King James Version

What Does Isaiah 34:7 Mean?

Isaiah 34:7 in the King James Version says “And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, ...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. unicorns: or, rhinocerots soaked: or, drunken”

Isaiah 34:7 · KJV

Context

5

For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment.

6

The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea.

7

And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. unicorns: or, rhinocerots soaked: or, drunken

8

For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.

9

And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.

Read Isaiah 34 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The "unicorns" (Hebrew "re'em", wild oxen) and bulls represent powerful leaders brought low. The land "soaked with blood" (Hebrew "rivvah") indicates saturation, complete judgment. This prophetic perfect tense depicts future events as accomplished facts, demonstrating God's sovereignty over history. The agricultural land becoming blood-soaked reverses God's blessing, recalling Eden's curse where the ground drank Abel's blood (Genesis 4:10-11).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Wild oxen were symbols of strength and fertility in the ancient world. Their slaughter represented the complete overthrow of Edom's power structures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the judgment of the strong and mighty reveal God's opposition to prideful power?
  2. What does the reversal of blessing to curse teach about covenant faithfulness?
  3. How should this shape our view of worldly strength and success?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְיָרְד֤וּ1 of 12

“shall come down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

רְאֵמִים֙2 of 12

“And the unicorns”

H7214

a wild bull (from its conspicuousness)

עִמָּ֔ם3 of 12
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

וּפָרִ֖ים4 of 12

“with them and the bullocks”

H6499

a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)

עִם5 of 12
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אַבִּירִ֑ים6 of 12

“with the bulls”

H47

a valiant one

וְרִוְּתָ֤ה7 of 12

“shall be soaked”

H7301

to slake the thirst (occasionally of other appetites)

אַרְצָם֙8 of 12

“and their land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִדָּ֔ם9 of 12

“with blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

וַעֲפָרָ֖ם10 of 12

“and their dust”

H6083

dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud

מֵחֵ֥לֶב11 of 12

“with fatness”

H2459

fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part

יְדֻשָּֽׁן׃12 of 12

“made fat”

H1878

to be fat; transitively, to fatten (or regard as fat); specifically to anoint; figuratively, to satisfy; to remove (fat) ashes (of sacrifices)

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 34:7 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 34:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 68:30Numbers 23:22Jeremiah 50:27Psalms 92:10Jeremiah 50:11Jeremiah 46:21

Test Your Knowledge

Isaiah 34 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterIsaiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Isaiah 34 with CommentaryAll Isaiah ChaptersComplete Isaiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes