Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version You boast, “We have entered into a covenant with death, with the realm of the dead we have made an agreement. When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by, it cannot touch us, for we have made a lie our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.” New Living Translation You boast, “We have struck a bargain to cheat death and have made a deal to dodge the grave. The coming destruction can never touch us, for we have built a strong refuge made of lies and deception.” English Standard Version Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have an agreement, when the overwhelming whip passes through it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have taken shelter”; Berean Standard Bible For you said, “We have made a covenant with death; we have fashioned an agreement with Sheol. When the overwhelming scourge passes through it will not touch us, because we have made lies our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.” Berean Literal Bible For you⁺ have said, “We have cut a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have made an agreement. The overflowing scourge, when it passes over, it will not come to us, for we have made falsehood our refuge, and in deception we have hidden ourselves.” King James Bible Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: New King James Version Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we are in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, It will not come to us, For we have made lies our refuge, And under falsehood we have hidden ourselves.” New American Standard Bible Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we have made a pact. The gushing flood will not reach us when it passes by, Because we have made falsehood our refuge and we have concealed ourselves with deception.” NASB 1995 Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we have made a pact. The overwhelming scourge will not reach us when it passes by, For we have made falsehood our refuge and we have concealed ourselves with deception.” NASB 1977 Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we have made a pact. The overwhelming scourge will not reach us when it passes by, For we have made falsehood our refuge and we have concealed ourselves with deception.” Legacy Standard Bible Because you have said, “We have cut a covenant with death, And with Sheol we have made a pact. The overflowing scourge will not reach us when it passes by, For we have made falsehood our refuge and we have hidden ourselves with lying.” Amplified Bible Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol (the place of the dead) we have made an agreement, When the overwhelming scourge passes by, it will not reach us, For we have made lies our refuge and we have concealed ourselves in deception.” Berean Annotated Bible For you⁺ said, “We have made a covenant with death; we have fashioned an agreement with Sheol. When the overwhelming scourge passes through it will not touch us, because we have made lies our refuge and falsehood (false gods) our hiding place. Christian Standard Bible For you said, “We have made a covenant with Death, and we have an agreement with Sheol; when the overwhelming catastrophe passes through, it will not touch us, because we have made falsehood our refuge and have hidden behind treachery.” Holman Christian Standard Bible For you said, “We have cut a deal with Death, and we have made an agreement with Sheol; when the overwhelming scourge passes through, it will not touch us, because we have made falsehood our refuge and have hidden behind treachery.” American Standard Version Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us; for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: Contemporary English Version Do you think you have an agreement with death and the world of the dead? Why do you trust in your lies to keep you safe from danger and the mighty flood? English Revised Version Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us; for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: GOD'S WORD® Translation You say, "We made a treaty with death and an agreement with the grave. When the overwhelming disaster passes by, it won't matter to us, because we have taken refuge in our lies, and falsehood is our hiding place." Good News Translation You boast that you have made a treaty with death and reached an agreement with the world of the dead. You are certain that disaster will spare you when it comes, because you depend on lies and deceit to keep you safe. International Standard Version Because you said: 'We have entered into a covenant with death, and we have an agreement with Sheol, so when the overwhelming scourge makes its choice, it cannot reach us, since we have made lies our refuge and have concealed ourselves inside falsehood' NET Bible For you say, "We have made a treaty with death, with Sheol we have made an agreement. When the overwhelming judgment sweeps by it will not reach us. For we have made a lie our refuge, we have hidden ourselves in a deceitful word." New Heart English Bible "Because you have said, 'We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol are we in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, it won't come to us; for we have made lies our refuge, and we have hidden ourselves under falsehood.'" Webster's Bible Translation Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we in agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not reach us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFor you said, “We have made a covenant with death; we have fashioned an agreement with Sheol. When the overwhelming scourge passes through it will not touch us, because we have made lies our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.” World English Bible “Because you have said, ‘We have made a covenant with death, and we are in agreement with Sheol. When the overflowing scourge passes through, it won’t come to us; for we have made lies our refuge, and we have hidden ourselves under falsehood.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBecause you have said: “We have made a covenant with death, "" And we have made a provision with Sheol, "" An overflowing scourge, when it passes over, "" Does not meet us, "" Though we have made a lie our refuge, "" And have been hidden in falsehood.” Berean Literal Bible For you⁺ have said, “We have cut a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have made an agreement. The overflowing scourge, when it passes over, it will not come to us, for we have made falsehood our refuge, and in deception we have hidden ourselves.” Young's Literal Translation Because ye have said: 'We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we have made a provision, An overflowing scourge, when it passeth over, Doth not meet us, Though we have made a lie our refuge, And in falsehood have been hidden.' Smith's Literal Translation Because ye said, We cut out a covenant with death, and with hades we did this; when this overflowing scourge passed through it shall not come to us, for we set falsehood our refuge, and in a lie we hid ourselves. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor you have said : We have entered into a league with death, and we have made a covenant with hell. When the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come upon us: for we have placed our hope in lies, and by falsehood we are protected. Catholic Public Domain Version For you have said: “We struck a deal with death, and we formed a pact with Hell. When the inundating scourge passes through, it will not overwhelm us. For we have placed our hope in lies, and we are protected by what is false.” New American Bible You have declared, “We have made a covenant with death, with Sheol we have made a pact; When the raging flood passes through, it will not reach us; For we have made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have found a hiding place,”— New Revised Standard Version Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have an agreement; when the overwhelming scourge passes through it will not come to us; for we have made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have taken shelter”; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBecause you have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have made an agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come to us; for we have placed our hope in lies, and under falsehood we have hid ourselves; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Because you have said: “We have covenanted a covenant with death and with Sheol we have made a bond. When an overwhelming scourge shall pass through, it will not come upon us, because we have put our trust in lies and we have taken refuge in lying!" OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Because ye have said: 'We have made a covenant with death, And with the nether-world are we at agreement; When the scouring scourge shall pass through, It shall not come unto us; For we have made lies our refuge, And in falsehood have we hid ourselves'; Brenton Septuagint Translation Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with Hades, and agreements with death; if the rushing storm should pass, it shall not come upon us: we have made falsehood our hope, and by falsehood shall we be protected: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context A Cornerstone in Zion14Therefore hear the word of the LORD, O scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem. 15For you said, “We have made a covenant with death; we have fashioned an agreement with Sheol. When the overwhelming scourge passes through it will not touch us, because we have made lies our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.” 16So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.… Cross References For you said, “We have made a covenant with death; Hosea 13:14 I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from Death. Where, O Death, are your plagues? Where, O Sheol, is your sting? Compassion is hidden from My eyes. Psalm 49:14-15 Like sheep they are destined for Sheol. Death will be their shepherd. The upright will rule them in the morning, and their form will decay in Sheol, far from their lofty abode. / But God will redeem my life from Sheol, for He will surely take me to Himself. Selah Hebrews 2:14-15 Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, / and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. we have fashioned an agreement with Sheol. Amos 9:2 Though they dig down to Sheol, from there My hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, from there I will pull them down. Revelation 1:18 the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades. Psalm 139:8 If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. When the overwhelming scourge passes through it will not touch us, Exodus 12:13 The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a sign; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. Ezekiel 9:4-6 “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem,” said the LORD, “and put a mark on the foreheads of the men sighing and groaning over all the abominations committed there.” / And as I listened, He said to the others, “Follow him through the city and start killing; do not show pity or spare anyone! / Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple. Psalm 91:5-7 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, / nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the calamity that destroys at noon. / Though a thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, no harm will come near you. because we have made lies our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.” Jeremiah 7:8-11 But look, you keep trusting in deceptive words to no avail. / Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, / and then come and stand before Me in this house, which bears My Name, and say, ‘We are delivered, so we can continue with all these abominations’? … Ezekiel 13:10-16 Because they have led My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and whitewashing any flimsy wall that is built, / tell those whitewashing the wall that it will fall. Rain will come in torrents, I will send hailstones plunging down, and a windstorm will burst forth. / Surely when the wall has fallen, you will not be asked, ‘Where is the whitewash with which you covered it?’ … Isaiah 30:12-13 Therefore this is what the Holy One of Israel says: “Because you have rejected this message, trusting in oppression and relying on deceit, / this iniquity of yours is like a breach about to fail, a bulge in a high wall, whose collapse will come suddenly—in an instant! Isaiah 28:18 Your covenant with death will be dissolved, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand. When the overwhelming scourge passes through, you will be trampled by it. Isaiah 8:12-15 “Do not call conspiracy everything these people regard as conspiracy. Do not fear what they fear; do not live in dread. / The LORD of Hosts is the One you shall regard as holy. Only He should be feared; only He should be dreaded. / And He will be a sanctuary—but to both houses of Israel a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, to the dwellers of Jerusalem a trap and a snare. … Isaiah 30:1-3 “Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. / They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade. / But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace. Isaiah 5:18-19 Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of deceit and pull sin along with cart ropes, / to those who say, “Let Him hurry and hasten His work so that we may see it! Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come so that we may know it!” Treasury of Scripture Because you have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing whip shall pass through, it shall not come to us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: we have. Isaiah 5:18,19 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: … Ecclesiastes 8:8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. Job 5:23 For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee. when Isaiah 8:7,8 Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks: … Daniel 11:22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant. we have made Isaiah 30:10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Jeremiah 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? Jeremiah 14:13 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place. Jump to Previous Agreement Covenant Death Falsehood Hell Hid Hidden Lies Nether-World Ourselves Overflowing Overwhelming Pact Passes Reach Refuge Scourge Scouring Sheol Won'tJump to Next Agreement Covenant Death Falsehood Hell Hid Hidden Lies Nether-World Ourselves Overflowing Overwhelming Pact Passes Reach Refuge Scourge Scouring Sheol Won'tIsaiah 28 1. The prophet threatens Ephraim for their pride and drunkenness5. The residue shall be advanced in the kingdom of Christ 7. He rebukes their error 9. Their unwillingness to learn 14. And their security 16. Christ the sure foundation is promised 17. Their security shall be tried 23. They are incited to the consideration of God's providence For you said, “We have made a covenant with death; This phrase reflects the arrogance and false security of the leaders in Jerusalem. In the biblical context, a "covenant with death" symbolizes an agreement or alliance with forces opposed to God, often seen as a reliance on foreign powers or idolatrous practices. Historically, this could refer to political alliances with nations like Egypt or Assyria, which were seen as unfaithful to God's covenant with Israel. Theologically, it represents a spiritual rebellion against God's authority. we have fashioned an agreement with Sheol. When the overwhelming scourge passes through it will not touch us, because we have made lies our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.” Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book and is delivering God's message to the people of Judah. 2. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, which is the primary audience of Isaiah's prophecies. They are being warned about their false sense of security. 3. Covenant with Death A metaphorical agreement that the leaders of Judah believe will protect them from impending disaster, symbolizing their misplaced trust. 4. Sheol In Hebrew thought, Sheol is the realm of the dead. The leaders' agreement with Sheol signifies their reliance on false security. 5. Overwhelming Scourge Represents the impending judgment or disaster that will come upon Judah, which they believe they can avoid through deceit. Teaching Points False SecurityTrusting in anything other than God for security is ultimately futile. The leaders of Judah believed they could avoid disaster through deceit, but this only led to their downfall. The Danger of Deception Lies and falsehoods may provide temporary comfort, but they cannot withstand the trials and judgments of life. True refuge is found in truth and integrity. God's True Foundation Isaiah contrasts the false security of Judah with the promise of a sure foundation in God. Believers are called to build their lives on the solid rock of God's truth. Repentance and Realignment This passage calls for self-examination and repentance. Believers should assess where they might be relying on false securities and realign their trust in God. Eternal Perspective The covenant with death and Sheol highlights the importance of an eternal perspective. Our choices should reflect trust in God's eternal promises rather than temporary solutions. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 28:15?2. How does Isaiah 28:15 warn against making false covenants for security? 3. What parallels exist between Isaiah 28:15 and modern-day false assurances? 4. How can believers avoid the "covenant with death" mentioned in Isaiah 28:15? 5. What scriptural connections highlight the consequences of rejecting God's truth in Isaiah 28:15? 6. How can Isaiah 28:15 guide us in discerning truth from deception today? 7. What does Isaiah 28:15 mean by "covenant with death" and "agreement with Sheol"? 8. How does Isaiah 28:15 challenge the belief in human-made security? 9. What historical context led to the message in Isaiah 28:15? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 28? 11. Will the covenant with death be annulled? 12. What does being Christ's ambassador entail? 13. Does God communicate with people through visions today? 14. If Psalm 49:15 promises redemption from Sheol, what historical or archaeological evidence supports the Israelite belief in a personal resurrection at that time? What Does Isaiah 28:15 Mean For you said“ For you said, …” (Isaiah 28:15) • God Himself recites the leaders’ own words, showing He hears every boast (Psalm 94:9). • Their speech reveals hearts already hardened (Matthew 12:34). • The Lord will hold them accountable for every idle word (Matthew 12:36), underscoring the seriousness of what follows. We have made a covenant with death • Judah’s officials believed political alliances—with Egypt or any other earthly power—would secure their future (Isaiah 30:1-3). • Calling this pact a “covenant with death” exposes it as a direct rejection of the covenant of life God offered (Deuteronomy 30:15-19). • Any deal that assumes safety while dismissing God is fellowship with death itself (Proverbs 8:36; 1 Corinthians 15:56). We have fashioned an agreement with Sheol • “Sheol” is the realm of the dead (Psalm 49:14-15). Imagining an understanding with it is delusion. • They treated the forces of destruction as negotiable partners, much like King Ahaz earlier sought Assyria’s help (2 Kings 16:7-9). • Scripture insists no one can bargain with the grave (Job 14:14; Hebrews 9:27). When the overwhelming scourge passes through it will not touch us • “Overwhelming scourge” pictures the Assyrian invasion (Isaiah 8:7-8) and, ultimately, any judgment God sends. • Like those in Noah’s day who ignored the coming flood (Matthew 24:38-39), the leaders assumed calamity would pass them by. • Paul echoes the same false security: “While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction comes on them suddenly” (1 Thessalonians 5:3). Because we have made lies our refuge and falsehood our hiding place • Their confidence rested on deception—political spin, self-assurance, idol promises (Jeremiah 7:4). • Lies may feel like shelter, but they crumble when truth tests them (Psalm 52:7; Matthew 7:26-27). • Jesus identifies the source of all falsehood: “for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44); siding with lies means siding against God. summary Isaiah 28:15 exposes leaders who preferred political maneuvering and self-made security over trusting the Lord. By calling their alliance a “covenant with death,” God unmasks the spiritual reality behind their choice: any refuge apart from Him is a pact with destruction. Judgment will sweep away every lie, but those who rest on the sure cornerstone God sets in Zion (Isaiah 28:16) will stand. (15) We have made a covenant with death . . .--The phrase was a proverbial one. (Comp. Job 5:23; Hosea 2:18.) Cheyne quotes Lucan, ix. 394, Pax illis cum morte data est (They have made peace with death"). "Hell" is the Hebrew Sheol (Hades), the region of the dead. The two are joined together, as in Hosea 13:14; Revelation 20:13-14.When the overflowing scourge . . .--The words probably implied a sneer at the imagery which the prophet had used, painting the Assyrian invasion first as a flood (Isaiah 8:7-8), and then as a scourge (Isaiah 10:24). (Comp, Isaiah 28:2.) The scorners think that their "lies" will give them a refuge from the danger under either form. . . . Verse 15. - We have made a covenant with death (comp. Job 5:23; Hosea 2:18). The words are a boast, expressed somewhat enigmatically, that they have secured their own safety by some secret agreement. The exact nature of the agreement they are disinclined to divulge. With hell are we at agreement. A "synonymous parallelism," merely strengthening the previous assertion. When the overflowing scourge shall pass through. Assyrian invasion has been compared to a "flood" (Isaiah 8:7; Isaiah 28:2), and to a "rod" or "staff" in Isaiah 10:24. Here the two metaphors are joined together. It shall not come to us. Some means will be found - what, they do not say, either for diverting the flood, or for stemming it. For we have made lies our refuge. Here the Divine reporter departs from the language of those whose words he is reporting, and substitutes his own estimate of the true nature and true value of that "refuge" on which they placed such entire reliance. It appears by Isaiah 30:1-7 and Isaiah 36:6-9 that that refuge was Egypt. Now, Egypt was a "bruised reed," not to be depended on for keeping her engagements. To trust in her was to put confidence in "lies" and "falsehood."Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Forכִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction you said, אֲמַרְתֶּ֗ם (’ă·mar·tem) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say “We have made כָּרַ֤תְנֽוּ (kā·raṯ·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant a covenant בְרִית֙ (ḇə·rîṯ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1285: A covenant with אֶת־ (’eṯ-) Preposition Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among death; מָ֔וֶת (mā·weṯ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin we have fashioned עָשִׂ֣ינוּ (‘ā·śî·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural Strong's 6213: To do, make an agreement חֹזֶ֑ה (ḥō·zeh) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2374: A beholder in vision, a compact with וְעִם־ (wə·‘im-) Conjunctive waw | Preposition Strong's 5973: With, equally with Sheol. שְׁא֖וֹל (šə·’ō·wl) Noun - common singular Strong's 7585: Underworld (place to which people descend at death) When כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction the overwhelming scourge שׁוֹטֵ֤ף (šō·w·ṭêp̄) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7752: A scourge, whip passes through, יַֽעֲבֹר֙ (ya·‘ă·ḇōr) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on it will not לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no touch us, יְבוֹאֵ֔נוּ (yə·ḇō·w·’ê·nū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go because כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction we have made שַׂ֧מְנוּ (śam·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set lies כָזָ֛ב (ḵā·zāḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3577: A lie, falsehood, deceptive thing our refuge מַחְסֵ֖נוּ (maḥ·sê·nū) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural Strong's 4268: Refuge, shelter and falsehood וּבַשֶּׁ֥קֶר (ū·ḇaš·še·qer) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8267: Deception, disappointment, falsehood our hiding place.” נִסְתָּֽרְנוּ׃ (nis·tā·rə·nū) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common plural Strong's 5641: To hide, conceal Links Isaiah 28:15 NIVIsaiah 28:15 NLT Isaiah 28:15 ESV Isaiah 28:15 NASB Isaiah 28:15 KJV Isaiah 28:15 BibleApps.com Isaiah 28:15 Biblia Paralela Isaiah 28:15 Chinese Bible Isaiah 28:15 French Bible Isaiah 28:15 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Isaiah 28:15 Because you have said 'We have made (Isa Isi Is) |
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