Isaiah 24:1 - Exposition

Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty . Several critics (Lowth, Ewald, Gesenius, Knobel) prefer to render, "maketh the land empty;" but the broader view, which is maintained by Rosenmüller, Kay, Cheyne, and others, seems preferable. The mention of "the world" in Isaiah 24:4 , and of "the-kings of the earth" in Isaiah 24:21 , implies a wider field of survey than the Holy Land. Of course the expression, "maketh empty," is rhetorical, some remarkable, but not complete, depopulation being pointed at (comp. Isaiah 24:6 ). Turneth it upside down (comp. Ezekiel 21:27 ). Scattereth abroad the inhabitants . The scanty population left is dispersed, and not allowed to collect into masses.