seller, the lender like the borrower, the creditor like the debtor.
NASB 1995And the people will be like the priest, the servant like his master, the maid like her mistress, the buyer like the seller, the lender like the borrower, the creditor like the debtor.
NASB 1977And the people will be like the priest, the servant like his master, the maid like her mistress, the buyer like the seller, the lender like the borrower, the creditor like the debtor.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd the people will be like the priest, the male slave like his master, the female slave like her mistress, the buyer like the seller, the lender like the borrower, the creditor like the debtor.
Amplified BibleAnd the people will be like the priest, the servant like his master, the maid like her mistress, the buyer like the seller, the lender like the borrower, the creditor like the debtor [as God’s impartial judgment of sin comes on all].
Christian Standard Biblepeople and priest alike, servant and master, female servant and mistress, buyer and seller, lender and borrower, creditor and debtor.
Holman Christian Standard Biblepeople and priest alike, servant and master, female servant and mistress, buyer and seller, lender and borrower, creditor and debtor.
American Standard VersionAnd it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the creditor, so with the debtor; as with the taker of interest, so with the giver of interest to him.
Contemporary English Versionincluding ordinary people and priests, slaves and slave owners, buyers and sellers, lenders and borrowers, the rich and the poor.
English Revised VersionAnd it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThe same will happen to people and priests, male slaves and masters, female slaves and masters, buyers and sellers, lenders and borrowers, debtors and creditors.
Good News TranslationEveryone will meet the same fate--the priests and the people, slaves and masters, buyers and sellers, lenders and borrowers, rich and poor.
International Standard VersionIt will be the same for the lay people as for priests, the same for servants as for their masters, for female servants as for their mistresses, for buyers as for sellers, for lenders as for borrowers, and for creditors as for debtors.
NET BibleEveryone will suffer--the priest as well as the people, the master as well as the servant, the elegant lady as well as the female attendant, the seller as well as the buyer, the borrower as well as the lender, the creditor as well as the debtor.
New Heart English BibleIt will be as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the creditor, so with the debtor; as with the taker of interest, so with the giver of interest.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of interest, so with the giver of interest to him. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblepeople and priest alike, servant and master, maid and mistress, buyer and seller, lender and borrower, creditor and debtor.
World English BibleIt will be as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the creditor, so with the debtor; as with the taker of interest, so with the giver of interest. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd it has been—as a people so a priest, "" As the servant so his master, "" As the maidservant so her mistress, "" As the buyer so the seller, "" As the lender so the borrower, "" As the usurer so he who is lifting [it] on himself.
Young's Literal Translation And it hath been -- as a people so a priest, As the servant so his master, As the maid-servant so her mistress, As the buyer so the seller, As the lender so the borrower, As the usurer so he who is lifting it on himself.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd it was as the people, so the priest; as the servant, so his lord; as the maid, so the mistress; as the buyer, so he selling; as he lending, so the borrower; as be lending on interest, so he exacting interest to him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd it shall be as with the people, so with the priest: and as with the servant, so with his master: as with the handmaid, so with her mistress: as with the buyer, so with the seller: as with the lender, so with the borrower: as with him that calleth for his money, so with him that oweth.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd this shall be: as with the people, so with the priest; and as with the servant, so with his master; as with the handmaid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the creditor, so with the debtor.
New American BiblePeople and priest shall fare alike: servant and master, Maid and mistress, buyer and seller, Lender and borrower, creditor and debtor.
New Revised Standard VersionAnd it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the slave, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the creditor, so with the debtor. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the creditor, so with the debtor.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd the people will be as a Priest, and a Servant as his Master, and a Maid as her Mistress, the buyer as the seller, and the borrower as the lender, and as the creditor him who is indebted to him OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; As with the servant, so with his master; As with the maid, so with her mistress; As with the buyer, so with the seller; As with the lender, so with the borrower; As with the creditor, so with the debtor.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd the people shall be as the priest, and the servant as the lord, and the maid as the mistress; the buyer shall be as the seller, the lender as the borrower, and the debtor as his creditor.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context God's Judgment on the Earth1Behold, the LORD lays waste the earth and leaves it in ruins. He will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants— 2peopleand priest alike,servantand master,maidand mistress,buyerand seller,lenderand borrower,creditorand debtor.3The earth will be utterly laid waste and thoroughly plundered. For the LORD has spoken this word.…
Cross References Revelation 6:15-17Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. / And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. / For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”
James 2:6-7But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? / Are they not the ones who blaspheme the noble name by which you have been called?
Matthew 24:37-39As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. / For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. / And they were oblivious until the flood came and swept them all away. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.
1 Corinthians 7:29-31What I am saying, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; / those who weep, as if they did not; those who are joyful, as if they were not; those who make a purchase, as if they had nothing; / and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
Luke 17:26-30Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man: / People were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. / It was the same in the days of Lot: People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. ...
Revelation 18:11-13And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, because there is no one left to buy their cargo— / cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; of fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; of all kinds of citron wood and every article of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; / of cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; of wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; of cattle, sheep, horses, and carriages; of bodies and souls of slaves.
1 Peter 4:17-18For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? / And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
Matthew 20:16So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
Romans 2:6-11God “will repay each one according to his deeds.” / To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. / But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger. ...
Galatians 3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Jeremiah 25:29-31For behold, I am beginning to bring disaster on the city that bears My Name, so how could you possibly go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for I am calling down a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, declares the LORD of Hosts.’ / So you are to prophesy all these words against them and say to them: ‘The LORD will roar from on high; He will raise His voice from His holy habitation. He will roar loudly over His pasture; like those who tread the grapes, He will call out with a shout against all the inhabitants of the earth. / The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth because the LORD brings a charge against the nations. He brings judgment on all mankind and puts the wicked to the sword,’” declares the LORD.
Ezekiel 7:12-13The time has come; the day has arrived. Let the buyer not rejoice and the seller not mourn, for wrath is upon the whole multitude. / The seller will surely not recover what he sold while both remain alive. For the vision concerning the whole multitude will not be revoked, and because of their iniquity, not one of them will preserve his life.
Zephaniah 1:18Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the Day of the LORD’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy.” For indeed, He will make a sudden end of all who dwell on the earth.
Amos 8:3“In that day,” declares the Lord GOD, “the songs of the temple will turn to wailing. Many will be the corpses, strewn in silence everywhere!”
Hosea 4:9And it shall be like people, like priest. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
Treasury of Scripture And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him. as with the people Isaiah 2:9 And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not. Isaiah 3:2-8 The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient, … Isaiah 5:15 And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled: priest. Jump to Previous BorrowerBuyerCreditorDebtorGiverGivesGoodsInterestItLenderMaidMaid-ServantMasterMistressMoneyOfferingOthersOwnerPricePriestPropertySellerServantSlaveTakerUseUsuryWoman-ServantJump to Next BorrowerBuyerCreditorDebtorGiverGivesGoodsInterestItLenderMaidMaid-ServantMasterMistressMoneyOfferingOthersOwnerPricePriestPropertySellerServantSlaveTakerUseUsuryWoman-ServantIsaiah 24 1.The doleful judgments of God upon the land13.A remnant shall joyfully praise him16.God in his judgments shall advance his kingdompeople and priest alikeThis phrase emphasizes the universality of God's judgment. In ancient Israel, priests held a significant religious role, mediating between God and the people. However, this passage underscores that in the face of divine judgment, social and religious distinctions are irrelevant. This echoes the theme found in Romans 3:23, where all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, highlighting the impartiality of God's justice. servant and master
The relationship between servant and master was a fundamental aspect of ancient Near Eastern society. This phrase indicates that God's judgment will not discriminate based on social status or power dynamics. It reflects the biblical principle that all are equal before God, as seen inGalatians 3:28, where distinctions such as slave or free are nullified in Christ. maid and mistress
Similar to the previous phrase, this highlights the equality of all individuals before God's judgment, regardless of gender or social hierarchy. In the cultural context, maids and mistresses had distinct roles, yet this passage asserts that both are subject to the same divine scrutiny, reinforcing the message of universal accountability. buyer and seller
This phrase addresses economic transactions, a vital part of daily life in ancient times. It suggests that economic status or activity will not exempt anyone from God's judgment. This can be connected toJames 5:1-6, where the misuse of wealth and exploitation of others are condemned, emphasizing that material wealth does not influence one's standing before God. lender and borrower
In biblical times, lending and borrowing were common practices, often leading to complex social and economic relationships. This phrase indicates that financial dealings will not shield individuals from divine judgment. It aligns with the teachings inProverbs 22:7, where the borrower is servant to the lender, yet both are ultimately accountable to God. creditor and debtor
This final phrase in the verse continues the theme of economic relationships, highlighting that both those who give credit and those who owe are equally subject to God's judgment. It reflects the biblical principle of justice and fairness, as seen inDeuteronomy 15:1-2, where the law of debt release is established, pointing to God's concern for equity and compassion. Persons / Places / Events 1. People and PriestRepresents the general populace and religious leaders, indicating that divine judgment is impartial. 2. Servant and MasterSymbolizes social hierarchies, emphasizing that all social statuses are subject to God's judgment. 3. Maid and MistressHighlights gender roles and domestic relationships, showing that God's judgment transcends these distinctions. 4. Buyer and SellerReflects economic transactions, suggesting that commerce and trade will not escape divine scrutiny. 5. Lender and Borrower, Creditor and DebtorPoints to financial relationships, indicating that financial status offers no protection from God's judgment. Teaching Points Impartiality of God's JudgmentGod's judgment is not influenced by human status or roles. This should encourage us to live righteously, knowing that God sees beyond our earthly positions. Equality Before GodIn God's eyes, all people are equal. This should inspire us to treat others with fairness and respect, regardless of their social or economic status. Accountability in RelationshipsWhether in religious, social, or economic relationships, we are accountable to God. This should motivate us to conduct ourselves with integrity in all our dealings. The Futility of Earthly StatusEarthly status and possessions are temporary and hold no weight in God's eternal judgment. This should lead us to prioritize spiritual wealth over material wealth. Preparation for JudgmentKnowing that God's judgment is comprehensive and impartial, we should prepare by aligning our lives with His will and seeking His righteousness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Isaiah 24:2?
2.How does Isaiah 24:2 illustrate God's impartiality in judgment?
3.What societal roles are mentioned in Isaiah 24:2, and why are they significant?
4.How can Isaiah 24:2 guide us in treating others equally today?
5.Compare Isaiah 24:2 with Romans 2:11 on God's impartiality. What similarities exist?
6.How should Isaiah 24:2 influence our understanding of justice in our communities?
7.How does Isaiah 24:2 reflect the theme of divine judgment and equality before God?
8.What historical context influenced the writing of Isaiah 24:2?
9.How does Isaiah 24:2 challenge social hierarchies and societal norms?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 24?
11.What is the International House of Prayer?
12.1 Peter 2:24: Does 'by his wounds you have been healed' imply guaranteed physical healing, and how do we account for illnesses that remain unhealed?
13.How do we reconcile the prophecy of a 'star out of Jacob' in Numbers 24:17 with the lack of historical or astronomical evidence for such an event?
14.How does Isaiah 25:6, which speaks of a universal feast for all peoples, align with other Old Testament passages emphasizing Israel's exclusivity?What Does Isaiah 24:2 Mean people and priest alike“People and priest alike” (Isaiah 24:2) tells us that when God brings judgment, religious status offers no shelter. • Priests stood at the spiritual center of national life (Leviticus 21:10). Yet Isaiah shows their titles cannot shield them (Jeremiah 25:34). • God’s impartiality is consistent throughout Scripture. He “shows no favoritism” (Acts 10:34) and judges “from the greatest to the least” (2 Chronicles 36:16). • The New Testament echoes this warning: those who teach are held to stricter judgment (James 3:1), and even elders are disciplined if they persist in sin (1 Timothy 5:19-21). Isaiah 24 presses the point that everyone, clergy included, must personally reckon with the Holy One of Israel.
servant and master“It will be the same for the servant as for his master.” • Earthly hierarchies dissolve when the Lord moves in justice (Job 31:13-15). The servant who normally answers to the master now faces the same divine verdict. • Jesus underscores the theme: the faithful or unfaithful servant is judged by the Lord of the household (Luke 12:42-48). • Masters are warned to treat servants justly “because you also have a Master in heaven” (Colossians 4:1). Isaiah flips the usual order: both stand side-by-side under God’s gaze.
maid and mistress“the maid as for her mistress” • Even in the domestic realm, God’s judgment is not selective. Household rank—maid versus mistress—carries no weight before Him (Galatians 3:28). • Hagar and Sarah illustrate that God sees both slave girl and free woman (Genesis 16:13; 21:12-13). Isaiah’s prophecy widens that principle to the entire earth in a day of devastation.
buyer and seller“the buyer as for the seller” • Commerce cannot buy deliverance. Amos had already condemned dishonest scales (Amos 8:4-7); Isaiah warns that even honest trade offers no exemption. • Jesus drives money changers from the temple (Matthew 21:12-13), showing that economic roles bow to spiritual realities. • Revelation portrays merchants weeping over Babylon’s fall (Revelation 18:11). Isaiah’s language previews that cry: buyers and sellers lose their marketplace together.
lender and borrower“the lender as for the borrower” • Credit arrangements may shape earthly influence, yet both parties share one Creator who “owns the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10). • Proverbs cautions that “the borrower is slave to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7), but Isaiah announces a moment when both lender and borrower are equally powerless. • This anticipates the Year of Jubilee ideal—debts canceled, land returned (Leviticus 25:10)—but here the cancellation comes through sweeping judgment, not a festival.
creditor and debtor“the creditor as for the debtor” • Isaiah doubles the financial image, reinforcing that monetary status is meaningless before divine wrath (Ezekiel 7:19). • Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23-35) shows that owing or being owed cannot compare with the debt every soul owes to God. • Revelation again resonates: kings, commanders, rich, poor all hide in caves crying, “Fall on us” (Revelation 6:15-17). The vocabulary differs; the reality is identical.
summaryIsaiah 24:2 stacks six paired relationships to paint one unmistakable picture: when the Lord unleashes final, earth-shaking judgment, no human distinction—religious office, social rank, gender role, economic power—offers refuge. Every person stands on level ground before the righteous Judge. The prophecy calls us to flee not to status, wealth, or influence, but to the only safe place: humble repentance and wholehearted trust in the Lord who both judges sin and, through Christ, freely justifies all who believe. (2) It shall be, as with the people . . .--In the apparently general classification there is, perhaps, in the last two clauses a trace of the prophet's indignation at the growing tendency of the people to the luxury which led to debt, and to the avarice which traded on the debtor's necessities. Israel, it would seem, was already on the way to become a nation of money lenders. Verse 2. - It shall be, as with the people, so with the priest, etc. There shall be "no respect of persons" - no favor shown to men of any particular rank or station. All shall suffer equally. The author is obliged to take as examples distinctions of rank known to him; but he carefully selects such as are of almost universal occurrence. There was scarcely any nation of antiquity in which there were not "priests and people," "masters and slaves," "buyers and sellers," "lenders and borrowers," "takers and givers of usury." By "usury" is meant, not exorbitant interest, but interest simply, of whatever amount.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew peopleכָעָם֙(ḵā·‘ām)Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flockand priest alike,כַּכֹּהֵ֔ן(kak·kō·hên)Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548:Priestservantכַּעֶ֙בֶד֙(ka·‘e·ḇeḏ)Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5650:Slave, servantand master,כַּֽאדֹנָ֔יו(ka·ḏō·nāw)Preposition-k | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 113:Sovereign, controllermaidכַּשִּׁפְחָ֖ה(kaš·šip̄·ḥāh)Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8198:Maid, maidservantand mistress,כַּגְּבִרְתָּ֑הּ(kag·gə·ḇir·tāh)Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1404:Lady, queen, mistressbuyerכַּקּוֹנֶה֙(kaq·qō·w·neh)Preposition-k, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7069:To erect, create, to procure, by purchase, to ownand seller,כַּמּוֹכֵ֔ר(kam·mō·w·ḵêr)Preposition-k, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 4376:To selllenderכַּמַּלְוֶה֙(kam·mal·weh)Preposition-k, Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3867:To twine, to unite, to remain, to borrow, to lendand borrower,כַּלֹּוֶ֔ה(kal·lō·weh)Preposition-k, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3867:To twine, to unite, to remain, to borrow, to lendcreditorנֹשֶׁ֥א(nō·še)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5378:To lend on interest, to dun for, debtand debtor.בֽוֹ׃(ḇōw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew
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OT Prophets: Isaiah 24:2 It will be as with the people (Isa Isi Is) |
