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Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Isaiah 28:15

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.

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), 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.

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See also Isaiah 28:15 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Isaiah 28:15. _A COVENANT WITH DEATH_] To be in covenant with, is a kind of proverbial expression to denote _perfect security_ from evil and mischief of any sort: - "For thou shalt be in league...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    WE HAVE MADE A COVENANT WITH DEATH - We are not to suppose that they had formally said this, but that their conduct was as if they had said it; they lived as securely as if they had entered into a com...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    3. THE SIX WOES OF THE PROPHET, JUDGMENT RUINS AND RESTORATION GLORIES TO COME (28-35) CHAPTER 28 The First Woe and the Message of Assurance 1. _Ephraim addressed (Isaiah 28:1)_ 2. _Jerusalem equall...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    JERUSALEM ALSO IS THREATENED WITH DESTRUCTION. But Jerusalem like Ephraim reels with intoxication, the priests and prophets especially. The prophet is not steady in his vision, the priest when pronoun...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    MADE. cut, or solemnized. MADE. COVENANT. It is alleged that the use of the word "covenant" is confined to Jehovah by the "second Isaiah" (i.e. after Isaiah 40): but it is so used before that (See Isa...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    There is again a _literary_connexion with what precedes; although the passage is probably a summary of an independent discourse. The prophet's aim is to impress on his opponents the disastrous consequ...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    WHEREFORE, HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD, &C.— The prophet, about to describe the temporal and external punishment in these verses, addresses the teachers and elders of the people, and in a strong manner...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    2. STABILITY TEXT: Isaiah 28:14-29 14 Wherefore hear the word of Jehovah, ye scoffers, that rule this people that is in Jerusalem: 15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole 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 refu...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    This chapter must be assigned (Isaiah 28:1) to a date prior to the capture of Samaria by the Assyrians (722 b.c.) and fall of the northern kingdom. 1-6. Samaria's luxury and self-indulgence pave the...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    MADE A COVENANT] they thought that by their policy they had, as it were, bought off death and Hades—made themselves secure. LIES, etc.] Though the words are put into the mouth of the politicians, the...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    The fate of Samaria (Israel) should have warned the leaders of Judah not to make the same mistake. False security is no security. TRUE SECURITY V16 Now listen to what the *Lord God says. ‘See, I am...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    ISAIAH: GOD CONTROLS THE NATIONS GOD CONTROLS THE FUTURE ISAIAH CHAPTER S 21 TO 30 _NORMAN HILLYER_ CHAPTER 28 The next section of the Book of Isaiah is from Chapter 28 to Chapter 33. These Cha...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    כִּ֣י אֲמַרְתֶּ֗ם כָּרַ֤תְנֽוּ בְרִית֙ אֶת ־מָ֔וֶת...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    BOOK 3 PROPHECIES FROM THE ACCESSION OF HEZEKIAH TO THE DEATH OF SARGON 727-705 B.C. THE prophecies with which we have been engaged (Chapter s 2-10:4) fall either before or during the great Assyrian...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    TRUTH THE ONLY REFUGE Isaiah 28:14-29 In the beginning of Hezekiah's reign the Jewish leaders had made an alliance with Assyria, on whom they relied to protect them against any and all foes. But the...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    Here begins the third and last circle of the first division of the book. It consists of a series of prophecies concerning the chosen people and the world. In this chapter we have a graphic revelation...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    Because ye have said, We have made a (p) 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 refug...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _Protected. Their conduct spoke this language. They would not fail to make alliances with Egypt, and to trust in idols, whatever the prophets might say to dissuade them. (Calmet)_...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    These are very awful verses, and enough to make the ears of everyone that heareth them to tingle. And what must the end be of scorners, mockers of God's word, and despisers of his threatenings?...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    15._Because ye have said. _The Prophet next assigns the reason why he called them “scorners;” it was because they had thrown off all fear of God. He likewise describes the manner in which they acted,...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Chapter 28 sets before us the first elements of these final scenes in the history of this wonderful people. The scourge comes from the north. Ephraim is invaded as by an overflowing torrent, by a temp...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    BECAUSE YE HAVE SAID,.... Within themselves; they thought so, if they did not say it in express words; and their conduct and behaviour showed that these were the sentiments and presumptions of their m...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    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 refug...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Wherefore hear, ye scornful men_ Who make a mock at sin, and at God's word and threatenings, and who doubt not that by your crafty counsels, and human efforts, you shall escape God's judgments; who _...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Because ye have said, in some further mockery which is now recorded, WE HAVE MADE A COVENANT WITH DEATH, confident that death itself could not harm them, AND WITH HELL, the realm of the dead, ARE WE A...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    THE FALSE QND THE TRUE REFUGE...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    5-15 The prophet next turns to Judah, whom he calls the residue of his people. Happy are those alone, who glory in the Lord of hosts himself. Hence his people get wisdom and strength for every servic...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    BECAUSE YE HAVE SAID in your hearts, WE HAVE MADE A COVENANT WITH DEATH, and with hell are we at agreement; we are as safe from _death_, and _hell_, or the _grave_, as if they had entered into covenan...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Isaiah 28:15 said H559 (H8804) made H3772 (H8804) covenant H1285 death H4194 Sheol H7585 are H6213 ...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ISAIAH STERNLY WARNS ABOUT THE THREATENING FUTURE IF THEY WILL NOT LOOK TO GOD'S SURE FOUNDATION (ISAIAH 28:14). The leaders of Judah reply that they are not afraid of his threats because they have go...

  • Scofield's Bible Commentary

    HELL Hebrew, "Sheol," (_ See Scofield) - (Habakkuk 2:5). _...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Woe of Ephriam due to drunkenness. Prediction of Assyrian captivity of Ephriam. Ephriam's fate a warning to Judah. CHARACTERS: God. CONCLUSION: The glorious beauty and the plenty of the lan...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Isaiah 28:1. _The crown of pride._ Sebaste, the ancient Samaria, is situated on a long mount of an oval figure, having first a fruitful valley, and then a circle of hills running round about it. _Maun...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men_ ISAIAH’S RESPONSE The prophet replies that when the storm does sweep over the land, as it assuredly will, these “refuges of lies” will prove no shelter to...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    ISAIAH—NOTE ON ISAIAH 28:15 A COVENANT WITH DEATH. Jerusalem’s leaders rejoiced over their alliance with Egypt, believing it protected them from Assyria (see Isaiah 30:1;...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    SECTION VII. RENEWED DENUNCIATIONS OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH (CH. 28-31.) EXPOSITION ISAIAH 28:1 A WARNING TO SAMARIA. The prophet has now east his eagle glance

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Chapter 28. Now the prophet turns to the local present issues. He is now... he's gone off down the road to the end of things. Now he comes back and he begins to speak of the Northern Kingdom, the majo...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    2 Thessalonians 2:9; Amos 2:4; Daniel 11:22; Ecclesiastes 8:8;...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Said — In your hearts. We — We are as safe from death, and hell, or the grave, as if they had entered into covenant with us. The scourge — The judgment of God. Through — The land. For — We shall secur...

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