John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 24:1

"Behold, Jehovah maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof." — Isaiah 24:1 (ASV)

Behold, Jehovah maketh the earth empty. This prophecy, as far as I can judge, is the conclusion of all the descriptions that have been given from the thirteenth chapter onward, in which Isaiah foretold destruction not only to the Jews and to Israel, but to the Moabites, Assyrians, Egyptians, and other nations.

In short, having, as it were, surveyed all the countries which were near the Jews and known to them, he gives a brief summary of the whole. Some view this as referring to Israel, and others to the Jews, and think that their destruction is foretold; but as he mentions the world, I can view it in no other light than as a comprehensive statement of all that he formerly said about each of them, and at different times.

Nor is this view contradicted by the fact that he immediately mentions the priest, which might lead us to believe that these things relate only to the people of God. For although he speaks of all the nations, yet because the Jews always hold the highest rank, Isaiah must have had them especially in view, for he was appointed to them. It may be said to have been accidental that he mentions other nations; and therefore we should not wonder if, after having made reference to them, he speaks particularly about his own people in a single word.

Others suppose that he means “the whole world,” but think that he refers to the last day, which I consider to be an excessively forced interpretation; for, after having threatened the Jews and other nations, the Prophet afterwards adds a consolation, that the Lord will one day raise up his Church and make her more flourishing; which certainly cannot apply to the last judgment.

But by the term the earth, I do not think that the Prophet means the whole world, but the countries well known to the Jews; just as in the present day, when we speak of what happens in the world, we almost never go beyond Europe, or think of what is happening in India; for this may be said to be our world.

Thus, Isaiah speaks of “the earth” known to himself and to all whom he addressed, and of the people who inhabited the neighboring countries. In short, we may limit the term “World” to the Egyptians, Assyrians, Moabites, Tyrians, and the like; as if he had said, “Until now I have spoken of various calamities, which threatened many nations, and still in part threaten some of them; but I may sum up all by saying, ‘The Lord will overturn and strip the face of the earth of all its ornaments.’”

And maketh it bare. Some translate בלקה (bōlĕkāch), he uncovereth the earth, so that enemies may have free entrance into it.

But I prefer to translate it, “he maketh bare the earth,” because the earth is said to be “covered” when it is inhabited by a great multitude of people, and when it abounds in fruits and flocks.

It is said to be “uncovered” or “laid bare,” when it is deprived of its inhabitants, and when its covering is taken away from it, as if one were stripped of his clothing and ornaments.

Now, this must have happened not only to the Jews, but to the Assyrians, Egyptians, and other nations which he had mentioned; and therefore to all of them together he threatens their ruin.