King James Version

What Does Isaiah 25:10 Mean?

Isaiah 25:10 in the King James Version says “For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill . trodden down under: or, threshed, etc trodden down for: or, threshed in Madmenah”

Isaiah 25:10 · KJV

Context

8

He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

9

And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

10

For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill . trodden down under: or, threshed, etc trodden down for: or, threshed in Madmenah

11

And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim: and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands.

12

And the fortress of the high fort of thy walls shall he bring down, lay low, and bring to the ground, even to the dust.

Read Isaiah 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest (כִּי־תָנוּחַ יַד־יְהוָה בָּהָר הַזֶּה)—Mount Zion becomes the resting place of God's yad (hand, power). The verb nuach (rest, settle, remain) indicates permanent presence. God's hand, which scattered enemies, now rests protectively on His people. And Moab shall be trodden down under him—Suddenly the verse pivots from Israel's blessing to Moab's judgment. Moab, Israel's ancient enemy (descended from Lot, Genesis 19:37), represents all who oppose God's purposes. The verb dush (thresh, trample) describes grain being trampled on threshing floors.

Even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill (כְּהִדּוּשׁ מַתְבֵּן בְּמוֹ מַדְמֵנָה)—The Hebrew madmenah (dunghill, manure pit) is literally 'Madmenah,' punning on a Moabite city while meaning dung. Straw trampled into manure pits becomes worthless waste. This harsh imagery contrasts Israel's exaltation with enemies' humiliation. Moab's pride (Isaiah 16:6) receives its comeuppance. The theological principle: God's blessing on His people necessitates judgment on His enemies. These aren't separate realities but two sides of one coin. When God's hand rests on Zion, it presses down on Moab. The kingdom's establishment defeats all opposition—a theme Revelation depicts as Christ treading the winepress of God's wrath (Revelation 19:15).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Moab had been Israel's rival since the wilderness period. They hired Balaam to curse Israel (Numbers 22-24), oppressed Israel during the Judges (Judges 3:12-30), and showed hostility through the monarchy. By Isaiah's time, Moab represented the type of enemy who mocked God's people (Zephaniah 2:8-10). Their judgment symbolizes all anti-God powers' ultimate defeat.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's blessing on His people necessarily involve judgment on His enemies—and why can't these be separated?
  2. What does Moab represent in Christian experience—what enemies of faith must be 'trodden down' for God's kingdom to rest?
  3. How should believers balance rejoicing in God's triumph with grief over the wicked's destruction?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
כִּֽי1 of 13
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תָנ֥וּחַ2 of 13

“rest”

H5117

to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l

יַד3 of 13

“shall the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

יְהוָ֖ה4 of 13

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בָּהָ֣ר5 of 13

“For in this mountain”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

הַזֶּ֑ה6 of 13
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כְּהִדּ֥וּשׁ7 of 13

“is trodden down”

H1758

to trample or thresh

מוֹאָב֙8 of 13

“and Moab”

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

תַּחְתָּ֔יו9 of 13
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

כְּהִדּ֥וּשׁ10 of 13

“is trodden down”

H1758

to trample or thresh

מַתְבֵּ֖ן11 of 13

“under him even as straw”

H4963

straw in the heap

בְּמ֥יֹ12 of 13
H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

מַדְמֵנָֽה׃13 of 13
H4087

a dunghill

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 25:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 25:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zephaniah 2:9Isaiah 25:6Isaiah 18:4Isaiah 26:6Zephaniah 3:15-17Amos 2:1-3

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
Moab 1Region · Modern: Kerak · 31.18°N, 35.70°E162 verses across 22 books
View all places in Isaiah 25 →

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