Isaiah 30:23
Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.
Original Language Analysis
וְנָתַן֩
Then shall he give
H5414
וְנָתַן֩
Then shall he give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 19
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
זַרְעֲךָ֜
of thy seed
H2233
זַרְעֲךָ֜
of thy seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
3 of 19
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תִּזְרַ֣ע
that thou shalt sow
H2232
תִּזְרַ֣ע
that thou shalt sow
Strong's:
H2232
Word #:
5 of 19
to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְלֶ֙חֶם֙
withal and bread
H3899
וְלֶ֙חֶם֙
withal and bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
8 of 19
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
תְּבוּאַ֣ת
of the increase
H8393
תְּבוּאַ֣ת
of the increase
Strong's:
H8393
Word #:
9 of 19
income, i.e., produce (literally or figuratively)
וְהָיָ֥ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
11 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
יִרְעֶ֥ה
feed
H7462
יִרְעֶ֥ה
feed
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
14 of 19
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
מִקְנֶ֛יךָ
shall thy cattle
H4735
מִקְנֶ֛יךָ
shall thy cattle
Strong's:
H4735
Word #:
15 of 19
something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition
בַּיּ֥וֹם
in that day
H3117
בַּיּ֥וֹם
in that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
16 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
הַה֖וּא
H1931
הַה֖וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
17 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
Cross References
Isaiah 32:20Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass.Isaiah 58:11And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.Psalms 36:8They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.Zechariah 10:1Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.1 Timothy 4:8For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.Genesis 41:18And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:Malachi 3:10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Historical Context
Ancient Israel's agricultural economy made rain the difference between survival and starvation. Drought was covenant curse for disobedience (Leviticus 26:19-20; Deuteronomy 28:23-24). Baal worship partly stemmed from Canaanite belief that Baal controlled rain. Isaiah's prophecy assures: Yahweh alone sends rain; abandon idols and He will bless you. This was fulfilled in various reformations and restorations throughout Israel's history.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the biblical order of spiritual renewal before material blessing challenge modern prosperity teaching?
- What does it mean that God promises both 'bread' for humans and 'pasture' for cattle—comprehensive care for all life?
- How should Christians understand material prosperity: as automatic blessing for obedience, or as gracious gift that may or may not accompany faithfulness?
Analysis & Commentary
Then shall he give the rain of thy seed (וְנָתַן מְטַר זַרְעֲךָ)—After spiritual renewal (v. 22), material blessing follows. The verb natan (give) emphasizes God as source. Rain for your zera (seed) means timely rains that germinate crops. And bread of the increase of the earth—The Hebrew lechem (bread) from tevuah (produce, yield) indicates abundant harvests. It shall be fat and plenteous (וְהָיָה דָשֵׁן וְשָׁמֵן)—Both adjectives dashen and shamen mean rich, oily, fertile—emphasizing superabundant provision. The covenantal blessing of Deuteronomy 28:1-14 is restored.
In that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures—Even livestock prosper in kar nirchav (large, spacious pasture). This comprehensive blessing—crops for humans, pasture for animals—reverses the curse of drought and scarcity that came with idolatry (Deuteronomy 28:15-24). The progression is theological: first, remove idols (v. 22); second, receive covenant blessings (v. 23). Spiritual health precedes material prosperity, not vice versa. This contradicts prosperity gospel that promises material blessing without repentance. Biblical order always: seek first God's kingdom and righteousness, and material needs will be provided (Matthew 6:33).