King James Version

What Does Isaiah 30:25 Mean?

Isaiah 30:25 in the King James Version says “And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the gr... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Isaiah 30:25 · KJV


Context

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.

27

Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire: burden: or, grievousness of flame heavy: Heb. heaviness


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
There shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters (וְהָיָה עַל־כָּל־הַר גָּבֹהַּ וְעַל־כָּל־גִּבְעָה נִשָּׂאָה פְּלָגִים יִבְלֵי־מָיִם)—Mountains and hills, normally dry, will have pelagim (streams, channels) and yivley-mayim (watercourses). This supernatural fertility reverses desert conditions. In the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall—The phrase yom herev rav (day of great slaughter) refers to judgment on God's enemies. Towers (migdalim) symbolize military and economic power. Their falling accompanies God's people's blessing—another instance where restoration involves judgment.

The juxtaposition startles: abundant streams flow during slaughter's day. Blessing and judgment occur simultaneously. While enemy towers collapse, covenant people experience Eden-like abundance. This dual reality characterizes eschatology: Christ's return brings salvation for believers, judgment for unbelievers (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10). The water imagery alludes to Ezekiel 47:1-12 and Zechariah 14:8—rivers flowing from Jerusalem, healing all they touch. Revelation 22:1-2 describes the river of life flowing from God's throne. These visions aren't merely figurative; they promise real transformation of physical creation under Messiah's rule. Deserts bloom (Isaiah 35:1-7), springs burst forth, and creation itself is renewed.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's geography made water precious. Mountains and hills, especially in Judean wilderness, were arid. Cisterns collected scarce rain. The vision of streams on every mountain represents total environmental transformation. This may partially fulfill in millennial kingdom; ultimate fulfillment awaits New Earth where the river of life flows (Revelation 22). The 'great slaughter' likely refers to Armageddon (Revelation 16:16; 19:17-21) when God destroys armies gathered against Jerusalem.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the simultaneous blessing (streams) and judgment (slaughter) reveal God's justice in rewarding faithfulness and punishing rebellion?
  2. What does water flowing on dry mountains symbolize about the gospel's power to bring life where death once reigned?
  3. How should believers balance hope for restoration with awareness that it comes through judgment on wickedness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְהָיָ֣ה׀1 of 17
H1961

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

עַל2 of 17
H5921

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

כָּל3 of 17
H3605

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

הַ֣ר4 of 17

mountain

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

גָּבֹ֗הַ5 of 17

And there shall be upon every high

H1364

elevated (or elated), powerful, arrogant

וְעַל֙6 of 17
H5921

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

כָּל7 of 17
H3605

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

גִּבְעָ֣ה8 of 17

hill

H1389

a hillock

נִשָּׂאָ֔ה9 of 17

and upon every high

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

פְּלָגִ֖ים10 of 17

rivers

H6388

a rill (i.e., small channel of water, as in irrigation)

יִבְלֵי11 of 17

and streams

H2988

a stream

מָ֑יִם12 of 17

of waters

H4325

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

בְּיוֹם֙13 of 17

in the 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

הֶ֣רֶג14 of 17

slaughter

H2027

slaughter

רָ֔ב15 of 17

of the great

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

בִּנְפֹ֖ל16 of 17

fall

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

מִגְדָּלִֽים׃17 of 17

when the towers

H4026

a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers


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 30:25 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 30:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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