Isaiah 7:25
Isaiah 7:25 in Multiple Translations
For fear of the briers and thorns, you will no longer traverse the hills once tilled by the hoe; they will become places for oxen to graze and sheep to trample.
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.
And all the hills that were digged with the mattock, thou shalt not come thither for fear of briers and thorns; but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of sheep.
And they will send out the oxen and the sheep on all the hills which before were worked with the spade, ... fear of blackberries and thorns.
In fact, all the hills that were once tilled by the hoe you won't want to go to because you'll worry about the brambles and thorns there. They'll just be where cattle are let loose and where sheep roam.
But on all the mountaines, which shalbe digged with the mattocke, there shall not come thither the feare of briers and thornes: but they shalbe for the sending out of bullocks, and for the treading of sheepe.
And all the hills that with a mattock are kept in order, Thither cometh not the fear of brier and thorn, And it hath been for the sending forth of ox, And for the treading of sheep!'
All the hills that were cultivated with the hoe, you shall not come there for fear of briers and thorns; but it shall be for the sending out of oxen, and for sheep to tread on.”
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.
And as for all the hills that shall be raked with a rake, the fear of thorns and briers shall not come thither, but they shall be for the ox to feed on, and the lesser cattle to tread upon.
No one will go to where there previously were gardens on fertile hillsides, because briers and thorns will cover those hillsides. They will be areas where only a few cattle and sheep and goats wander around searching for something to eat.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 7:25
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 7:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/כֹ֣ל
הֶ/הָרִ֗ים
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
בַּ/מַּעְדֵּר֙
יֵעָ֣דֵר֔וּ/ן
לֹֽא
תָב֣וֹא
שָׁ֔מָּ/ה
יִרְאַ֖ת
שָׁמִ֣יר
וָ/שָׁ֑יִת
וְ/הָיָה֙
לְ/מִשְׁלַ֣ח
שׁ֔וֹר
וּ/לְ/מִרְמַ֖ס
שֶֽׂה
וְ/כֹ֣ל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
הֶ/הָרִ֗ים
har
H2022
mountain
Art | N-mp
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
בַּ/מַּעְדֵּר֙
maʻdêr
H4576
hoe
Prep | N-ms
יֵעָ֣דֵר֔וּ/ן
ʻădar
H5737
to help
V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp | Suff
לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תָב֣וֹא
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
שָׁ֔מָּ/ה
shâm
H8033
there
Adv | Suff
יִרְאַ֖ת
yirʼâh
H3374
fear
N-fs
שָׁמִ֣יר
shâmîyr
H8068
thorn
N-ms
וָ/שָׁ֑יִת
shayith
H7898
thornbush
Conj | N-ms
וְ/הָיָה֙
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
לְ/מִשְׁלַ֣ח
mishlôwach
H4916
sending
Prep | N-ms
שׁ֔וֹר
shôwr
H7794
cattle
N-ms
וּ/לְ/מִרְמַ֖ס
mirmâç
H4823
trampling
Conj | Prep | N-ms
שֶֽׂה
seh
H7716
sheep
N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 7:25
וְ/כֹ֣ל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הֶ/הָרִ֗ים
har
H2022
"mountain"
Art | N-mp
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
בַּ/מַּעְדֵּר֙
maʻdêr
H4576
"hoe"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word is a farming tool, a type of hoe used for weeding. The KJV translates it as mattock, a tool for breaking up soil.
Definition: hoe
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: mattock. See also: Isaiah 7:25.
יֵעָ֣דֵר֔וּ/ן
ʻădar
H5737
"to help"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp | Suff
To lack means to not have enough of something or to be missing something. In the Bible, it can also mean to dig or to fail at something. This concept is used to describe various situations.
Definition: 1) to help 1a) (Qal) to help
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: dig, fail, keep (rank), lack. See also: 1 Samuel 30:19; Isaiah 7:25; Isaiah 5:6.
לֹֽא
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.
תָב֣וֹא
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
שָׁ֔מָּ/ה
shâm
H8033
"there"
Adv | Suff
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
יִרְאַ֖ת
yirʼâh
H3374
"fear"
N-fs
This Hebrew word for fear can also mean reverence or respect, especially when it comes to God. It's used to describe a feeling of awe or terror, and is often translated as 'fear' or 'dreadful' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) fear, terror, fearing 1a) fear, terror 1b) awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear) 1c) fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety 1d) revered
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] dreadful, [idiom] exceedingly, fear(-fulness). See also: Genesis 20:11; Proverbs 1:29; Psalms 2:11.
שָׁמִ֣יר
shâmîyr
H8068
"thorn"
N-ms
A thorn or sharp stone, also possibly a diamond due to its sharpness. This word is used in Exodus 28:18 and Ezekiel 28:13 to describe precious stones and in Matthew 13:7 to describe thorns that choke out God's word.
Definition: 1) thorn(s), adamant, flint 1a) thorns, thorn-bushes 1b) adamant (as sharp) 1c) a sharp stone, flint 1c1) perhaps a diamond
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: adamant (stone), brier, diamond. See also: Isaiah 5:6; Isaiah 10:17; Isaiah 7:23.
וָ/שָׁ֑יִת
shayith
H7898
"thornbush"
Conj | N-ms
This word describes a thornbush or a wild growth of weeds and briers. It's used in the Bible to talk about the wilderness or untamed areas of the earth. In the book of Isaiah, it symbolizes a place of desolation.
Definition: thorn bushes
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: thorns. See also: Isaiah 5:6; Isaiah 7:25; Isaiah 7:23.
וְ/הָיָה֙
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
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.
לְ/מִשְׁלַ֣ח
mishlôwach
H4916
"sending"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means sending or presenting something, like an offering to God or a message to someone. It is used in various contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. The word can also mean a place of dismissal or a task to be done.
Definition: outstretching Also means: mish.lo.ach (מִשְׁלוֹחַ "sending" H4916B)
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: to lay, to put, sending (forth), to set. See also: Deuteronomy 12:7; Deuteronomy 28:20; Isaiah 7:25.
שׁ֔וֹר
shôwr
H7794
"cattle"
N-ms
This word refers to cattle, like oxen or bulls, used for work, food, or sacrifices, as seen in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: 1) ox, bull, a head of cattle 1a) for plowing, for food, as sacrifice Aramaic equivalent: tor (תּוֹר "bullock" H8450)
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: bull(-ock), cow, ox, wall (by mistake for H7791 (שׁוּר)). See also: Genesis 32:6; Deuteronomy 15:19; Psalms 69:32.
וּ/לְ/מִרְמַ֖ס
mirmâç
H4823
"trampling"
Conj | Prep | N-ms
Mirmas refers to the act of trampling or a trampling place, often used to describe being trodden down. It is used in various Bible verses to convey oppression or subjugation.
Definition: 1) trampling place, trampling 1a) trampling place 1b) trampling
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: tread (down) -ing, (to be) trodden (down) under foot. See also: Isaiah 5:5; Isaiah 28:18; Isaiah 7:25.
שֶֽׂה
seh
H7716
"sheep"
N-cs
This word refers to a sheep or goat, often used to describe a flock or young animal in the Bible. It is also related to the word for lamb.
Definition: 1) one of a flock, lamb, sheep, goat, young sheep, young goat 1a) sheep, goat 1b) flock (collective) Also means: zeh (זֶה "lamb" H2089)
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: (lesser, small) cattle, ewe, goat, lamb, sheep. Compare H2089 (זֶה). See also: Genesis 22:7; Deuteronomy 14:4; Psalms 119:176.
Study Notes — Isaiah 7:25
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 7:25 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 7:25
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 7:25
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 7:25
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 7:25
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 7:25
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 7:25
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 7:25
Context — Judgment to Come
23And on that day, in every place that had a thousand vines worth a thousand shekels of silver, only briers and thorns will be found.
24Men will go there with bow and arrow, for the land will be covered with briers and thorns.
25For fear of the briers and thorns, you will no longer traverse the hills once tilled by the hoe; they will become places for oxen to graze and sheep to trample.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 7:21–22 | On that day a man will raise a young cow and two sheep, and from the abundance of milk they give, he will eat curds; for all who remain in the land will eat curds and honey. |
| 2 | Isaiah 13:20–22 | She will never be inhabited or settled from generation to generation; no nomad will pitch his tent there, no shepherd will rest his flock there. But desert creatures will lie down there, and howling creatures will fill her houses. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about. 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 5:17 | Lambs will graze as in their own pastures, and strangers will feed in the ruins of the wealthy. |
| 4 | Isaiah 17:2 | The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be left to the flocks, which will lie down with no one to fear. |
| 5 | Zephaniah 2:6 | So the seacoast will become a land of pastures, with wells for shepherds and folds for sheep. |
Isaiah 7:25 Summary
This verse, Isaiah 7:25, is describing a time when the land will be so overrun with briers and thorns that it will no longer be usable for farming or even walking. This is a picture of what happens when sin and rebellion take over, as seen in Romans 6:23, where the wages of sin is death. The good news is that God is always with us, even in the midst of difficulty, and He can bring life and hope to even the most desolate places (Isaiah 43:19). As we reflect on this verse, we can be reminded that God is our hope and our salvation, and that He can bring beauty out of ashes (Isaiah 61:3).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the briers and thorns in Isaiah 7:25?
The briers and thorns represent the desolation and destruction that will come upon the land, as seen in Isaiah 7:23, and are a result of God's judgment, similar to the desolation described in Jeremiah 25:11.
Why will the hills no longer be traversed by people?
The hills will no longer be traversed by people because of the fear of the briers and thorns, which symbolize the dangers and difficulties that will arise in the land, as also seen in Hosea 9:6, where the land is overgrown with thorns and briers.
What does it mean for the hills to become places for oxen to graze and sheep to trample?
This means that the land, which was once cultivated and productive, will become wild and uninhabitable, much like the desolate land described in Ezekiel 33:28, where the land is left to the beasts of the field.
Is this passage only referring to the physical land of Israel?
While the passage does refer to the physical land of Israel, it also has spiritual implications, as seen in Hebrews 6:8, where the land that produces thorns and thistles is contrasted with the land that produces a fruitful harvest, symbolizing the difference between a life of faith and a life of unbelief.
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'briers and thorns' in my own life that I need to be aware of, and how can I avoid them?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty, even when the world around me seems to be falling apart, like the desolate land described in this verse?
- What are some areas in my life where I have allowed 'briers and thorns' to take over, and how can I reclaim them for God's purposes?
- In what ways can I be a light in the darkness, and bring hope to those around me who may be struggling with the 'briers and thorns' of life?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 7:25
And [on] all hills that shall be digged with the mattock,.... Which could not be ploughed with a plough, but used to be dug with a mattock or spade, and then sowed with corn: there shall not come
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 7:25
That shall be digged; or, that were digged, to wit, formerly; that used to be digged and dressed for the planting of vines, or other choice fruit trees. There shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns: the words thus rendered sound like a promise, but that doth no way agree with the scope of the place. And they may be, and are by some, understood not of briers and thorns growing in those grounds, which would hinder the feeding of cattle there, but of such wherewith they were fenced, and by which the cattle were affrighted or hindered from breaking into them, which cause of their fear being now removed by the general devastation, they might now enter there, and feed at pleasure, as the next words imply. Or they may be rendered thus, as they are by a late learned interpreter, that there might not come thither, & c., which is mentioned as the reason why they were digged and dressed, that they might be freed from briers and thorns. And so there is only a defect of the Hebrew particle asher, which is frequent, and that not only as it signifies which, but as it is taken finally for that, as 10:2, and elsewhere. It shall be; or, even (as this particle is oft rendered) there shall be, to wit, a place; which word is understood, . Or the words may be thus rendered, and all hills that shall be digged— and thorns, even they or each of them shall be; the singular being taken collectively, as is very usual. For the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle; all sorts of cattle may fairly enter, and feed there, the fences being broken down, and the owners generally slain, or carried into captivity.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 7:25
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.Ver. 24. And on all the hills that shall be digged, &c.] A good translation of a text is instead of a good commentary. Some very learned render the words thus: And on the hills that had wont to be digged with mattock or spade, that no fear of brier or thorn might come thither, shall a place also be for sending in of oxen and the treading of lesser cattle; which shall range and graze freely, say they by way of gloss, after their wonted manner in those places, from whence they and their owners had formerly been ejected and excluded by the violent oppressions and undue enclosures of the richer and greater sort. Assemb. Annot.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 7:25
(25) And on all hills that shall be digged . . .—Better, “that are digged” or that used to be digged with the hoe. The picture of devastation is completed. On the hill-sides, every inch of which was once brought under careful vine culture, “Thou wilt not enter for fear of thorns and briars” i.e., thou wilt not venture on the task of tilling the soil in face of such disarrangements. What would be the use of hoeing such a tangled mass of brushwood? At the best it must be left for such pasturage as oxen and sheep might find there as they browsed, and they by their trampling should but increase the mischief. The rendering of the Authorised version conveys the thought that where there was the careful culture thus described, there should be an exception to the general desolation. Below this, if we accept it, there may be a spiritual meaning like that of Jer 4:3 (Kay).
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 7:25
25. And on all hills … mattock] And as for all the hills that used to be hoed with the mattock. Such hills were the best sites for vineyards (ch. Isaiah 5:2). there shall not come thither the fear …] This could only mean, in the present connexion, that there would be no more anxiety about thorns, &c., because the place was hopelessly overgrown by them. It is better to render with R.V. thou shalt not come thither for fear of, &c., although the construction is certainly harsh. Or the words might be taken as a continuation of the relative clause, thus: “And as for … mattock, whither no fear of thorns, &c. used to come, it shall be, &c.” This is perhaps preferable. for the sending forth of oxen] i.e. a place where oxen are sent forth (cf. ch. Isaiah 32:20). the treading (ch. Isaiah 5:5) of lesser cattle (R.V. sheep).
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 7:25
And on all hills ... - All the fertile places in the mountains that used to be cultivated with the spade.