Isaiah 28:15
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:
Study Note
Study Note
Jerusalem's leaders are charged with making 'a covenant with death' and an 'agreement with hell' — trusting in a protection from judgment that the prophet ironically endorses as their own self-description. The historical background is almost certainly the Egyptian alliance Judah sought against Assyrian pressure — a political strategy Isaiah consistently condemns (Isaiah 30:1-7; 31:1-3) as trusting in 'flesh' rather than God. The phrase 'covenant with death' became proverbial in Christian theological writing for any arrangement that attempts to secure immunity from consequences at the cost of covenant faithfulness. Isaiah 28:16 immediately introduces the Cornerstone metaphor, cited in Romans 9:33 and 1 Peter 2:6 as fulfilled in Christ.
Other Translations
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:
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.'
Because you have said, We have made death our friend, and with the underworld we have made an agreement; when the overflowing waters come through they will not come near us; for we are looking to false words for help, taking cover in what is untrue:
Cross References
And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with …
Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us …
Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, …
And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge …
Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as …
The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and …
Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king …
That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of …
Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: