Isaiah 26:14
They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.
Isaiah 26:14 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse from the book of Isaiah is a prophetic message about the ultimate fate of those who have turned away from God and chosen to live a life of sin. The verse describes how those who have rejected God and His teachings are spiritually dead and will not be able to live eternally in His presence. The phrase "they shall not rise" emphasizes the idea that these individuals will not experience resurrection or life after death. The verse also speaks of God's judgment and punishment upon those who have strayed from His path. It suggests that God has visited these individuals to bring about their destruction and eliminate their memory. In essence, this verse serves as a warning about the consequences of living a life of disobedience and serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and obedience to God's commandments.
Theological Overview
In this passage from the book of Isaiah, the prophet is delivering a message of judgment and destruction upon a group of people who have turned away from God. The use of the language "They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise" emphasizes the finality and permanence of their condition. The theological interpretation of this verse highlights the consequences of a life lived in rebellion against God – there is no hope of salvation or redemption for those who persist in their sinful ways. The phrase "therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish" further underscores the severity of God's judgment on those who reject His will. This verse serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of living a life of faith and obedience to God, as the consequences of turning away from Him are dire and eternal.
Isaiah 26:14 in other translations
American Standard Version
[They are] dead, they shall not live; [they are] deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all remembrance of them to perish.
World English Bible
The dead shall not live. The departed spirits shall not rise. Therefore you have visited and destroyed them, and caused all memory of them to perish.
Douay-Rheims
Let not the dead live, let not the giants rise again: therefore hast visited and destroyed them, and hast destroyed all their memory.
Geneva Bible (1599)
The dead shall not liue, neither shall the dead arise, because thou hast visited and scattered them, and destroyed all their memorie.