King James Version

What Does Isaiah 30:24 Mean?

Isaiah 30:24 in the King James Version says “The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the s...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Isaiah 30:24 · KJV

Context

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

26

Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.

Read Isaiah 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender (וְהָאֲלָפִים וְהָעֲיָרִים עֹבְדֵי הָאֲדָמָה בְּלִיל חָמִיץ יֹאכֵלוּ)—Even working animals eat belil chamits (clean, salted fodder). The adjective chamits means seasoned, savory, or fermented—higher quality than ordinary straw. Animals that ovdey (work, serve) the land receive premium food. Which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan—The verbs mizreh (winnowing shovel) and rachath (winnowing fork/fan) describe grain processing that separates wheat from chaff. Applying this to animal fodder suggests exceptional prosperity—even livestock eat what might feed humans in lean times.

This detail reveals God's comprehensive care in restoration. He doesn't neglect even draft animals. The principle echoes Deuteronomy 25:4: 'Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn'—workers deserve good provision. Paul applies this spiritually: ministers of the gospel should receive support (1 Corinthians 9:9-11). The eschatological dimension: when God fully restores creation, even the animal realm experiences abundance. Romans 8:19-21 describes creation's liberation from futility—this includes livestock eating 'clean provender' rather than scrounging. It's a preview of the peaceable kingdom where all creatures flourish under Messiah's rule.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient farmers typically fed working animals basic straw or stubble. Winnowed, salted fodder was human-grade grain. Isaiah's vision of such abundance that even oxen eat premium food would astonish his agricultural audience. This hyperbolic blessing imagery appears throughout prophetic literature describing restoration (Joel 2:24-26; Amos 9:13-14)—nature itself superabundantly fruitful.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's concern for working animals' provision challenge exploitation of creation for human benefit without care for the creatures themselves?
  2. What does it mean that restoration blesses not just humans but the entire created order?
  3. How does Paul's use of the 'don't muzzle the ox' principle spiritualize this physical blessing into New Covenant realities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וְהָאֲלָפִ֣ים1 of 11

“The oxen”

H504

a family; also (from the sense of yoking or taming) an ox or cow

וְהָעֲיָרִ֗ים2 of 11

“likewise and the young asses”

H5895

properly, a young ass (as just broken to a load); hence an ass-colt

עֹֽבְדֵי֙3 of 11

“that ear”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה4 of 11

“the ground”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

בְּלִ֥יל5 of 11

“provender”

H1098

mixed, i.e., (specifically) feed (for cattle)

חָמִ֖יץ6 of 11

“clean”

H2548

seasoned, i.e., salt provender

יֹאכֵ֑לוּ7 of 11

“shall eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֲשֶׁר8 of 11
H834

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

זֹרֶ֥ה9 of 11

“which hath been winnowed”

H2219

to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow

בָרַ֖חַת10 of 11

“with the shovel”

H7371

a winnowing-fork (as blowing the chaff away)

וּבַמִּזְרֶֽה׃11 of 11

“and with the fan”

H4214

a winnowing shovel (as scattering the chaff)

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 30:24 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 30:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 45:6Deuteronomy 25:41 Corinthians 9:9-10Deuteronomy 21:4Luke 3:17Exodus 34:21

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