Isaiah 32:12

They shall lament for the teats, for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine.

They shall lament {H5594} for the teats {H7699}, for the pleasant {H2531} fields {H7704}, for the fruitful {H6509} vine {H1612}.

Beat your breasts in mourning for the pleasant fields and fruitful vines,

Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vines,

They shall smite upon the breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine.

Commentary

Isaiah 32:12 delivers a poignant prophetic image of deep sorrow and loss, specifically lamentation over the desolation of once-fertile lands. This verse is part of a larger section in Isaiah that describes a period of judgment and barrenness that will precede a time of righteousness and blessing under a righteous king.

Context

This verse falls within Isaiah's prophecy concerning the future of Judah, specifically addressing the consequences of a people who have grown complacent and spiritually apathetic. The immediate preceding verses (Isaiah 32:9-11) call out the "careless women" and "confident daughters" to tremble and be troubled, for the land will be laid waste. The "lamenting" described in verse 12 is the direct outcome of this impending judgment, where the sources of sustenance and joy are removed. This period of desolation is a necessary prelude to the glorious reign of the king prophesied at the beginning of the chapter, a time when righteousness and justice will prevail, as seen in Isaiah 32:1.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Spiritual Apathy: The lamentation over lost prosperity is a direct result of the people's spiritual carelessness and failure to heed God's warnings. Their confidence was misplaced, leading to divine judgment.
  • Desolation and Loss of Sustenance: The imagery of "teats," "pleasant fields," and "fruitful vine" vividly portrays widespread agricultural devastation. For an agrarian society like ancient Israel, this signified the complete loss of livelihood, abundance, and joy. "Teats" (Hebrew: shadayim) here likely symbolizes the very source of fertility and nourishment, whether from productive livestock or the land itself, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the loss.
  • Reversal of Blessing: What once brought prosperity and joyโ€”the fertile land and its produceโ€”will become a cause for profound sorrow and public mourning (Hebrew: saphad, to lament or wail). This reversal serves as a stark warning about taking God's blessings for granted.

Linguistic Insights

The term "teats" (ืฉืึธื“ึทื™ึดื, shadayim) in Hebrew literally refers to "breasts," but in this agricultural context, it symbolically represents sources of nourishment and abundance, such as fertile land or productive animals. The lamentation is for the loss of this vital life source. The verb "lament" (ืกึธืคึทื“, saphad) implies a deep, public expression of grief, often involving beating the breast or wailing, signifying profound distress over the devastation. This is a common theme in prophetic books when describing judgment, as seen in Jeremiah 9:10.

Practical Application

Isaiah 32:12 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual complacency and taking God's blessings for granted. It reminds us that:

  • Stewardship is Key: We are called to be good stewards of the blessings and resources God provides, both material and spiritual. Neglecting our spiritual walk can lead to a "barrenness" in our lives.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: While God is merciful, there are often natural and spiritual consequences to disobedience or spiritual apathy. This verse illustrates the painful reality of losing what we once cherished due to our own neglect or sin.
  • Hope Beyond Desolation: Though this verse speaks of lament, it is part of a larger prophecy that ultimately points to a future of righteousness and restoration. Even in times of loss or judgment, there is always the promise of God's eventual renewal for those who turn to Him, as exemplified by the vision of a transformed landscape in Isaiah 35:1.
This lament underscores the profound impact of spiritual conditions on physical prosperity and the importance of seeking true righteousness.

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

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 20:15

    Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given [them], flowing with milk and honey, which [is] the glory of all lands;

  • Lamentations 4:3

    Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people [is become] cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.

  • Lamentations 4:4

    The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, [and] no man breaketh [it] unto them.

  • Lamentations 2:11

    Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city.

  • Deuteronomy 8:7

    For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;

  • Deuteronomy 8:8

    A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;

  • Ezekiel 20:6

    In the day [that] I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which [is] the glory of all lands:
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