Definition: 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:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Isaiah 28:15. It’s a really powerful and somewhat unsettling passage, so we’ll take it in stages. Here's what it means, explained simply: “Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement” : This is the core of the verse. The speaker (Isaiah) is saying that they agree with the idea that death and hell are inevitable parts of everything. They’re acknowledging that these places are permanent and will always be there. It's like saying, "Death and Hell are a natural part of existence." “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 hidden ourselves.” : This is where it gets more complex. Let’s unpack this: “Overflowing scourge” : This refers to something terrible and overwhelming – perhaps judgment, punishment, or a catastrophic event. It's like a flood that can never be stopped. “It shall not come unto us” : This means they cannot prevent this terrible thing from happening to them. They are powerless to stop it. “We have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hidden ourselves” : This is the key part of the imagery. The speaker isn’t saying they want this to happen. Instead, they're admitting that they've created a situation where they need to hide or avoid something terrible. They've deliberately chosen to remain shielded from it, perhaps because it’s causing them pain or suffering. “Falsehood” here suggests deception and manipulation – they are hiding behind a lie or misleading information. Overall Meaning & Interpretation: This verse speaks about the potential for human choices and actions to lead to a terrible outcome. It's suggesting that we, as humans, have a tendency to create situations where we become vulnerable to negative forces. The speaker is acknowledging this tendency and expressing a sense of resignation – they’re aware that something bad is coming and are trying to avoid it through careful planning or deception. It's often interpreted as a warning about: The dangers of pride and self-deception: Choosing to hide from truth or acknowledge reality can lead to difficult situations. The importance of honesty and accountability: Recognizing the potential for negative outcomes is crucial for avoiding them. The possibility of spiritual darkness: The "overflowing scourge" represents a spiritual or moral crisis that could overwhelm us. Important Note: This verse isn’t necessarily about literal hell. It's more symbolic, dealing with the potential for something terrible to occur and the human tendency to try and avoid it. --- Would you like me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Discuss how this verse relates to other biblical themes (like sin, judgment, or redemption)? Provide a simpler analogy to help understand the concept?