Isaiah 25:7

KJV

And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he will destroy {H1104} in this mountain {H2022} the face {H6440} of the covering {H3875} cast over {H3874} all people {H5971}, and the vail {H4541} that is spread {H5259} over all nations {H1471}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On this mountain he will destroy the veil which covers the face of all peoples, the veil enshrouding all the nations.

Berean Standard Bible

On this mountain He will swallow up the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations;

American Standard Version

And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering that covereth all peoples, and the veil that is spread over all nations.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 25:7 presents a powerful prophetic declaration of God's ultimate triumph over the spiritual darkness and ignorance that have long enveloped humanity. Set on "this mountain," a symbolic reference to Mount Zion, the verse foretells a decisive, universal act of divine intervention where God will utterly remove the "covering" and "vail" that have obscured His truth and glory from all peoples and nations, ushering in an era of clear revelation and unhindered communion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 25:7 is strategically positioned within a significant eschatological section of the Book of Isaiah, often termed Isaiah's "Little Apocalypse" (chapters 24-27). This segment marks a profound shift from prophecies of global judgment to a triumphant celebration of God's redemptive work and universal reign. Immediately preceding this verse, [Isaiah 25:6](/isaiah/25-6 "Isaiah 25:6 - The Feast on Mount Zion") vividly describes a lavish, universal feast God will prepare for all peoples on Mount Zion, symbolizing abundant provision, peace, and fellowship in His kingdom. Following Isaiah 25:7, [Isaiah 25:8](/isaiah/25-8 "Isaiah 25:8 - God Swallows Up Death Forever") delivers an even more profound declaration: God will utterly swallow up death forever. Thus, verse 7 serves as a crucial theological bridge, linking God's gracious invitation and provision to His decisive act of removing the spiritual and existential barriers that have separated humanity from His life and truth, setting the stage for the ultimate victory over death itself.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While many of Isaiah's prophecies directly address the historical circumstances of Judah and its neighbors, chapters 24-27 transcend immediate historical events, projecting a grand, future-oriented eschatological vision. The "mountain" (Hebrew: _har_) in this context is universally understood as Mount Zion, the physical location of Jerusalem and the Temple. Symbolically, Mount Zion represents God's dwelling place, the center of His divine government, and the ultimate source of His revelation and salvation for the world. The imagery of a "covering" or "vail" was culturally potent in the ancient Near East, often associated with mourning, concealment, shame, or spiritual blindness. A veil could signify separation, mystery, or even the pervasive presence of death. God's act of "destroying" or "swallowing up" such a covering would have conveyed a complete, decisive, and irreversible removal of whatever obscured truth, brought sorrow, or hindered access to divine presence.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes foundational to Isaiah and broader biblical theology. It powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Eschatological Hope**, highlighting God's ultimate control over history and His unwavering promise of a future kingdom where His perfect will is fully realized. The verse also emphasizes the **Universal Scope of God's Salvation**, making it clear that His redemptive plan extends beyond Israel to encompass "all people" and "all nations," a theme consistently woven throughout Isaiah, as seen in the prophecy that [all nations will stream to the Lord's mountain](/isaiah/2-2-4 "Isaiah 2:2-4 - The Mountain of the Lord's House"). Furthermore, the removal of the "covering" and "vail" speaks directly to **Divine Revelation and the Dispelling of Spiritual Darkness**, signifying God's active unveiling of truth and the overcoming of ignorance, sin, and spiritual blindness. This act is intrinsically linked to the triumph over **Death and Sorrow**, as the veil of spiritual blindness is often intertwined with the dominion of death, which God promises to swallow up in the very next verse, [Isaiah 25:8](/isaiah/25-8 "Isaiah 25:8 - God Swallows Up Death Forever").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **destroy (Hebrew, _bâlaʻ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy." This word conveys a sense of complete and irreversible obliteration. God does not merely lift or fold the covering; He utterly consumes or devours it, indicating a permanent and decisive removal of the spiritual and existential barriers.
* **covering (Hebrew, _lôwṭ'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to wrap up," _lôwṭ_ specifically refers to "a veil" or "covering." This term, used in parallel with "vail," paints a vivid picture of something that conceals, obscures, or blinds. It implies a pervasive shroud that has kept humanity in spiritual darkness, preventing them from perceiving God's truth and glory.
* **vail (Hebrew, _maççêkâh'_):** From a root meaning "to pour over" or "to interweave," _maççêkâh_ can refer to a "molten image" or, as here, a "coverlet" or "vail." The imagery suggests something heavily cast or spread, implying a dense, pervasive, and perhaps even idol-like obstruction that has been laid over the nations, hindering their perception of divine reality and fostering spiritual blindness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he will destroy":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the Lord (Yahweh) as the sole and active agent of this profound transformation. The "He" refers to God, whose sovereign power is capable of bringing about such a monumental, decisive, and irreversible change, signifying a divine intervention beyond human capability.
* **"in this mountain":** This specifies the location where God's decisive act will take place. "This mountain" is Mount Zion, representing not merely a physical place but the spiritual center of God's kingdom, the seat of His presence, and the place of His ultimate reign. It is from this divine epicenter that the universal unveiling will emanate, radiating outwards to encompass the entire world.
* **"the face of the covering cast over all people":** This clause describes the first of two parallel obstructions. The "covering" (Hebrew: _lôwṭ_) is a powerful metaphor for spiritual blindness, ignorance, and the pervasive effects of sin that obscure divine truth. The phrase "the face of" (Hebrew: _pânîym_) suggests that this covering directly obscures humanity's perception, preventing them from seeing God's glory clearly. It is "cast over all people," emphasizing its universal reach, affecting every individual regardless of their background or origin.
* **"and the vail that is spread over all nations":** This second parallel clause reinforces the first, employing slightly different but complementary imagery. The "vail" (Hebrew: _maççêkâh_) further emphasizes the dense, pervasive nature of this spiritual obscuration. It is "spread over all nations," reiterating the global scope of this spiritual darkness. The repetition of "all" (people, nations) powerfully underscores the comprehensive nature of the spiritual problem and, by extension, the equally universal and all-encompassing extent of God's redemptive solution.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 25:7 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound and hopeful message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where "the covering" and "the vail" serve as vivid, tangible representations of intangible spiritual realities: blindness, ignorance, and the pervasive effects of sin that have obscured God's truth from humanity. These are not literal cloths but symbolic barriers to divine revelation and communion. The verse also utilizes effective **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, through its two main clauses: "the face of the covering cast over all people" and "the vail that is spread over all nations." Both phrases convey the same core idea of universal spiritual obstruction, but the repetition intensifies the message, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the problem and the thoroughness of God's solution. Furthermore, the use of **Universality** or **Hyperbole** with the repeated phrases "all people" and "all nations" underscores the global and all-encompassing reach of this spiritual darkness, which in turn highlights the equally universal scope of God's redemptive plan to remove it.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 25:7 stands as a profound theological statement about God's ultimate victory over the forces that obscure truth and bring sorrow to humanity. It speaks to a future where divine revelation will be unhindered, and all barriers to knowing God will be removed. This prophecy anticipates a time of complete spiritual clarity and universal access to God's presence, a direct consequence of His sovereign power and unwavering love for all creation. It connects deeply with the biblical narrative of salvation history, pointing towards the climax of God's redemptive work where sin's blinding effects and death's dominion are utterly vanquished, leading to a new creation where God's glory is fully unveiled.

* [2 Corinthians 3:14-16](/2_corinthians/3-14-16 "2 Corinthians 3:14-16 - The Veil Removed in Christ")
* [Habakkuk 2:14](/habakkuk/2-14 "Habakkuk 2:14 - Knowledge of God Covering the Earth")
* [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Tears")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 25:7 offers immense hope and assurance, proclaiming God's ultimate plan to dispel all spiritual ignorance and overcome the power of death and sorrow that has held humanity in its grip. For believers, it highlights the transformative power of the Gospel and the redemptive work of Christ, who effectively removes the veil, allowing us to see God's truth clearly and understand His purposes. This verse reinforces the universal scope of God's love and His desire for all nations to come to a full understanding of Him, encouraging us to participate in His mission of revealing truth. It calls us to live as people of hope, knowing that God's light will ultimately triumph over all darkness, and to share this hope with a world still shrouded in various "coverings" and "vails" of misinformation, spiritual apathy, and despair. Our mission is to shine the light of Christ, trusting that God is actively at work to remove every barrier to His glorious presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of a "covering" or "vail" resonate with your understanding of spiritual blindness and societal challenges in the world today?**
* **In what ways does this prophecy encourage you about God's ultimate plan for all humanity and the future of His kingdom?**
* **Considering that God desires to remove these veils, how can we, as His followers, participate in His work of revealing truth and dispelling darkness in our own contexts and among "all nations"?**

### FAQ
**What is the "mountain" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "mountain" in Isaiah 25:7 refers to Mount Zion, which is both the literal geographical location of Jerusalem and, more profoundly, a symbolic representation of God's dwelling place and the center of His eschatological kingdom. It is depicted as the place where God will establish His ultimate reign, reveal His glory, and extend His salvation to all nations, as also seen in the prophecy that [all nations shall flow to the mountain of the Lord's house](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2 - The Mountain of the Lord's House").

**What do the "covering" and "vail" represent in this prophecy?**

Answer: The "covering" and "vail" are powerful metaphors for the spiritual ignorance, blindness, and separation from God that have afflicted humanity since the Fall. They symbolize the pervasive darkness, misunderstanding, and sin that prevent people from truly knowing God and His truth. Furthermore, in light of the subsequent verse, [Isaiah 25:8](/isaiah/25-8 "Isaiah 25:8 - God Swallows Up Death Forever"), these veils also represent the dominion of death and sorrow that has held humanity captive, which God promises to utterly destroy.

**How is this prophecy fulfilled?**

Answer: This prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the light who came into the world to dispel spiritual darkness, and through His life, death, and resurrection, He removes the veil that separates humanity from God. His victory over death on the cross and His subsequent resurrection are the decisive acts that "swallow up" the veil of death and sorrow. This fulfillment is ongoing through the spread of the Gospel and will be fully realized in the eschatological new heavens and new earth, where God's presence will be completely unveiled for all to see, and there will be [no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Tears"), because the old order of things has passed away through Christ's victory.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 25:7 finds its profound and ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "covering" and "vail" that have obscured God's truth and dominated humanity are decisively and eternally removed by Him. As the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus's atoning sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection are the very means by which the veil of sin, spiritual blindness, and death is torn away. The Apostle Paul explicitly connects this Old Testament imagery to Christ, explaining that the veil over the hearts of those who read the Old Covenant is "taken away in Christ" (cf. [2 Corinthians 3:14-16](/2_corinthians/3-14-16 "2 Corinthians 3:14-16 - The Veil Removed in Christ")). Jesus is the true light that has come into the world, illuminating the path to God for "all people" and "all nations," fulfilling the prophecy that He would be a [light for revelation to the Gentiles](/luke/2-32 "Luke 2:32 - A Light for Revelation to the Gentiles"). The "mountain" where this destruction occurs can be seen as foreshadowing the new Jerusalem, the heavenly Mount Zion, where God's presence is fully revealed and where there will be [no more death or mourning or crying or pain](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Tears"), because the old order of things has passed away through Christ's victory. Thus, Isaiah 25:7 powerfully anticipates the universal, unveiled revelation of God's glory made possible through the redemptive work of His Son.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ephesians 4:18

Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

Matthew 27:51

And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Isaiah 60:1

¶ Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

Isaiah 60:3

And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

2 Corinthians 3:13

And not as Moses, [which] put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

2 Corinthians 3:18

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Hebrews 10:19

¶ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,