Isaiah 34:9
Isaiah 34:9 in Multiple Translations
Edom’s streams will be turned to tar, and her soil to sulfur; her land will become a blazing pitch.
And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.
And the streams of Edom shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.
And its streams will be turned into boiling oil, and its dust into burning stone, and all the land will be on fire.
Edom's streams will be turned into tar, its soil into sulfur, and her land will become burning tar!
And the riuers thereof shall be turned into pitche, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shalbe burning pitch.
And turned have been her streams to pitch, And her dust to brimstone, And her land hath become burning pitch.
Its streams will be turned into pitch, its dust into sulfur, and its land will become burning pitch.
And its streams shall be turned into pitch, and its dust into brimstone, and its land shall become burning pitch.
And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the ground thereof into brimstone: and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.
The streams in Edom will be full of burning pitch/tar, and the ground will be covered with burning sulfur.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 34:9
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 34:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/נֶהֶפְכ֤וּ
נְחָלֶ֨י/הָ֙
לְ/זֶ֔פֶת
וַ/עֲפָרָ֖/הּ
לְ/גָפְרִ֑ית
וְ/הָיְתָ֣ה
אַרְצָ֔/הּ
לְ/זֶ֖פֶת
בֹּעֵרָֽה
וְ/נֶהֶפְכ֤וּ
hâphak
H2015
to overturn
Conj | V-Niphal-3cp
נְחָלֶ֨י/הָ֙
nachal
H5158
Brook
N-mp | Suff
לְ/זֶ֔פֶת
zepheth
H2203
pitch
Prep | N-fs
וַ/עֲפָרָ֖/הּ
ʻâphâr
H6083
dust
Conj | N-ms | Suff
לְ/גָפְרִ֑ית
gophrîyth
H1614
brimstone
Prep | N-fs
וְ/הָיְתָ֣ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-3fs
אַרְצָ֔/הּ
ʼerets
H776
land
N-cs | Suff
לְ/זֶ֖פֶת
zepheth
H2203
pitch
Prep | N-fs
בֹּעֵרָֽה
bâʻar
H1197
to burn
V-Qal
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 34:9
וְ/נֶהֶפְכ֤וּ
hâphak
H2015
"to overturn"
Conj | V-Niphal-3cp
To overturn means to turn something around or change it completely, often implying a reversal or transformation. This can be seen in the Bible when something is turned upside down or changed radically.
Definition: 1) to turn, overthrow, overturn 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to overturn, overthrow 1a2) to turn, turn about, turn over, turn around 1a3) to change, transform 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to turn oneself, turn, turn back 1b2) to change oneself 1b3) to be perverse 1b4) to be turned, be turned over, be changed, be turned against 1b5) to be reversed 1b6) to be overturned, be overthrown 1b7) to be upturned 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to transform oneself 1c2) to turn this way and that, turn every way 1d) (Hophal) to turn on someone
Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] become, change, come, be converted, give, make (a bed), overthrow (-turn), perverse, retire, tumble, turn (again, aside, back, to the contrary, every way). See also: Genesis 3:24; Job 30:15; Psalms 30:12.
נְחָלֶ֨י/הָ֙
nachal
H5158
"Brook"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for a brook or stream, often referring to a small river or valley, is used in the Bible to describe natural landscapes, such as the Brook Kidron in 2 Samuel 15:23. It can also refer to a narrow valley or a shaft of a mine, emphasizing the idea of a flowing body of water.
Definition: palm-tree Another name of shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Shihor" H7883G)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: brook, flood, river, stream, valley. See also: Genesis 26:17; 1 Kings 18:5; Psalms 18:5.
לְ/זֶ֔פֶת
zepheth
H2203
"pitch"
Prep | N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to pitch or asphalt, a sticky substance that softens in the sun. It is used in Genesis 6:14 to describe the material used to seal Noah's ark. The word is also related to the concept of waterproofing.
Definition: pitch, tar, asphalt
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: pitch. See also: Exodus 2:3; Isaiah 34:9.
וַ/עֲפָרָ֖/הּ
ʻâphâr
H6083
"dust"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
Aphar means dust or dry earth, and is also used to describe clay, earth, or mortar. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish 1a) dry or loose earth 1b) debris 1c) mortar 1d) ore
Usage: Occurs in 103 OT verses. KJV: ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish. See also: Genesis 2:7; Job 28:6; Psalms 7:6.
לְ/גָפְרִ֑ית
gophrîyth
H1614
"brimstone"
Prep | N-fs
Brimstone, or cypress-resin, is a highly flammable substance, often used to symbolize God's judgment or wrath in the Bible. It is associated with fire and destruction.
Definition: 1) brimstone 1a) of judgment (fig.) 1b) of Jehovah's breath (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: brimstone. See also: Genesis 19:24; Psalms 11:6; Isaiah 30:33.
וְ/הָיְתָ֣ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-3fs
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
אַרְצָ֔/הּ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
N-cs | Suff
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
לְ/זֶ֖פֶת
zepheth
H2203
"pitch"
Prep | N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to pitch or asphalt, a sticky substance that softens in the sun. It is used in Genesis 6:14 to describe the material used to seal Noah's ark. The word is also related to the concept of waterproofing.
Definition: pitch, tar, asphalt
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: pitch. See also: Exodus 2:3; Isaiah 34:9.
בֹּעֵרָֽה
bâʻar
H1197
"to burn"
V-Qal
To be brutish means to be stupid or barbarous, and can also refer to consuming something by fire or eating. It is used to describe someone who is dull-hearted or unreceptive.
Definition: : burn/ignite 1) to burn, consume, kindle, be kindled 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to begin to burn, be kindled, start burning 1a2) to burn, be burning 1a3) to burn, consume 1a4) Jehovah's wrath, human wrath (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to kindle, burn 1b2) to consume, remove (of guilt) (fig.) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to kindle 1c2) to burn up 1c3) to consume (destroy) 1d) (Pual) to burn
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste. See also: Exodus 3:2; Psalms 39:4; Psalms 2:12.
Study Notes — Isaiah 34:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 34:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 34:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 34:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 34:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 34:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 34:9
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 34:9
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 34:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 34:9
- Sermons on Isaiah 34:9
Context — Judgment on Edom
7And the wild oxen will fall with them, the young bulls with the strong ones. Their land will be drenched with blood, and their soil will be soaked with fat.
8For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion.
9Edom’s streams will be turned to tar, and her soil to sulfur; her land will become a blazing pitch.
10It will not be quenched—day or night. Its smoke will ascend forever. From generation to generation it will lie desolate; no one will ever again pass through it. 11The desert owl and screech owl will possess it, and the great owl and raven will dwell in it. The LORD will stretch out over Edom a measuring line of chaos and a plumb line of destruction.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 29:23 | All its soil will be a burning waste of sulfur and salt, unsown and unproductive, with no plant growing on it, just like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in His fierce anger. |
| 2 | Psalms 11:6 | On the wicked He will rain down fiery coals and sulfur; a scorching wind will be their portion. |
| 3 | Genesis 19:28 | He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and all the land of the plain, and he saw the smoke rising from the land like smoke from a furnace. |
| 4 | Revelation 19:20 | But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. |
| 5 | Luke 17:29 | But on the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. |
| 6 | Revelation 21:8 | But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.” |
| 7 | Jude 1:7 | In like manner, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued strange flesh, are on display as an example of those who sustain the punishment of eternal fire. |
| 8 | Job 18:15 | Fire resides in his tent; burning sulfur rains down on his dwelling. |
Isaiah 34:9 Summary
[This verse is talking about God's judgment on a place called Edom, where the land will be completely destroyed and become like a burning pitch. This is a picture of what happens when people reject God and His ways, as seen in Romans 1:18-32. Just like how God judged Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19:24-25, He will also judge the nations for their sin. We can learn from Edom's destruction that God is a God of justice and will hold all people accountable for their actions, as seen in Matthew 25:31-46.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for Edom's streams to be turned to tar and her soil to sulfur?
This is a picture of God's judgment on Edom, where the very foundations of the land are transformed into a desolate and uninhabitable environment, much like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19:24-25.
Is this verse speaking of a literal or figurative destruction of Edom?
While the language used is vivid and dramatic, it's likely that this verse is speaking of a spiritual and physical destruction of Edom, as seen in the context of Isaiah 34:8, where the LORD has a day of vengeance for the cause of Zion, and in Revelation 19:3, where a similar image is used to describe the fall of Babylon.
How does this verse relate to the rest of Scripture?
This verse is part of a larger theme of God's judgment on the nations, as seen in Isaiah 13:1-22 and Jeremiah 25:15-38, and serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and justice, as declared in Psalm 9:8 and Romans 2:5-6.
What can we learn from Edom's destruction in this verse?
We can learn that God is a God of justice and will ultimately hold all nations accountable for their actions, as seen in Matthew 25:31-46, and that His judgment is not just punitive, but also redemptive, as seen in Isaiah 34:8 and Revelation 21:1-4.
Reflection Questions
- What are the ways in which I have seen God's judgment in my own life or in the world around me, and how have I responded to it?
- How does the image of Edom's destruction challenge my understanding of God's character and His relationship with the nations?
- In what ways can I apply the principles of God's justice and sovereignty in my own life and relationships, as seen in this verse and in Scripture as a whole?
- What are the implications of this verse for my own heart and actions, in terms of seeking justice and righteousness in my own life and in the world around me?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 34:9
And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch,.... The Septuagint render it, "the valleys"; the word signifying both rivers and valleys, most render it rivers or streams.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 34:9
The streams, which seem most secure from this danger, and much more the land. Idumea shall be dealt with as Sodom and Gomorrah were, even utterly destroyed, as it were, by fire, or burning pitch and brimstone thrown down upon it from heaven.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 34:9
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.Ver. 9. And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch.] Like the lake of Sodom, which is near to Idumea, and whereof Josephus writes, that an ox, having all his legs bound, will not sink into it, the water is so thick and pitchy. Strabo, though a stranger to this prophecy, attesteth the accomplishment of it. Lyra saith that in some part of Idumea there is still ascending a smoke of fire and brimstone, as out of Mount Etna in Sicily. And Hyperius thinketh that the Edomites are here further threatened with hell torments. It should seem so by the next words. Alludit ad vicinam et situ et scelare et clade Sodomam - Lib. v. De Bell. Jud. Geog., lib. xvi.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 34:9
(9, 10) The streams thereof shall be turned into pitch . . .—The imagery of the punishment which is to fall on Edom is suggested partly by the scenery of the Dead Sea, partly by the volcanic character of Edom itself, with its extinct craters and streams of lava. (Comp. Jeremiah 49:18.) The prophet sees the destruction, as continuing not merely in its results, but in its process, the smoke of the burning craters rising up perpetually, and making the land uninhabitable.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 34:9
9–17. The fate of the land of Edom is next represented under two incompatible images,—first that of a perpetual conflagration (Isaiah 34:9-10), and second that of a dreary solitude, peopled only by “doleful creatures” (Isaiah 34:11 ff.).
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 34:9
And the streams thereof - The idea here is, that there would be as great and awful a destruction as if the streams everywhere should become pitch or resin, which would be set on fire, and which would fill the land with flame.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 34:9
8-10. Day of the Lord’s vengeance — Sure as the pillars of God’s throne stand, divine judgment must overtake wrong and wrongdoers, and Zion, or the Church of God, must be vindicated and defended.
Sermons on Isaiah 34:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The River of Life by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses a vision that the prophet Ezekiel had about a river of life. The preacher emphasizes that this vision is a prophecy for the Church of the lat |
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The Cup of Wrath by Andrew Bonar | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the severity of God's wrath and the consequences of sin. He uses imagery of the seven seals, trumpets, and vials from the book of Revelation |
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The Folly of Looking Back in Fleeing Out of Sodom by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards preaches about the folly of looking back when fleeing out of Sodom, drawing parallels between the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world to the judgment |
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The Vain Securities of the Wicked by Thomas Vincent | Thomas Vincent delivers a powerful sermon on the certainty and dreadfulness of the burnings of hell, emphasizing that they are prepared for the wicked and graceless individuals as |
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Fire and Brimstone in Hell, to Burn the Wicked by Thomas Vincent | Thomas Vincent preaches a powerful sermon on the horrors of hell, describing the future flames and torments awaiting the wicked in vivid detail. He emphasizes the certainty of hell |
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2 Queries About Hell by Christopher Love | Christopher Love preaches about the existence of hell, providing evidence from both the confessions of heathens and the testimony of Scripture. He emphasizes that the nature of sin |
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(Revelation) the Banishment of Satan by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher begins by quoting a passage from the Bible about the Spirit of the Lord being upon him to preach good tidings to the meek. He then talks about the key |