Isaiah 30:14
And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters' vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit.
Original Language Analysis
וּ֠שְׁבָרָהּ
And he shall break
H7665
וּ֠שְׁבָרָהּ
And he shall break
Strong's:
H7665
Word #:
1 of 17
to burst (literally or figuratively)
כְּשֵׁ֨בֶר
it as the breaking
H7667
כְּשֵׁ֨בֶר
it as the breaking
Strong's:
H7667
Word #:
2 of 17
a fracture, figuratively, ruin; specifically, a solution (of a dream)
נֵ֧בֶל
' vessel
H5035
נֵ֧בֶל
' vessel
Strong's:
H5035
Word #:
3 of 17
a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); also a lyre (as having a body of like form)
יוֹצְרִ֛ים
of the potters
H3335
יוֹצְרִ֛ים
of the potters
Strong's:
H3335
Word #:
4 of 17
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַחְמֹ֑ל
he shall not spare
H2550
יַחְמֹ֑ל
he shall not spare
Strong's:
H2550
Word #:
7 of 17
to commiserate; by implication, to spare
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִמָּצֵ֤א
so that there shall not be found
H4672
יִמָּצֵ֤א
so that there shall not be found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
וְלַחְשֹׂ֥ף
or to take
H2834
וְלַחְשֹׂ֥ף
or to take
Strong's:
H2834
Word #:
15 of 17
to strip off, i.e., generally to make naked (for exertion or in disgrace), to drain away or bail up (a liquid)
Cross References
Psalms 2:9Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.Revelation 2:27And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.Romans 11:21For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Historical Context
Pottery was ubiquitous in ancient Israel—broken sherds were sometimes reused as writing surfaces (ostraca) or for carrying coals. Isaiah's image of destruction so complete that not one usable sherd remains would communicate utter devastation. Archaeological excavations of destroyed cities reveal massive pottery destruction layers from ancient conquests.
Questions for Reflection
- What areas of your life would survive God's judgment, and what would be utterly shattered?
- How does God's willingness to completely destroy false refuges demonstrate his love?
- What 'sherds' of old life are you trying to salvage that God wants pulverized?
Analysis & Commentary
He shall break it as the breaking of the potters' vessel (שֶׁבֶר נֵבֶל יוֹצְרִים/shever nevel yotzerim)—Pottery breaking imagery appears throughout Scripture (Psalm 2:9, Jeremiah 19:11, Revelation 2:27). The nevel was a large earthenware jar; when shattered, it became utterly useless. The phrase broken in pieces (כָּתַת/katat) means pulverized, beaten to powder.
Not a sherd to take fire from the hearth—not even a pottery fragment (חֶרֶשׂ/cheres) large enough for practical use survives. The judgment is so complete that nothing can be salvaged or repurposed. This total destruction contrasts sharply with God's promise to the remnant (v. 19-21)—judgment falls on the rebellious structure, but God preserves a people for himself.