King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
When it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Just as the forest will surely come down, the city will surely be laid low.
Berean Standard Bible:
But hail will level the forest, and the city will sink to the depths.
American Standard Version:
But it shall hail in the downfall of the forest; and the city shall be utterly laid low.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
When it shall hail{H1258}, coming down{H3381} on the forest{H3293}; and the city{H5892} shall be low{H8213} in a low place{H8218}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Isaiah 28:17
- Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
Isaiah 30:30
- And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of [his] anger, and [with] the flame of a devouring fire, [with] scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.
Isaiah 28:2
- Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, [which] as a tempest of hail [and] a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.
Isaiah 26:5
- ¶ For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, [even] to the ground; he bringeth it [even] to the dust.
Zechariah 11:2
- Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down.
Nahum 1:8
- But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
Nahum 1:1
- ¶ The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
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Commentary for Isaiah 32:19
Isaiah 32:19 is part of a larger prophecy found in Isaiah chapters 32-33, which speaks about the future restoration of Israel and the establishment of righteousness and justice. The verse itself uses vivid imagery to convey a message of sudden destruction, likely as a result of God's judgment. The mention of hail coming down on the forest symbolizes the fierce and indiscriminate nature of the divine judgment that will affect even the wild, untamed areas represented by the forest. The phrase "the city shall be low in a low place" suggests that human-built structures and perhaps the pride of the city will be brought down to the ground, emphasizing the humbling effect of God's wrath.
Historically, this verse would have resonated with the people of Judah, who were familiar with the prophetic tradition of using natural disasters as metaphors for divine judgment. During the time of Isaiah, the southern kingdom of Judah was under threat from foreign powers, and the prophets often warned of impending doom if the people did not repent and return to righteous living. The themes of judgment and the leveling of pride are common in the prophetic books, as they serve as calls to humility and reliance on God rather than on human strength or fortifications.
In summary, Isaiah 32:19 reflects the broader biblical theme of divine judgment, using the imagery of a hailstorm and the destruction of a city to illustrate the consequences of turning away from God's laws. It underscores the transient nature of human achievements and the ultimate authority of God over all creation, calling the listeners to consider their spiritual state and the impermanence of earthly security.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1258
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּרַד
Transliteration: bârad
Pronunciation: baw-rad'
Description: a primitive root,; to hail; hail. - Strong's Number: H3381
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָרַד
Transliteration: yârad
Pronunciation: yaw-rad'
Description: a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications); [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. - Strong's Number: H3293
There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יַעַר
Transliteration: yaʻar
Pronunciation: yah'-ar
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to thicken with verdure; a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees); (honey-) comb, forest, wood. - Strong's Number: H5892
There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עִיר
Transliteration: ʻîyr
Pronunciation: eer
Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. - Strong's Number: H8213
There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁפֵל
Transliteration: shâphêl
Pronunciation: shaw-fale'
Description: a primitive root; to depress or sink (expectation figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive); abase, bring (cast, put) down, debase, humble (self), be (bring, lay, make, put) low(-er). - Strong's Number: H8218
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שִׁפְלָה
Transliteration: shiphlâh
Pronunciation: shif-law'
Description: feminine of שֶׁפֶל; depression; low place.