Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,
Then I asked, 'Lord, how long will this last?' And he answered, 'Until the cities are destroyed with no one living in them, and the houses are empty with no people, and the land is completely ruined,'
Isaiah is asking God how long the judgment will continue, and God tells him it will last until the land is completely devastated and empty.
📚 Historical Context
In the 8th century BC, during the reign of King Uzziah of Judah, the prophet Isaiah experienced a vision of God's holiness and was called to warn the people of impending judgment due to their idolatry and rebellion against God. When Isaiah asked how long this mission of proclaiming doom would last, God's response indicated that it would continue until the land was left in ruins, reflecting the historical reality of Assyrian invasions that devastated Israel and threatened Judah. This prophecy highlights the consequences of national sin in a time when empires like Assyria were rising to enforce divine justice.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.