King James Version

What Does Isaiah 30:23 Mean?

Isaiah 30:23 in the King James Version says “Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, ...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.”

Isaiah 30:23 · KJV

Context

21

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

22

Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence. thy graven: Heb. the graven images of thy silver cast: Heb. scatter

23

Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.

24

The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan. clean: or, savoury: Heb. leavened

25

And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall. high hill: Heb. lifted up, etc

Read Isaiah 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then shall he give the rain of thy seed (וְנָתַן מְטַר זַרְעֲךָ)—After spiritual renewal (v. 22), material blessing follows. The verb natan (give) emphasizes God as source. Rain for your zera (seed) means timely rains that germinate crops. And bread of the increase of the earth—The Hebrew lechem (bread) from tevuah (produce, yield) indicates abundant harvests. It shall be fat and plenteous (וְהָיָה דָשֵׁן וְשָׁמֵן)—Both adjectives dashen and shamen mean rich, oily, fertile—emphasizing superabundant provision. The covenantal blessing of Deuteronomy 28:1-14 is restored.

In that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures—Even livestock prosper in kar nirchav (large, spacious pasture). This comprehensive blessing—crops for humans, pasture for animals—reverses the curse of drought and scarcity that came with idolatry (Deuteronomy 28:15-24). The progression is theological: first, remove idols (v. 22); second, receive covenant blessings (v. 23). Spiritual health precedes material prosperity, not vice versa. This contradicts prosperity gospel that promises material blessing without repentance. Biblical order always: seek first God's kingdom and righteousness, and material needs will be provided (Matthew 6:33).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Israel's agricultural economy made rain the difference between survival and starvation. Drought was covenant curse for disobedience (Leviticus 26:19-20; Deuteronomy 28:23-24). Baal worship partly stemmed from Canaanite belief that Baal controlled rain. Isaiah's prophecy assures: Yahweh alone sends rain; abandon idols and He will bless you. This was fulfilled in various reformations and restorations throughout Israel's history.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the biblical order of spiritual renewal before material blessing challenge modern prosperity teaching?
  2. What does it mean that God promises both 'bread' for humans and 'pasture' for cattle—comprehensive care for all life?
  3. How should Christians understand material prosperity: as automatic blessing for obedience, or as gracious gift that may or may not accompany faithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְנָתַן֩1 of 19

“Then shall he give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

מְטַ֨ר2 of 19

“the rain”

H4306

rain

זַרְעֲךָ֜3 of 19

“of thy seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

אֲשֶׁר4 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תִּזְרַ֣ע5 of 19

“that thou shalt sow”

H2232

to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify

אֶת6 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה7 of 19

“of the earth”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

וְלֶ֙חֶם֙8 of 19

“withal and bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

תְּבוּאַ֣ת9 of 19

“of the increase”

H8393

income, i.e., produce (literally or figuratively)

הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה10 of 19

“of the earth”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

וְהָיָ֥ה11 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

דָשֵׁ֖ן12 of 19

“and it shall be fat”

H1879

fat; figuratively, rich, fertile

וְשָׁמֵ֑ן13 of 19

“and plenteous”

H8082

greasy, i.e., gross; figuratively, rich

יִרְעֶ֥ה14 of 19

“feed”

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

מִקְנֶ֛יךָ15 of 19

“shall thy cattle”

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

בַּיּ֥וֹם16 of 19

“in that day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֖וּא17 of 19
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

כַּ֥ר18 of 19

“pastures”

H3733

a ram (as full-grown and fat), including a battering-ram (as butting)

נִרְחָֽב׃19 of 19

“in large”

H7337

to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative)

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 30:23 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 30:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 8:11-12Isaiah 32:20Psalms 65:9-13Malachi 3:10Amos 4:7-8Psalms 36:8

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