Isaiah 32:19
When it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place.
Original Language Analysis
בְּרֶ֣דֶת
coming down
H3381
בְּרֶ֣דֶת
coming down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
2 of 6
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
הַיָּ֑עַר
on the forest
H3293
הַיָּ֑עַר
on the forest
Strong's:
H3293
Word #:
3 of 6
a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)
Cross References
Isaiah 28:17Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.Isaiah 30:30And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.Isaiah 28:2Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.Isaiah 26:5For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.Zechariah 11:2Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down.
Historical Context
Hail as divine judgment appears throughout Scripture—Egypt's plagues (Exodus 9:18-26), Joshua's victory (Joshua 10:11), future tribulation (Revelation 8:7, 11:19, 16:21). Ancient peoples understood hail as divine weapon—destructive, uncontrollable by humans, falling from heaven. When God's people dwell securely, it's often because God has judged or restrained their enemies. Israel's peace in Canaan required Canaanite conquest.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's judgment on enemies enable His people's peace—are these realities separable?
- What does it mean that God simultaneously blesses His people and judges His enemies?
- How should awareness of coming judgment on wickedness affect our gospel urgency?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
When it shall hail, coming down on the forest (וּבָרַד בְּרֶדֶת הַיָּעַר, uvarad beredet haya'ar)—when בָּרָד (barad, hail) comes down (יָרַד, yarad) on the יַעַר (ya'ar, forest). And the city shall be low in a low place (וּבַשִּׁפְלָה תִשְׁפַּל הָעִיר, uvashiflah tishpal ha'ir)—the עִיר (ir, city) will be שָׁפֵל (shafel, brought low, humbled) in שְׁפֵלָה (shefelah, lowland, humiliation).
This difficult verse likely describes judgment on God's enemies while His people dwell securely (v. 18). The hail falling on the 'forest' may symbolize armies or nations (forests often represent kingdoms in prophetic literature). The city being 'brought low' could reference Babylon or other oppressing powers. While God's people experience peace (vv. 17-18), His enemies face humiliation. Revelation 16:21 describes eschatological hail judgment: 'great hail out of heaven... and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail.' God protects His own while judging enemies.