Isaiah 30:25
And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֣ה׀
H1961
וְהָיָ֣ה׀
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַ֣ר
mountain
H2022
הַ֣ר
mountain
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
4 of 17
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
גָּבֹ֗הַ
And there shall be upon every high
H1364
גָּבֹ֗הַ
And there shall be upon every high
Strong's:
H1364
Word #:
5 of 17
elevated (or elated), powerful, arrogant
וְעַל֙
H5921
וְעַל֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נִשָּׂאָ֔ה
and upon every high
H5375
נִשָּׂאָ֔ה
and upon every high
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
9 of 17
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
פְּלָגִ֖ים
rivers
H6388
פְּלָגִ֖ים
rivers
Strong's:
H6388
Word #:
10 of 17
a rill (i.e., small channel of water, as in irrigation)
מָ֑יִם
of waters
H4325
מָ֑יִם
of waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
12 of 17
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
בְּיוֹם֙
in the day
H3117
בְּיוֹם֙
in the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
13 of 17
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
רָ֔ב
of the great
H7227
רָ֔ב
of the great
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
15 of 17
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
Historical Context
Israel's geography made water precious. Mountains and hills, especially in Judean wilderness, were arid. Cisterns collected scarce rain. The vision of streams on every mountain represents total environmental transformation. This may partially fulfill in millennial kingdom; ultimate fulfillment awaits New Earth where the river of life flows (Revelation 22). The 'great slaughter' likely refers to Armageddon (Revelation 16:16; 19:17-21) when God destroys armies gathered against Jerusalem.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the simultaneous blessing (streams) and judgment (slaughter) reveal God's justice in rewarding faithfulness and punishing rebellion?
- What does water flowing on dry mountains symbolize about the gospel's power to bring life where death once reigned?
- How should believers balance hope for restoration with awareness that it comes through judgment on wickedness?
Analysis & Commentary
There shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters (וְהָיָה עַל־כָּל־הַר גָּבֹהַּ וְעַל־כָּל־גִּבְעָה נִשָּׂאָה פְּלָגִים יִבְלֵי־מָיִם)—Mountains and hills, normally dry, will have pelagim (streams, channels) and yivley-mayim (watercourses). This supernatural fertility reverses desert conditions. In the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall—The phrase yom herev rav (day of great slaughter) refers to judgment on God's enemies. Towers (migdalim) symbolize military and economic power. Their falling accompanies God's people's blessing—another instance where restoration involves judgment.
The juxtaposition startles: abundant streams flow during slaughter's day. Blessing and judgment occur simultaneously. While enemy towers collapse, covenant people experience Eden-like abundance. This dual reality characterizes eschatology: Christ's return brings salvation for believers, judgment for unbelievers (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10). The water imagery alludes to Ezekiel 47:1-12 and Zechariah 14:8—rivers flowing from Jerusalem, healing all they touch. Revelation 22:1-2 describes the river of life flowing from God's throne. These visions aren't merely figurative; they promise real transformation of physical creation under Messiah's rule. Deserts bloom (Isaiah 35:1-7), springs burst forth, and creation itself is renewed.