Isaiah 25:2
Isaiah 25:2 in Multiple Translations
Indeed, You have made the city a heap of rubble, the fortified town a ruin. The fortress of strangers is a city no more; it will never be rebuilt.
For thou hast made of a city an heap; of a defenced city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built.
For thou hast made of a city a heap, of a fortified city a ruin, a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built.
For you have made a town a waste place: a strong town a mass of broken walls; the tower of the men of pride has come to an end; it will never be put up again.
You have turned the city into a pile of rubble; the fortified town is now a ruin; the foreigner palace is gone. It is no longer a city and it will never be rebuilt.
For thou hast made of a citie an heape, of a strong citie, a ruine: euen the palace of strangers of a citie, it shall neuer be built.
For Thou didst make of a city a heap, Of a fenced city a ruin, A high place of strangers from [being] a city, To the age it is not built.
For you have made a city into a heap, a fortified city into a ruin, a palace of strangers to be no city. It will never be built.
For thou hast made of a city a heap; of a fortified city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built.
For thou hast reduced the city to a heap, the strong city to ruin, the house of strangers, to be no city, and to be no more built up for ever.
Sometimes you have caused cities to become heaps of rubble, cities that had strong walls around them. You have caused palaces in foreign countries to disappear; they will never be rebuilt.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 25:2
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 25:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּ֣י
שַׂ֤מְתָּ
מֵ/עִיר֙
לַ/גָּ֔ל
קִרְיָ֥ה
בְצוּרָ֖ה
לְ/מַפֵּלָ֑ה
אַרְמ֤וֹן
זָרִים֙
מֵ/עִ֔יר
לְ/עוֹלָ֖ם
לֹ֥א
יִבָּנֶֽה
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
שַׂ֤מְתָּ
sûwm
H7760
to set
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
מֵ/עִיר֙
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
Prep | N-fs
לַ/גָּ֔ל
gal
H1530
heap
Prep | N-ms
קִרְיָ֥ה
qiryâh
H7151
town
N-fs
בְצוּרָ֖ה
bâtsar
H1219
to gather/restrain/fortify
Adj
לְ/מַפֵּלָ֑ה
mappâlâh
H4654
ruin
Prep | N-fs
אַרְמ֤וֹן
ʼarmôwn
H759
citadel
N-ms
זָרִים֙
zûwr
H2114
be a stranger
Adj
מֵ/עִ֔יר
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
Prep | N-fs
לְ/עוֹלָ֖ם
ʻôwlâm
H5769
forever
Prep | N-ms
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יִבָּנֶֽה
bânâh
H1129
to build
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 25:2
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
שַׂ֤מְתָּ
sûwm
H7760
"to set"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.
Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, place, set, appoint, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on 1a2) to set, direct, direct toward 1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig) 1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix 1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix 1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give 1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign 1c) (Hophal) to be set
Usage: Occurs in 550 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. See also: Genesis 2:8; Leviticus 20:5; 1 Samuel 21:13.
מֵ/עִיר֙
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
לַ/גָּ֔ל
gal
H1530
"heap"
Prep | N-ms
A gal is a heap of stones, a spring of water, or a wave, used in various contexts like ratifying a covenant or describing God's chastisement.
Definition: : heap/pile 1) heap, spring, wave, billow 1a) heap (of stones) 1a1) over dead body 1a2) alone 1a3) used in ratifying a covenant 1b) waves (fig. of chastisement of Jehovah) 1c) spring Also means: gal (גַּל ": wave" H1530H)
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: billow, heap, spring, wave. See also: Genesis 31:46; Psalms 107:29; Psalms 42:8.
קִרְיָ֥ה
qiryâh
H7151
"town"
N-fs
This word refers to a town or city, a place where people live and work. It is used in the Bible to describe various urban areas.
Definition: 1) city, town 1a) in general 1b) in specific 1c) collective 1d) indefinite Aramaic equivalent: qir.yah (קִרְיָה "town" H7149)
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: city. See also: Numbers 21:28; Isaiah 22:2; Psalms 48:3.
בְצוּרָ֖ה
bâtsar
H1219
"to gather/restrain/fortify"
Adj
This word means to gather or fortify, often used to describe harvesting grapes or building strong walls. It appears in the Bible to describe the gathering of crops, such as in the book of Isaiah. It can also mean to restrain or make something inaccessible.
Definition: 1) to gather, restrain, fence, fortify, make inaccessible, enclose 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut off 1a2) fortified, cut off, made inaccessible (pass participle) 1a3) secrets, mysteries, inaccessible things (subst) 1b) (Niphal) to be withheld 1c) (Piel) to fortify
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: cut off, (de-) fenced, fortify, (grape) gather(-er), mighty things, restrain, strong, wall (up), withhold. See also: Genesis 11:6; Job 42:2; Psalms 76:13.
לְ/מַפֵּלָ֑ה
mappâlâh
H4654
"ruin"
Prep | N-fs
This word means a ruin or something that has fallen into decay, like a broken building. In the book of Jeremiah, it describes the destruction of Jerusalem, a city in ruins.
Definition: a ruin Another spelling of ma.pe.lah (מַפֵּלָה "ruin" H4654B)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: ruin(-ous). See also: Isaiah 17:1; Isaiah 23:13; Isaiah 25:2.
אַרְמ֤וֹן
ʼarmôwn
H759
"citadel"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for a high palace or fortress, like a citadel, appears in the Bible as a place of strength and power. It is often translated as castle or palace in the KJV. This word is used to describe the strongholds of kings and rulers.
Definition: : palace citadel, palace, fortress Also means: ar.mon (אַרְמוֹן ": fortress" H0759H)
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: castle, palace. Compare H2038 (הַרְמוֹן). See also: 1 Kings 16:18; Jeremiah 49:27; Psalms 48:4.
זָרִים֙
zûwr
H2114
"be a stranger"
Adj
This word has several meanings, including being a stranger or foreigner, like when Abraham lived in Egypt as a foreigner. It can also mean to commit adultery, highlighting the idea of turning aside from what is right and proper, as warned against in Proverbs 5.
Definition: 1) to be strange, be a stranger 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to become estranged 1a2) strange, another, stranger, foreigner, an enemy (participle) 1a3) strange woman, prostitute, harlot (meton) 1b) (Niphal) to be estranged 1c) (Hophal) to be a stranger, be one alienated
Usage: Occurs in 76 OT verses. KJV: (come from) another (man, place), fanner, go away, (e-) strange(-r, thing, woman). See also: Exodus 29:33; Proverbs 11:15; Psalms 44:21.
מֵ/עִ֔יר
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
לְ/עוֹלָ֖ם
ʻôwlâm
H5769
"forever"
Prep | N-ms
This word means forever or always, describing something that lasts an eternity. It is used in the Bible to describe God's eternal nature and his lasting promises.
Definition: : old/ancient 1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world 1a) ancient time, long time (of past) 1b) (of future) 1b1) for ever, always 1b2) continuous existence, perpetual 1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
Usage: Occurs in 413 OT verses. KJV: alway(-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, (n-)) ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world ([phrase] without end). Compare H5331 (נֶצַח), H5703 (עַד). See also: Genesis 3:22; 1 Kings 8:13; Psalms 5:12.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יִבָּנֶֽה
bânâh
H1129
"to build"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
The Hebrew word bânâh means to build something, like a house or a family. It can also mean to establish or repair something, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to build, rebuild 1a2) to build a house (ie, establish a family) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be built 1b2) to be rebuilt 1b3) established (of restored exiles) (fig.) 1b4) established (made permanent) 1b5) to be built up (of childless wife becoming the mother of a family through the children of a concubine) Aramaic equivalent: be.nah (בְּנָה "to build" H1124)
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:22; 1 Kings 8:48; 2 Chronicles 20:8.
Study Notes — Isaiah 25:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 25:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 25:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 25:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 25:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 25:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 25:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 25:2
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 25:2
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 25:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 25:2
- Sermons on Isaiah 25:2
Context — Praise to the Victorious God
1O LORD, You are my God! I will exalt You; I will praise Your name. For You have worked wonders— plans formed long ago— in perfect faithfulness.
2Indeed, You have made the city a heap of rubble, the fortified town a ruin. The fortress of strangers is a city no more; it will never be rebuilt.
3Therefore, a strong people will honor You. The cities of ruthless nations will revere You. 4For You have been a refuge for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like rain against a wall,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 17:1 | This is the burden against Damascus: “Behold, Damascus is no longer a city; it has become a heap of ruins. |
| 2 | Isaiah 13:22 | Hyenas will howl in her fortresses and jackals in her luxurious palaces. Babylon’s time is at hand, and her days will not be prolonged. |
| 3 | Isaiah 25:12 | The high-walled fortress will be brought down, cast to the ground, into the dust. |
| 4 | Isaiah 23:13 | Look at the land of the Chaldeans — a people now of no account. The Assyrians destined it for the desert creatures; they set up their siege towers and stripped its palaces. They brought it to ruin. |
| 5 | Isaiah 14:23 | “I will make her a place for owls and for swamplands; I will sweep her away with the broom of destruction,” declares the LORD of Hosts. |
| 6 | Deuteronomy 13:16 | And you are to gather all its plunder in the middle of the public square, and completely burn the city and all its plunder as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God. The city must remain a mound of ruins forever, never to be rebuilt. |
| 7 | Revelation 18:19 | Then they will throw dust on their heads as they weep and mourn and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, where all who had ships on the sea were enriched by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been destroyed.” |
| 8 | Jeremiah 51:26 | No one shall retrieve from you a cornerstone or a foundation stone, because you will become desolate forever,” declares the LORD. |
| 9 | Isaiah 21:9 | Look, here come the riders, horsemen in pairs.” And one answered, saying: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon! All the images of her gods lie shattered on the ground!” |
| 10 | Revelation 18:2–3 | And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast. All the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality. The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from the extravagance of her luxury.” |
Isaiah 25:2 Summary
Isaiah 25:2 says that God has made a city a 'heap of rubble', which means He has completely destroyed it. This shows God's power and judgment on sin and rebellion. Just like how God destroyed the city, He can also destroy the strongholds of sin in our lives, as seen in 2 Corinthians 10:4. We can trust in God's power and judgment, and surrender our lives to Him, just like it says in Romans 12:1-2, and know that He will bring glory to Himself and redemption to His people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What city is being referred to in Isaiah 25:2?
The city in Isaiah 25:2 is likely a reference to the stronghold of Satan and his kingdom, which will be brought down by God's power, as seen in Isaiah 13:19 and Revelation 18:2.
Why does God destroy cities and fortresses?
God destroys cities and fortresses that oppose Him and His people, as seen in Isaiah 25:2, in order to show His power and judgment, and to bring glory to Himself, as stated in Isaiah 2:10-11 and Psalm 46:10.
What does it mean for a city to be 'a heap of rubble'?
A city being 'a heap of rubble' means it has been completely destroyed and left in ruins, with no possibility of being rebuilt, as seen in Isaiah 25:2 and Micah 3:12.
How does this verse relate to God's plan of salvation?
This verse shows God's power and judgment, which is a part of His plan of salvation, as seen in Isaiah 25:1 and Romans 11:25-26, where God's judgment on sin and rebellion ultimately leads to the redemption of His people.
Reflection Questions
- What are some 'strongholds' in my life that need to be torn down by God's power, and how can I surrender them to Him?
- How can I trust in God's power and judgment, even when I don't understand the circumstances around me?
- In what ways can I be a part of God's plan to bring glory to Himself, and to spread the message of salvation to those around me?
- What are some ways that I can 'exalt' and 'praise' God, as seen in Isaiah 25:1, in my daily life and worship?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 25:2
For thou hast made of a city an heap,.... Which is to be understood, not of Samaria, nor of Jerusalem; rather of Babylon; though it is best to interpret it of the city of Rome, as Jerom says the Jews
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 25:2
For thou hast made of a city an heap; of a defenced city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 25:2
A city; which is put collectively for cities. He speaks of the cities of strangers, as the following clause explains it, or of enemies of God, and of his people. And under the name cities he comprehends their countries and kingdoms, of which cities are an eminent and commonly the strongest part. A palace of strangers; the royal cities, in which were the palaces of strangers, i.e. of the kings of strange people, or of the Gentiles. It shall never be built; their cities and palaces have been or shall be utterly and irrecoverably destroyed.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 25:2
Isaiah 25:2 For thou hast made of a city an heap; [of] a defenced city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built.Ver. 2. For thou hast made of a city an heap.] Babylonem intelligit, say some. Narratur eversio urbis Romae, say others; the ruin of Rome is here foretold; which is therefore also, say they, called a palace of strangers; because Antichrist with his adherents reigneth there. Jerome saith the Jews understand it to be Rome, which shall be in the end destroyed, and then their poor nation shall be relieved. It may be so. Aσεβωνπολις. - Sept.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 25:2
(2) Thou hast made of a city an heap.—The city spoken of as “the palace of strangers” was, probably in the prophet’s thought, that which he identified with the oppressors and destroyers of his people—i.e., Nineveh or Babylon; but that city was also for him the representation of the world-power which in every age opposes itself to the righteousness of God’s kingdom. The Babylon of Isaiah becomes the type of the mystical Babylon of the Apocalypse. The words as they stand expand the thought of Isa 24:10. (Comp. Isaiah 27:10.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 25:2
Verse 2. A city - "The city"] Nineveh, Babylon, Ar, Moab, or any other strong fortress possessed by the enemies of the people of God. For the first מעיר meir, of a city, the Syriac and Vulgate read העיר hair, the city; the Septuagint and Chaldee read ערים arim, cities, in the plural, transposing the letters. After the second מעיר meir, a MS. adds לגל lagol, for a heap. A palace of strangers - "The palace of the proud ones"] For זרים zarim, strangers, MS. Bodl. and another read זדים zedim, the proud: so likewise the Septuagint; for they render it ασεβων here, and in Isaiah 25:5, as they do in some other places: see Deuteronomy 18:20; Deuteronomy 18:22. Another MS. reads צרים tsarim, adversaries; which also makes a good sense. But זרים zarim, strangers, and זדים zedim, the proud, are often confounded by the great similitude of the letters ד daleth and ר resh. See Malachi 3:15; Malachi 4:1; Psalms 19:14, in the Septuagint; and Psalms 54:5, where the Chaldee reads זדים zedim, compared with Psalms 86:16.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 25:2
2. The fall of a hostile city. The word “city” can hardly in this case be understood collectively, although the terms of the description are too vague to shew what historic city is intended. All that appears is that it is a city which, in the age of the prophet, symbolised the hostility of the world to the kingdom of God; its identification will depend on the date assigned to the prophecy. If for instance the author lived during or shortly after the Exile, the “defenced city” would be most naturally identified with Babylon (see however on the next verse). a palace of strangers] Better, of aliens (as in ch. Isaiah 1:7).
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 25:2
For thou hast made - This is supposed to be uttered by the Jews who should return from Babylon, and therefore refers to what would have been seen by them.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 25:2
1, 2. He sings in words familiar to him from Psalms 118:28; Psalms 77:15; Psalms 72:12, etc.; also, from Exodus 15:11. For — Sufficient occasion is it that Babylon (as the vision gives it) is destroyed.
Sermons on Isaiah 25:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 17:1 - Part 3 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the importance of standing up for righteousness in a fallen world. He emphasizes the need for young adults to abstain from the immorali |
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Perfect Peace by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes that in times of panic and chaos, God's faithful people will experience perfect peace, a peace that surpasses all understanding. He references Isaiah 57: |
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Israel by Walter Wilson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses various aspects of the Bible and its accuracy. They mention the fulfillment of prophecies, such as the destruction of Babylon and the reestabl |
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(Through the Bible) Isaiah 21-25 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the current state of the United States and the world, highlighting the military buildup by Russia and the impending superwar. The preacher em |
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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 20:1 - Part 3 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the importance of standing up for righteousness in a fallen world. He introduces his new book, "Standing Up in a Fallen World," which i |
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The Word in a Recession by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of placing our confidence solely in God, rather than in worldly possessions or external factors. He warns against being foole |
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(Isaiah) Judgment of the Nations by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the fall of Babylon as described in the book of Isaiah. He emphasizes the vividness and power of God's word, which conveys the panic and terr |