Isaiah 7:25
And on all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns: but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle.
Original Language Analysis
וְכֹ֣ל
H3605
וְכֹ֣ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הֶהָרִ֗ים
And on all hills
H2022
הֶהָרִ֗ים
And on all hills
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
2 of 16
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יֵעָ֣דֵר֔וּן
that shall be digged
H5737
יֵעָ֣דֵר֔וּן
that shall be digged
Strong's:
H5737
Word #:
5 of 16
to arrange, as a battle, a vineyard (to hoe); hence, to muster and so to miss (or find wanting)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָב֣וֹא
there shall not come thither
H935
תָב֣וֹא
there shall not come thither
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
7 of 16
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
שָׁ֔מָּה
H8033
שָׁ֔מָּה
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
8 of 16
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
יִרְאַ֖ת
the fear
H3374
יִרְאַ֖ת
the fear
Strong's:
H3374
Word #:
9 of 16
fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverence
שָׁמִ֣יר
of briers
H8068
שָׁמִ֣יר
of briers
Strong's:
H8068
Word #:
10 of 16
a thorn; also (from its keenness for scratching) a gem, probably the diamond
וָשָׁ֑יִת
and thorns
H7898
וָשָׁ֑יִת
and thorns
Strong's:
H7898
Word #:
11 of 16
scrub or trash, i.e., wild growth of weeds or briers (as if put on the field)
וְהָיָה֙
H1961
וְהָיָה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
12 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְמִשְׁלַ֣ח
but it shall be for the sending forth
H4916
לְמִשְׁלַ֣ח
but it shall be for the sending forth
Strong's:
H4916
Word #:
13 of 16
a sending out, i.e., (abstractly) presentation (favorable), or seizure (unfavorable); also (concretely) a place of dismissal, or a business to be disc
Historical Context
Terraced hillside agriculture was essential in mountainous Judah, requiring enormous labor to build and maintain. These terraces prevented erosion and maximized arable land. When populations declined and terror made farming impossible, terraces collapsed and reverted to rough pasture. Archaeological surveys show dramatic agricultural decline in Judah following Sennacherib's invasion, with many terraced hills abandoned for centuries.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's discipline touch every area of our lives until we return to Him?
- What can we learn from the transformation of productive labor into mere subsistence?
- In what ways does God preserve His people even in the midst of comprehensive judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Hills once terraced for productive farming would become pasture for grazing animals, showing economic regression and depopulation. The 'digging with the mattock' refers to the intensive labor required for hillside cultivation in ancient Palestine. The fear of 'briers and thorns' prevents agricultural work, completing the cycle of judgment. This passage illustrates how God's discipline can be comprehensive, affecting every aspect of life. Yet even in judgment, God provides—the land supports basic livestock, preserving the remnant.