Isaiah 32:15

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 32:15 is a profound prophetic declaration foretelling a radical spiritual and environmental transformation contingent upon a divine outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It envisions a future era where barrenness and desolation are utterly reversed, as a wilderness becomes a highly productive, cultivated field, and that cultivated field, in turn, is esteemed as a dense, self-sustaining forest, signifying an unprecedented, escalating abundance and flourishing brought about by God's sovereign intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a section of Isaiah (chapters 28-35) that masterfully weaves together themes of judgment and future restoration. Immediately preceding [Isaiah 32:15](/isaiah/32-15 "Isaiah 32:15 - The Spirit's Outpouring") are laments concerning the desolation and spiritual apathy that will afflict Judah due to their unfaithfulness and reliance on human wisdom rather than God. [Isaiah 32:9-14](/isaiah/32-9-14 "Isaiah 32:9-14 - Warning to Complacent Women") specifically addresses the complacent women of Jerusalem, predicting a period of severe hardship and desolation for the land and its cities. Verse 15 then introduces a dramatic shift, presenting the divine outpouring of the Spirit as the pivotal turning point that will usher in an era of righteousness, peace, and unparalleled fruitfulness, directly contrasting the preceding bleak prophecies and setting the stage for the glorious description of the righteous king's reign that follows in [Isaiah 32:16-20](/isaiah/32-16-20 "Isaiah 32:16-20 - The Reign of Righteousness").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah prophesied during the tumultuous period of the Assyrian Empire's dominance (8th century BCE), a time marked by political instability, moral decay, and spiritual decline in Judah and Israel. The imagery of "wilderness" and "fruitful field" would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society dependent on rainfall and fertile land for survival. A "wilderness" (Hebrew: *midbâr*) was a desolate, uncultivated area, often used for grazing but unproductive for crops, symbolizing hardship and divine judgment. A "fruitful field" (Hebrew: *karmel*) represented a highly productive, cultivated area, a symbol of blessing and prosperity. The transformation from wilderness to fruitful field, and then to a forest, would have been understood as a miraculous, supernatural reversal of fortunes, far beyond natural agricultural improvements, underscoring the divine power at work.
* **Key Themes:** [Isaiah 32:15](/isaiah/32-15 "Isaiah 32:15 - The Spirit's Outpouring") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Isaiah. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Intervention**, asserting that true and lasting transformation, whether spiritual or physical, emanates solely from God's initiative, specifically through the outpouring of His Spirit. Secondly, it develops the theme of **Radical Restoration**, portraying a future where desolation is not merely alleviated but utterly reversed and surpassed by an abundance that defies natural expectations, moving from barrenness to cultivated land and then to a dense, self-sustaining forest. This imagery points to a comprehensive renewal. Finally, it strongly foreshadows the **Messianic Age**, where the spiritual and physical landscape will be transformed under the reign of a righteous king, bringing about an era of justice, peace, and unparalleled flourishing, as further described in [Isaiah 32:16-20](/isaiah/32-16-20 "Isaiah 32:16-20 - The Reign of Righteousness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **spirit (Hebrew, _rûwach'_):** H7307 - From רוּחַ; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions); air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). In this context, *rûwach* refers to the divine Spirit of God, indicating His life-giving, empowering, and transforming presence. Its "blowing" or "breathing" nature suggests an active, dynamic force that brings about profound change.
* **poured (Hebrew, _ʻârâh'_):** H6168 - A primitive root; to be (causatively, make) bare; hence, to empty, pour out, demolish; leave destitute, discover, empty, make naked, pour (out), rase, spread self, uncover. The verb *ʻârâh* here signifies a lavish, abundant, and complete emptying or pouring out. It implies not a mere trickle, but an overwhelming deluge of the Spirit, indicating a generous and comprehensive divine impartation that saturates and transforms.
* **fruitful field (Hebrew, _karmel'_):** H3759 - From כֶּרֶם; a planted field (garden, orchard, vineyard or park); by implication, garden produce; full (green) ears (of corn), fruitful field (place), plentiful (field). The term *karmel* denotes a highly cultivated, productive, and fertile area, often associated with vineyards or orchards, symbolizing prosperity and blessing. Its transformation from "wilderness" and then being "counted for a forest" emphasizes an escalating degree of divine blessing and productivity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high":** This clause establishes the prerequisite and source of the coming transformation. The "spirit" (*rûwach*), refers to the Holy Spirit, the divine agent of God's power and presence. The phrase "poured upon us" (*ʻârâh*) indicates a lavish, abundant, and comprehensive outpouring, signifying a profound and pervasive spiritual renewal for the people. "From on high" emphasizes the divine, heavenly origin of this intervention, highlighting that this transformation is not humanly initiated but a sovereign act of God.
* **"and the wilderness be a fruitful field":** This segment describes the initial, dramatic stage of the transformation. The "wilderness" (*midbâr*), a symbol of desolation, barrenness, and judgment, is miraculously transformed into a "fruitful field" (*karmel*), a highly cultivated, productive, and fertile land. This imagery speaks to a reversal of spiritual and physical barrenness, signifying a transition from a state of spiritual drought and moral decay to one of vitality, productivity, and blessing.
* **"and the fruitful field be counted for a forest":** This final clause illustrates an even greater, more profound, and perhaps unexpected escalation of abundance. The "fruitful field" (*karmel*), already a symbol of prosperity, is now "counted for" or esteemed as a "forest" (*yaʻar*). A forest, while not typically cultivated for crops, represents dense, natural, self-sustaining, and awe-inspiring growth, often indicating wild, untamed abundance. This suggests a level of flourishing that surpasses even the most productive human cultivation, implying a divine, supernatural abundance and resilience that is beyond human capacity to achieve or even fully comprehend.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 32:15 is rich in **Imagery**, painting vivid pictures of landscape transformation to convey spiritual truths. The progression from "wilderness" to "fruitful field" to "forest" employs **Progression** or **Climax**, illustrating an escalating scale of divine blessing and abundance, moving from utter barrenness to cultivated productivity, and finally to a state of rich, natural, and overflowing growth that transcends human effort. This transformation also functions as a powerful **Metaphor** for the spiritual renewal of the people and the land, where spiritual desolation is replaced by a vibrant, Spirit-filled life. The dramatic nature of the change, particularly the "fruitful field" being "counted for a forest," borders on **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extraordinary and supernatural extent of God's restorative power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 32:15 profoundly articulates God's ultimate plan for restoration, highlighting the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in bringing about comprehensive renewal. It teaches that true transformation, whether of individuals, communities, or the physical world, originates from a sovereign, generous outpouring of God's Spirit, reversing all forms of barrenness and desolation. This divine intervention ushers in an era of righteousness, peace, and unprecedented fruitfulness, pointing to the eschatological hope of God's kingdom where His presence will bring about ultimate flourishing. The verse underscores that human effort alone cannot achieve such radical change; it requires a divine catalyst, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant promises even in times of judgment.

* [Joel 2:28](/joel/2-28 "Joel 2:28 - Prophecy of the Spirit's Outpouring")
* [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - New Heart and Spirit")
* [Acts 2:17-18](/acts/2-17-18 "Acts 2:17-18 - Peter's Sermon on Pentecost")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 32:15 offers a powerful message of hope and a call to active faith in the midst of any "wilderness" we may experience, whether personal, communal, or global. It reminds us that periods of desolation, spiritual apathy, or moral decay are not permanent. God, in His sovereign timing and through the abundant outpouring of His Spirit, possesses the power to transform the most barren landscapes into places of extraordinary fruitfulness and flourishing. This verse encourages us to earnestly pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives, our churches, and our world, trusting that He alone can bring about the radical renewal that surpasses all human expectation and effort. It challenges us to look beyond our current circumstances with eyes of faith, anticipating God's transformative work, and to live in a manner that reflects the coming kingdom of righteousness and peace, even as we await its full manifestation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or community do I currently see "wilderness" or barrenness?**
* **How does the promise of the Spirit's outpouring encourage me to pray for transformation in these areas?**
* **What does it mean for a "fruitful field" to be "counted for a forest" in a spiritual sense, and how can I pursue this escalating abundance in my walk with God?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the progression from "wilderness" to "fruitful field" to "forest"?**

Answer: This progression signifies an escalating and miraculous degree of transformation and abundance brought about by God's Spirit. The "wilderness" represents desolation, barrenness, and the effects of judgment or spiritual drought, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 2:2](/jeremiah/2-2 "Jeremiah 2:2 - Israel's Wilderness Journey"). The "fruitful field" symbolizes a state of cultivated productivity, blessing, and recovery, often associated with divine favor. The final stage, the "fruitful field" being "counted for a forest," implies a level of natural, dense, self-sustaining, and wild abundance that far exceeds typical human cultivation. It suggests an overflowing, resilient, and awe-inspiring flourishing that is entirely God-given and beyond human capacity, pointing to the supernatural work of the Spirit.

**Does this prophecy have a literal fulfillment or is it purely spiritual?**

Answer: Like many Old Testament prophecies, Isaiah 32:15 can be understood to have both literal and spiritual dimensions. Historically, it points to a period of restoration for Israel after judgment. Spiritually, it speaks to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of individuals and communities, bringing spiritual vitality where there was barrenness. The ultimate fulfillment is often seen in the Messianic age, where the reign of Christ brings about comprehensive renewal, impacting both the spiritual condition of humanity and the very creation itself ([Romans 8:19-23](/romans/8-19-23 "Romans 8:19-23 - Creation Groans for Redemption")). The imagery of a transformed earth can be seen as a promise of the new heavens and new earth ([Revelation 21:1](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - New Heaven and New Earth")), where God's Spirit fully indwells and transforms all things.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 32:15 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The "spirit poured upon us from on high" is directly realized in the New Covenant era, initiated by Christ's redemptive work. Jesus, as the promised righteous King of [Isaiah 32:1](/isaiah/32-1 "Isaiah 32:1 - The Righteous King"), came to establish His kingdom, and His ascension paved the way for the sending of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, as promised in [John 14:16-17](/john/14-16-17 "John 14:16-17 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit"). The dramatic transformation from "wilderness" to "fruitful field" and then to "forest" powerfully illustrates the spiritual regeneration experienced by believers. Through Christ, those who were spiritually dead and barren, like a desolate wilderness, are made alive and fruitful by the indwelling Spirit ([Ephesians 2:1-5](/ephesians/2-1-5 "Ephesians 2:1-5 - Made Alive in Christ")). The Holy Spirit empowers believers to bear abundant spiritual fruit ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")) and transforms the church into a vibrant, growing, and self-sustaining spiritual "forest," a testament to God's overflowing grace and power. This prophecy, therefore, points not only to a future eschatological reality but also to the present reality of the Spirit's work in the lives of those united with Christ, bringing life, abundance, and righteousness where there was once spiritual desolation.

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 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;