Isaiah 34:9
And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.
Original Language Analysis
וְנֶהֶפְכ֤וּ
thereof shall be turned
H2015
וְנֶהֶפְכ֤וּ
thereof shall be turned
Strong's:
H2015
Word #:
1 of 9
to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert
נְחָלֶ֙יהָ֙
And the streams
H5158
נְחָלֶ֙יהָ֙
And the streams
Strong's:
H5158
Word #:
2 of 9
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
וַעֲפָרָ֖הּ
and the dust
H6083
וַעֲפָרָ֖הּ
and the dust
Strong's:
H6083
Word #:
4 of 9
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
לְגָפְרִ֑ית
thereof into brimstone
H1614
לְגָפְרִ֑ית
thereof into brimstone
Strong's:
H1614
Word #:
5 of 9
properly, cypress-resin; by analogy, sulphur (as equally inflammable)
וְהָיְתָ֣ה
H1961
וְהָיְתָ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 9
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 29:23And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:Psalms 11:6Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
Historical Context
The Dead Sea region near Edom contained natural bitumen and sulfur deposits, making this imagery particularly vivid to Isaiah's audience.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the reversal of blessing to curse illustrate the serious consequences of rejecting God?
- What does this imagery teach about hell's eternal nature?
- How should the reality of such judgment affect our evangelism?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Burning pitch and brimstone echoes Sodom and Gomorrah's destruction (Genesis 19:24), linking Edom's judgment to paradigmatic divine wrath. The streams becoming pitch reverses God's life-giving water provision, showing how judgment removes all blessing. This imagery foreshadows hell's description as a lake of burning sulfur (Revelation 21:8). The transformation of natural elements into instruments of destruction demonstrates creation's participation in divine judgment.