Isaiah 22:25
In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.
Original Language Analysis
בַּיּ֣וֹם
In that day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
In that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 19
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַה֗וּא
H1931
הַה֗וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 19
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יְהוָ֖ה
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
5 of 19
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
תָּמוּשׁ֙
be removed
H4185
תָּמוּשׁ֙
be removed
Strong's:
H4185
Word #:
6 of 19
to withdraw (both literally and figuratively, whether intransitive or transitive)
הַתְּקוּעָ֖ה
that is fastened
H8628
הַתְּקוּעָ֖ה
that is fastened
Strong's:
H8628
Word #:
8 of 19
to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become
בְּמָק֣וֹם
place
H4725
בְּמָק֣וֹם
place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
נֶאֱמָ֑ן
in the sure
H539
נֶאֱמָ֑ן
in the sure
Strong's:
H539
Word #:
10 of 19
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
וְנִגְדְּעָ֣ה
and be cut down
H1438
וְנִגְדְּעָ֣ה
and be cut down
Strong's:
H1438
Word #:
11 of 19
to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything
וְנָפְלָ֗ה
and fall
H5307
וְנָפְלָ֗ה
and fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
12 of 19
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
וְנִכְרַת֙
that was upon it shall be cut off
H3772
וְנִכְרַת֙
that was upon it shall be cut off
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
13 of 19
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
הַמַּשָּׂ֣א
and the burden
H4853
הַמַּשָּׂ֣א
and the burden
Strong's:
H4853
Word #:
14 of 19
a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָלֶ֔יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֔יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Isaiah 46:11Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.Isaiah 22:23And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house.Psalms 146:3Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.Micah 4:4But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
Historical Context
While Eliakim served faithfully during Hezekiah's reign, his descendants apparently succumbed to corruption through nepotism. The prophecy's fulfillment likely occurred during subsequent reigns when his family lost favor. This illustrates the biblical pattern: human institutions, however divinely blessed initially, decay without continual renewal.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'sure pegs' (leaders, institutions, traditions) have you trusted that eventually failed?
- How does Eliakim's failure point to the necessity of Christ as the only reliable foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11)?
- What warning does this passage give about creating dynasties or systems dependent on human strength rather than God's continual grace?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed—Despite Eliakim's faithful service and divine installation (v. 23), even he would eventually fail under the weight. The Hebrew yated (peg/nail), promised as secure (ne'eman, v. 23), will be removed and cut down and fall (תִּמּוֹשׁ וְנִגְדְּעָה וְנָפְלָה). The threefold verbs emphasize total collapse: loosened, cut off, fallen.
This devastating conclusion points beyond Eliakim to messianic typology. Every human 'peg'—no matter how divinely appointed—ultimately proves insufficient. Only Christ fulfills what Eliakim foreshadowed: the eternal government resting on His shoulders (Isaiah 9:6), the key of David that none can shut (Revelation 3:7). For the LORD hath spoken it (כִּי יְהוָה דִּבֵּר) carries prophetic authority: human dynasties crumble, but God's Word endures. The burden that crushes earthly pegs finds its only adequate support in the One who bore our sins on the cross.