King James Version

What Does Isaiah 25:8 Mean?

Isaiah 25:8 in the King James Version says “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his peo...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Isaiah 25:8 · KJV

Context

6

And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.

7

And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. destroy: Heb. swallow up cast: Heb. covered

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

Read Isaiah 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This prophetic declaration announces death's ultimate defeat, one of the Old Testament's clearest statements on resurrection and eternal life. 'He will swallow up death in victory' (bala ha-mavet la-netsach, בָּלַע הַמָּוֶת לָנֶצַח) uses vivid imagery—death, which devours humanity, will itself be devoured. The verb bala (swallow, engulf) depicts complete consumption. 'In victory' or 'forever' (netsach) indicates permanent, irreversible conquest. Paul quotes this in 1 Corinthians 15:54 regarding Christ's resurrection: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' The second promise: 'The Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces' anticipates complete sorrow's end. Revelation 21:4 echoes this in the new creation vision. 'The rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth' means shame, reproach, and disgrace God's people suffered will be removed universally. The final authority: 'for the LORD hath spoken it' (ki Yehovah diber) guarantees absolute certainty—God's word cannot fail.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah 25 appears within the 'Isaiah Apocalypse' (chapters 24-27), prophesying final judgment and ultimate restoration. Death reigned from Adam (Romans 5:14), humanity's universal enemy. Ancient Near Eastern religions offered little hope beyond death—Sheol was shadowy existence, not resurrection glory. This prophecy was revolutionary, declaring death's conquest. Jesus's resurrection accomplished this victory (1 Corinthians 15:20-26), defeating death by experiencing it and rising. The early church faced martyrdom courageously, believing death was defeated. This promise sustained persecuted believers through centuries—present tears are temporary; eternal joy awaits. Modern believers facing death, grief, or suffering cling to this certainty: death's days are numbered; complete victory is guaranteed.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the promise of death's ultimate defeat change your perspective on mortality, grief, and present suffering?
  2. In what ways can you live now in light of this future certainty that God will wipe away every tear?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
בִּלַּ֤ע1 of 19

“He will swallow up”

H1104

to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy

הַמָּ֙וֶת֙2 of 19

“death”

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

לָנֶ֔צַח3 of 19

“in victory”

H5331

properly, a goal, i.e., the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objecti

וּמָחָ֨ה4 of 19

“will wipe away”

H4229

properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e., grease or make fat

אֲדֹנָ֧י5 of 19

“and the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֛ה6 of 19

“GOD”

H3069

god

דִּמְעָ֖ה7 of 19

“tears”

H1832

weeping

מֵעַ֣ל8 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל9 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

פָּנִ֑ים10 of 19

“from off all faces”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וְחֶרְפַּ֣ת11 of 19

“and the rebuke”

H2781

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

עַמּ֗וֹ12 of 19

“of his people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

יָסִיר֙13 of 19

“shall he take away”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

מֵעַ֣ל14 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל15 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָאָ֔רֶץ16 of 19

“from off all the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כִּ֥י17 of 19
H3588

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

יְהוָ֖ה18 of 19

“for the LORD”

H3068

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

דִּבֵּֽר׃19 of 19

“hath spoken”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

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 25:8 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 25:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 21:4Revelation 7:171 Corinthians 15:54Hosea 13:141 Corinthians 15:26Isaiah 35:10

Test Your Knowledge

Isaiah 25 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterIsaiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Isaiah 25 with CommentaryAll Isaiah ChaptersComplete Isaiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes