Isaiah 32:15

Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.

Until the spirit {H7307} be poured {H6168} upon us from on high {H4791}, and the wilderness {H4057} be a fruitful field {H3759}, and the fruitful field {H3759} be counted {H2803} for a forest {H3293}.

till the Spirit is poured out on us from above, and the desert becomes a fertile field, with the fertile field regarded as a forest.

until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high. Then the desert will be an orchard, and the orchard will seem like a forest.

until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness become a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be esteemed as a forest.

Commentary

Isaiah 32:15 is a prophetic verse that paints a vivid picture of future restoration and abundance, contingent upon a divine spiritual intervention. It describes a radical transformation of the land and, by extension, the people, from barrenness to unprecedented fruitfulness.

Context

This verse is found within a section of Isaiah (chapters 28-35) that contrasts God's judgment on unrighteousness with His ultimate plan for salvation and restoration. Specifically, Isaiah 32 foretells the reign of a righteous king (often understood as the Messiah) who will bring justice and peace. The verses immediately preceding Isaiah 32:15 lament the desolation and spiritual apathy that will precede this glorious future. The transformation described in verse 15 is the catalyst and hallmark of this new era, signaling the end of spiritual drought and the beginning of divine flourishing.

Key Themes

  • The Outpouring of the Spirit: The phrase "Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high" highlights the Holy Spirit as the primary agent of divine transformation. This speaks to a lavish and abundant giving of God's presence and power, vital for all spiritual renewal and national restoration. This concept is echoed in later prophecies, notably the outpouring of the Spirit in Joel 2:28 and its fulfillment at Pentecost in Acts 2.
  • Radical Transformation: The imagery of the "wilderness be a fruitful field" signifies a complete reversal of barrenness and desolation. It speaks to spiritual revitalization, moral renewal, and even literal environmental flourishing. This transformation extends further, as the "fruitful field be counted for a forest," implying an even greater, more profound, and self-sustaining abundance—a natural, dense, and awe-inspiring growth beyond typical cultivation.
  • Messianic Kingdom Age: This prophecy points to a future time, often associated with the Messianic or Kingdom age, when God's reign will bring about ultimate peace, justice, and prosperity. It's a vision of God's ultimate design for creation and humanity.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "spirit" (ruach) can mean wind, breath, or spirit, often referring to God's life-giving and empowering presence. The verb "poured upon" (nâtsakh) suggests a generous, overflowing abundance, not just a trickle. The progression from "wilderness" (midbar) to "fruitful field" (karmel, a cultivated garden or orchard) to "forest" (ya'ar, a dense, wild growth) illustrates an escalating scale of blessing and divine abundance, moving from utter barrenness to cultivated productivity, and finally to a state of rich, natural, and overflowing growth.

Significance and Application

Isaiah 32:15 offers profound hope and a vision for the future. It reminds us that:

  • God is the Source of Transformation: True and lasting change, whether personal, societal, or environmental, comes through the sovereign work of God's Spirit. We are to earnestly pray for and anticipate this divine intervention.
  • Desolation is Not Permanent: Even in times of spiritual or physical barrenness, this verse assures us of God's power to bring forth life, beauty, and fruitfulness. It encourages patience and faith in God's timing for renewal.
  • A Glimpse of God's Ultimate Plan: This verse points to a future where God's presence transforms all things, bringing about a level of abundance and flourishing that surpasses our current understanding. It inspires us to live in light of this glorious future, trusting in God's promise to make all things new, a promise also seen in the promise of God's Spirit enabling obedience and renewal.

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 29:17

    ¶ [Is] it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?

  • Ezekiel 39:29

    Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Isaiah 44:3

    For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

  • Isaiah 59:19

    So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

  • Isaiah 60:22

    A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.

  • Titus 3:5

    Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

  • Titus 3:6

    Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;