King James Version

What Does Isaiah 41:15 Mean?

Isaiah 41:15 in the King James Version says “Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them s...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 41 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff. teeth: Heb. mouths”

Isaiah 41:15 · KJV

Context

13

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

14

Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. men: or, few men

15

Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff. teeth: Heb. mouths

16

Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.

17

When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

Read Isaiah 41 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God transforms the worm into a threshing instrument ('morag chadash'—new sharp threshing sledge) with teeth, able to thresh mountains and beat hills to chaff. This dramatic reversal shows God's power to take the weakest and make them instruments of His purposes. The 'newness' suggests fresh empowerment, not human strength.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This promised Israel would not remain helpless victims but would, through God's empowerment, overcome obstacles that seemed as immovable as mountains—returning to rebuild despite opposition.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's pattern of using weak instruments for great purposes encourage you?
  2. What 'mountains' in your life need God's transforming power to turn you into His threshing instrument?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
הִנֵּ֣ה1 of 13
H2009

lo!

תָּשִֽׂים׃2 of 13

“Behold I will make”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לְמוֹרַג֙3 of 13

“threshing”

H4173

a threshing sledge

חָר֣וּץ4 of 13

“sharp”

H2742

properly, incised or (active) incisive; hence (as noun masculine or feminine) a trench (as dug), gold (as mined), a threshing-sledge (having sharp tee

חָדָ֔שׁ5 of 13

“thee a new”

H2319

new

בַּ֖עַל6 of 13

“instrument having”

H1167

a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)

פִּֽיפִיּ֑וֹת7 of 13

“teeth”

H6374

an edge or tooth

תָּד֤וּשׁ8 of 13

“thou shalt thresh”

H1758

to trample or thresh

הָרִים֙9 of 13

“the mountains”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וְתָדֹ֔ק10 of 13

“and beat them small”

H1854

to crush (or intransitively) crumble

וּגְבָע֖וֹת11 of 13

“the hills”

H1389

a hillock

כַּמֹּ֥ץ12 of 13

“as chaff”

H4671

chaff (as pressed out, i.e., winnowed or (rather) threshed loose)

תָּשִֽׂים׃13 of 13

“Behold I will make”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

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 41:15 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 41:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Micah 4:132 Corinthians 10:4-5Zechariah 4:7Habakkuk 3:12Isaiah 21:10Isaiah 28:27

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