Isaiah 25:2

For thou hast made of a city an heap; [of] a defenced city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built.

For thou hast made {H7760} of a city {H5892} an heap {H1530}; of a defenced {H1219} city {H7151} a ruin {H4654}: a palace {H759} of strangers {H2114} to be no city {H5892}; it shall never {H5769} be built {H1129}.

For you have made a city a heap of stones, turned a fortified city into rubble, made the foreigners' fortress a city that will never be rebuilt.

Indeed, You have made the city a heap of rubble, the fortified town a ruin. The fortress of strangers is a city no more; it will never be rebuilt.

For thou hast made of a city a heap, of a fortified city a ruin, a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built.

Commentary

Context of Isaiah 25:2

Isaiah chapter 25 is part of a prophetic section (chapters 24-27) sometimes called Isaiah's "Little Apocalypse," focusing on universal judgment and ultimate salvation. Coming immediately after a description of widespread desolation in chapter 24, Isaiah 25:2 presents a specific reason for the prophet's praise in verse 1: God's decisive action against a powerful, oppressive "city." This "city" is often interpreted symbolically as any human kingdom, empire, or stronghold that stands in defiance of God and oppresses His people, such as Babylon or Assyria, or even a broader representation of the "city of man" built on pride and self-sufficiency, in contrast to the eternal city of God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The verse powerfully declares God's absolute authority and power to dismantle human strongholds. He is not merely a passive observer but the ultimate ruler who orchestrates the rise and fall of nations. The destruction described is complete and irreversible, emphasizing God's omnipotence over earthly kingdoms.
  • Justice for the Oppressed: The "palace of strangers" likely refers to the seat of power of a foreign, oppressive regime. Its transformation into "no city" signifies God's righteous judgment against those who have afflicted His people. This theme offers comfort and hope to those suffering under tyranny, reminding them that God is a God of justice.
  • Permanence of God's Decrees: The phrase "it shall never be built" highlights the finality and irrevocability of God's judgment. Unlike human empires that rise and fall, God's decree brings about a permanent end to that specific power's influence and existence, signifying a decisive triumph over evil. This contrasts sharply with the eternal nature of God's own kingdom.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV text uses vivid imagery to convey utter destruction: "heap," "ruin," and "no city."

  • The Hebrew word for "heap" (gāl) often refers to a pile of stones or ruins, emphasizing the complete demolition of a once-standing structure.
  • "Defenced city" translates from mibtsār, denoting a fortified, seemingly impregnable stronghold, highlighting that even the strongest human defenses are no match for God's power.
  • "Palace of strangers" combines ṭīrah (which can mean an encampment, a wall, or a palace/fortress) with zārīm (foreigners, strangers). This emphasizes that the destroyed entity was a foreign, oppressive power that had no rightful place or lasting foundation.
The repetition and progression from "city" to "heap," "defenced city" to "ruin," and "palace of strangers" to "no city" underscores the thoroughness and permanence of this divine judgment.

Practical Application

Isaiah 25:2 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Hope Amidst Oppression: For those facing oppressive systems or unjust authorities, this verse is a powerful reminder that no human power is ultimate. God sees injustice and will, in His time, bring down those who defy Him and oppress His people. This echoes the ultimate fall of oppressive systems seen in Revelation 18:21.
  • Humility for the Powerful: It serves as a stern warning to those in positions of power, reminding them that all earthly authority is temporary and subject to God's ultimate decree. Pride and self-reliance lead to ruin.
  • Trust in God's Plan: The verse reinforces the truth of God's sovereignty over nations and history. We can trust that His plans, though sometimes mysterious, are always just and will ultimately lead to the triumph of His kingdom.

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 13:22 (4 votes)

    And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in [their] pleasant palaces: and her time [is] near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.

  • Isaiah 17:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from [being] a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.

  • Isaiah 25:12 (3 votes)

    And the fortress of the high fort of thy walls shall he bring down, lay low, [and] bring to the ground, [even] to the dust.

  • Isaiah 21:9 (2 votes)

    And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, [with] a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.

  • Revelation 18:2 (2 votes)

    And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

  • Revelation 18:3 (2 votes)

    For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

  • Revelation 18:19 (2 votes)

    And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.