Isaiah 32:13

KJV

Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns [and] briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy [in] the joyous city:

KJV (with Strong's)

Upon the land {H127} of my people {H5971} shall come up {H5927} thorns {H6975} and briers {H8068}; yea, upon all the houses {H1004} of joy {H4885} in the joyous {H5947} city {H7151}:

Complete Jewish Bible

for the land of my people, producing thorns and briars, for all the happy homes in the joyful city.

Berean Standard Bible

and for the land of my people, overgrown with thorns and briers— even for every house of merriment in this city of revelry.

American Standard Version

Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 32:13 delivers a stark prophetic warning of impending desolation upon the land of Judah and its capital, Jerusalem. This verse vividly portrays the consequences of spiritual complacency and disobedience, where once-fertile ground and vibrant urban centers will be consumed by thorns and briers, symbolizing neglect, ruin, and the profound loss of joy and prosperity. It serves as a powerful reminder that spiritual apathy leads to barrenness, setting the stage for a later promise of divine restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 32:13 is situated within a broader prophetic oracle (Isaiah 32:9-20) that addresses the complacent women of Jerusalem and, by extension, the entire nation of Judah. The verses immediately preceding (Isaiah 32:9-12) issue a direct warning to these women, urging them to tremble and be troubled because their perceived security and "houses of joy" would soon be laid waste. This particular verse (Isaiah 32:13) then elaborates on the nature of this desolation, describing the physical manifestation of judgment upon the land and its urban centers. This section of judgment (Isaiah 32:9-14) serves as a necessary prelude to the glorious promise of spiritual renewal and transformation that follows, where the Spirit will be poured out from on high, turning the wilderness into a fruitful field and the fruitful field into a forest, bringing righteousness, peace, and security, as seen in [Isaiah 32:15-20](/isaiah/32-15-20 "Isaiah 32:15-20 - The Spirit Poured Out and Renewal").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies of Isaiah were delivered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, primarily in the 8th century BCE, marked by the rising Assyrian Empire's threat to the Southern Kingdom. Jerusalem, as the capital, was considered impregnable by many of its inhabitants, fostering a sense of false security and spiritual apathy. The phrase "the joyous city" reflects Jerusalem's historical and cultural significance as the center of Israelite worship, festivals, and national pride, a place where joy and celebration were meant to abound, especially during pilgrim feasts. The imagery of "thorns and briers" encroaching upon cultivated land and even urban dwellings would have been a potent symbol to an agrarian society, signifying a reversal of order, a return to wildness, and a complete cessation of productive human activity, often associated with divine curse as seen in [Deuteronomy 29:23](/deuteronomy/29-23 "Deuteronomy 29:23 - Land Desolation as a Consequence of Disobedience").

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Isaiah and broader biblical prophecy. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment and Consequence**, illustrating that spiritual complacency and disobedience inevitably lead to severe consequences, both physical and spiritual. The desolation described is a direct result of the people's turning away from God. Secondly, it underscores the **Fragility of Human Security and Prosperity** when disconnected from divine favor. The "houses of joy" and the "joyous city" are revealed to be vulnerable to ruin despite their past vibrancy. Thirdly, the imagery of "thorns and briers" emphasizes the theme of **Spiritual Barrenness and Neglect**, where what was once cultivated and fruitful becomes wild and unproductive, mirroring the spiritual state of the people. This desolation, however, is not the final word, as it sets the stage for God's ultimate plan of restoration and the outpouring of His Spirit, transforming barrenness into fruitfulness, as we see in [Isaiah 35:1-2](/isaiah/35-1-2 "Isaiah 35:1-2 - The Desert Blossoms").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **land (Hebrew, _ʼădâmâh'_):** From H127, this word refers to "soil (from its general redness); country, earth, ground, husband(-man) (-ry), land." In this context, it specifically denotes the cultivated ground of Judah, the very source of sustenance and prosperity for the people. Its impending overgrowth by thorns and briers signifies a reversal of the divine blessing that made the land fruitful, indicating a return to a wild, untamed, and unproductive state, a consequence of their spiritual neglect.

* **shall come up (Hebrew, _ʻâlâh'_):** From H5927, this primitive root means "to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative." Here, it vividly describes the aggressive and pervasive growth of the thorns and briers, not merely appearing but "coming up" or "ascending" to dominate the landscape. This active verb emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the desolation, implying a force that overtakes and consumes what was once ordered and cultivated.

* **thorns (Hebrew, _qôwts'_):** From H6975, this word literally means "a thorn; thorn," derived from a root suggesting "pricking." Paired with "briers" (shâmîyr, H8068), it represents wild, unproductive, and harmful vegetation. Biblically, thorns are often associated with the curse upon creation due to sin (e.g., [Genesis 3:18](/genesis/3-18 "Genesis 3:18 - The Curse of Thorns and Thistles")), symbolizing hardship, futility, and the reversal of order. Their presence here signifies the land's return to a state of wildness and the cessation of human cultivation and flourishing, a direct consequence of divine judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns [and] briers":** This clause pronounces a judgment of agricultural and environmental desolation. The "land of my people" refers specifically to Judah, God's chosen nation, emphasizing that even their promised inheritance is not immune to the consequences of disobedience. The phrase "shall come up" suggests an unstoppable, pervasive growth of wild, unproductive, and harmful vegetation, symbolizing the reversal of blessing and the onset of a cursed, uncultivated state. This imagery speaks to a profound loss of sustenance, order, and the very foundation of their societal well-being.

* **"yea, upon all the houses of joy [in] the joyous city":** This second clause extends the judgment from the agricultural land to the urban centers, specifically Jerusalem, the "joyous city." The "houses of joy" refer to homes, palaces, and public buildings where celebration, prosperity, and communal life once thrived. The prophecy declares that even these symbols of human flourishing and happiness will be overtaken by the wild, thorny growth, indicating a complete cessation of normal life, mirth, and security. It highlights the stark contrast between past joy and future ruin, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the divine judgment and the pervasive impact of spiritual decline.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 32:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of impending judgment. **Symbolism** is central, with "thorns and briers" serving as powerful symbols of desolation, neglect, and the reversal of divine blessing. These wild plants represent the uncultivated, unproductive, and even dangerous state that the land and city will revert to, echoing the curse of [Genesis 3:18](/genesis/3-18 "Genesis 3:18 - The Curse of Thorns and Thistles"). The phrase "houses of joy" and "joyous city" provides a stark **Contrast** with the encroaching wilderness. This juxtaposition highlights the profound loss of happiness, security, and prosperity that will accompany the judgment, emphasizing the severity of the spiritual decline that led to such a fate. The verse also utilizes **Prophetic Imagery**, painting a vivid and concrete picture of future events to impress upon the audience the reality and gravity of God's impending action. The imagery is not merely descriptive but prescriptive, declaring what *will* happen as a consequence of the people's spiritual state.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 32:13 powerfully illustrates the biblical principle that disobedience and spiritual complacency lead to desolation, both physical and spiritual. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, which includes both blessings for obedience and curses for rebellion. The "thorns and briers" motif, rooted in the Genesis curse, signifies a return to a state of hardship and unfruitfulness when humanity rejects divine order. This judgment is not arbitrary but a righteous consequence of a people who have neglected their relationship with God and become self-assured in their own strength and perceived prosperity. Yet, within Isaiah's broader message, such judgment often serves as a painful but necessary prelude to purification and ultimate restoration, demonstrating God's sovereign control over history and His ultimate redemptive purposes.

* [Deuteronomy 29:23](/deuteronomy/29-23 "Deuteronomy 29:23 - Land Desolation as a Consequence of Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 4:26-27](/jeremiah/4-26-27 "Jeremiah 4:26-27 - Judah's Desolation Due to Sin")
* [Hosea 10:8](/hosea/10-8 "Hosea 10:8 - Thorns and Thistles Covering Altars of Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 32:13 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual complacency and the dangers of taking God's blessings for granted. Just as a physical land left untended will inevitably be overgrown by thorns and briers, so too will our lives, communities, and even our churches become barren and unproductive if we neglect our spiritual cultivation. This verse calls us to examine the "land" of our own hearts: are we actively tending to our relationship with God, nurturing spiritual disciplines, and pursuing righteousness, or are we allowing the "thorns and briers" of sin, apathy, and worldly distractions to choke out the fruitfulness of the Spirit? True joy and lasting prosperity, both individually and communally, are not found in material possessions or perceived security, but in a vibrant, obedient relationship with God. This prophecy reminds us that genuine flourishing is a gift from God, sustained by our faithfulness, and its absence is a stark indicator of spiritual decline, urging us to repent and return to the source of all life and joy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might spiritual complacency be allowing "thorns and briers" to grow, choking out joy and fruitfulness?**
* **How does the concept of a "joyous city" becoming desolate challenge my own assumptions about security and prosperity?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate my spiritual "land" and prevent barrenness?**
* **How can our community or church guard against the spiritual apathy that leads to desolation?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "thorns and briers" in biblical prophecy and particularly in Isaiah 32:13?**

Answer: In biblical prophecy, "thorns and briers" are potent symbols with deep theological significance, often representing desolation, divine judgment, and the reversal of blessing. Their origin traces back to the curse in [Genesis 3:17-18](/genesis/3-17-18 "Genesis 3:17-18 - The Curse of Thorns and Thistles") upon the ground after Adam's sin, where the earth would produce thorns and thistles as a sign of hardship and futility in labor. In Isaiah 32:13, their "coming up" upon the "land of my people" and "houses of joy" signifies a return to a wild, unproductive, and cursed state. It symbolizes the abandonment of cultivated land, the cessation of human flourishing, and the profound loss of joy and prosperity that results from spiritual neglect and disobedience. It's a visual metaphor for the spiritual barrenness that consumes a people who have turned away from God, making what was once fruitful and joyful become desolate and unwelcoming.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The desolation described in Isaiah 32:13, marked by "thorns and briers" overtaking the land and "houses of joy," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the reversal of the curse of sin through Jesus Christ. The thorns, which symbolize the curse and the futility of a fallen world, were literally placed upon Christ's head in the form of a crown during His passion ([Matthew 27:29](/matthew/27-29 "Matthew 27:29 - Jesus' Crown of Thorns")). In this profound act, Jesus, the true [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the full weight of humanity's sin and the curse associated with it, including the thorns and briers that plague the fallen creation. His suffering and death on the cross redeemed us from the curse of the law ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse")), transforming the very symbols of desolation into instruments of salvation. Through Christ's atoning work, the spiritual wilderness of our hearts can be made fruitful, and the "houses of joy" that were once desolate by sin can be restored to true and eternal joy in His presence. The ultimate hope offered in Isaiah 32, of the Spirit being poured out to transform the wilderness into a fruitful field ([Isaiah 32:15](/isaiah/32-15 "Isaiah 32:15 - The Spirit Poured Out and Renewal")), is fully realized in the New Covenant through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who cultivates righteousness, peace, and joy in believers, anticipating the new heavens and new earth where there will be no more curse and God will dwell with His people ([Revelation 21:1-5](/rev/21-1-5 "Revelation 21:1-5 - The New Heavens and New Earth")).

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

Isaiah 22:2

Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, a joyous city: thy slain [men are] not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle.

Isaiah 7:23

And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, it shall [even] be for briers and thorns.

Isaiah 34:13

And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, [and] a court for owls.

Hosea 9:6

For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant [places] for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns [shall be] in their tabernacles.

Isaiah 6:11

Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,

Hosea 10:8

The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

Isaiah 5:6

And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.