Isaiah 14:25

That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.

That I will break {H7665} the Assyrian {H804} in my land {H776}, and upon my mountains {H2022} tread him under foot {H947}: then shall his yoke {H5923} depart {H5493} from off them, and his burden {H5448} depart {H5493} from off their shoulders {H7926}.

I will break Ashur in my land, I will trample him down on my mountains. Then his yoke will fall off them, his burden be removed from their shoulders."

I will break Assyria in My land; I will trample him on My mountain. His yoke will be taken off My people, and his burden removed from their shoulders.”

that I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulder.

Commentary

Isaiah 14:25 presents a powerful declaration from God concerning His direct intervention to liberate His people from the oppressive power of the Assyrian Empire. It is a promise of divine judgment against an enemy and assured deliverance for Israel.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Isaiah (chapters 13-23) containing prophecies against various foreign nations. While the immediate preceding verses (Isaiah 14:3-23) focus on a taunt against the king of Babylon, Isaiah 14:24-27 shifts the prophetic focus to Assyria, another major oppressive power of the ancient Near East during Isaiah's time. The Assyrian Empire was notorious for its brutal military campaigns, forced deportations, and heavy tributes, which greatly threatened Judah and had already conquered the northern kingdom of Israel (Samaria) in 722 BC. God declares that He will "break the Assyrian" in His own land, referring to the territory of Judah, specifically Jerusalem, where the Assyrian king Sennacherib's army would later face a miraculous defeat (as recorded in Isaiah 37:36 and 2 Kings 19:35).

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The phrase "That I will break the Assyrian" underscores God's absolute control over all nations and His power to bring down even the most formidable empires. It emphasizes that no earthly power can ultimately thwart His plans or oppress His people indefinitely without facing His judgment. This illustrates God's ultimate authority over all earthly kingdoms.
  • Deliverance and Liberation: The promise "then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders" vividly describes the freedom and relief God would bring to His people. The "yoke" and "burden" symbolize the heavy taxation, forced labor, and oppressive rule imposed by the Assyrians. God's intervention guarantees an end to this servitude.
  • God's Faithfulness to His Covenant: Despite Israel's failings, God remains faithful to His covenant promises to protect and deliver His people. This prophecy serves as a powerful reminder of His unwavering commitment to His chosen nation.

Linguistic Insights

The terms "yoke" (Hebrew: motah) and "burden" (Hebrew: sevel) are powerful metaphors. A "yoke" was a wooden beam placed around the necks of oxen to harness them for plowing or pulling heavy loads, symbolizing servitude and oppression. A "burden" refers to a heavy load carried. Together, they paint a clear picture of the crushing weight of Assyrian domination and the liberation God would provide. The declaration "I will break" (Hebrew: shabar) signifies a complete and decisive destruction, not merely a weakening.

Practical Application

Isaiah 14:25 offers enduring hope and reassurance for believers today. Just as God intervened to deliver His people from the Assyrian yoke, He remains sovereign over all forms of oppression and difficulty in our lives. This verse reminds us that:

  • God is in Control: Even when facing overwhelming challenges or oppressive circumstances, we can trust that God has ultimate authority.
  • Hope in Deliverance: We can find confidence in God's power to provide relief from spiritual, emotional, or physical burdens. He is the ultimate deliverer, capable of breaking any "yoke" that binds us.
  • Trust in His Promises: God's word is reliable, and His promises of deliverance and justice will be fulfilled in His perfect timing. This truth encourages us to persevere in faith, knowing that God will never abandon His people.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 9:4

    For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.

  • Isaiah 37:36

    Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they [were] all dead corpses.

  • Isaiah 37:38

    And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

  • Nahum 1:13

    For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.

  • 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 30:33

    For Tophet [is] ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made [it] deep [and] large: the pile thereof [is] fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.

  • Isaiah 10:32

    As yet shall he remain at Nob that day: he shall shake his hand [against] the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.
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