Isaiah 42:15
I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.
Original Language Analysis
אַחֲרִ֤יב
I will make waste
H2717
אַחֲרִ֤יב
I will make waste
Strong's:
H2717
Word #:
1 of 11
to parch (through drought) i.e., (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill
הָרִים֙
mountains
H2022
הָרִים֙
mountains
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
2 of 11
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אוֹבִֽישׁ׃
and I will dry up
H3001
אוֹבִֽישׁ׃
and I will dry up
Strong's:
H3001
Word #:
6 of 11
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
וְשַׂמְתִּ֤י
and I will make
H7760
וְשַׂמְתִּ֤י
and I will make
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
7 of 11
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
נְהָרוֹת֙
the rivers
H5104
נְהָרוֹת֙
the rivers
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
8 of 11
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
לָֽאִיִּ֔ים
islands
H339
לָֽאִיִּ֔ים
islands
Strong's:
H339
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island
Cross References
Isaiah 50:2Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.Isaiah 44:27That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:Revelation 20:11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Historical Context
This describes God's judgment on oppressor nations, whose fruitful land becomes desolate. Conversely, Israel's wilderness becomes fruitful (41:18-19)—complete reversal demonstrating God's justice.
Questions for Reflection
- How does creation's response to God's word demonstrate His sovereign authority?
- What does the transformation of landscapes teach about God's power to change circumstances?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God's judgment transforms landscape: making waste mountains and hills, drying up herbs, turning rivers to islands, and drying up pools. The Hebrew 'charav' (make waste) depicts devastation. This ecological judgment shows that creation itself responds to God's decrees—nature serves His purposes.