Isaiah 34:1

¶ Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.

Come near {H7126}, ye nations {H1471}, to hear {H8085}; and hearken {H7181}, ye people {H3816}: let the earth {H776} hear {H8085}, and all that is therein {H4393}; the world {H8398}, and all things that come forth {H6631} of it.

Come close, you nations, and listen! Pay close attention, you peoples! Let the earth hear, and everything in it; the world, with all it produces.

Come near, O nations, to listen; pay attention, O peoples. Let the earth hear, and all that fills it, the world and all that springs from it.

Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye peoples: let the earth hear, and the fulness thereof; the world, and all things that come forth from it.

Commentary

Isaiah 34:1 KJV serves as a dramatic and universal summons, calling all creation to attention before a declaration of divine judgment. This verse sets a powerful stage for the pronouncements that follow, emphasizing the global reach and absolute authority of God's word.

Context

This verse inaugurates a significant prophetic oracle within the Book of Isaiah, often referred to as "The Little Apocalypse" (chapters 34-35) due to its vivid descriptions of judgment and subsequent restoration. Isaiah 34 specifically focuses on God's wrath against rebellious nations, particularly Edom (though the scope is broader), while Isaiah 35 contrasts this with promises of restoration and blessing for God's people. Historically, Isaiah prophesied during a tumultuous period for Judah, facing threats from Assyria and other regional powers, and his messages often addressed both Israel's unfaithfulness and the destiny of surrounding nations.

Key Themes

  • Universal Summons: The repeated commands—"Come near," "hearken," "let the earth hear"—underscore that God's message is not confined to a specific people or land. It is a cosmic invitation for all of humanity and creation to attend to His decree. This call to attention highlights God's universal sovereignty and judicial authority over all nations and the entire world.
  • Divine Authority and Judgment: This verse serves as a solemn preamble to a declaration of God's righteous judgment. The very act of summoning "nations," "people," "earth," and "the world" demonstrates that God is the ultimate arbiter of justice, whose decrees cannot be ignored. The subsequent verses in Isaiah 34:2-17 detail the severity and totality of this impending wrath against those who oppose Him.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used, such as גּוֹיִם (goyim) for "nations" and לְאֻמִּים (le'ummim) for "people," often refer to the Gentile nations, distinct from Israel. Their inclusion here emphasizes that God's judgment extends beyond His covenant people to encompass all humanity. The imperative verbs "Come near" (קִרְבוּ, qirbu) and "hearken" (הַקְשִׁיבוּ, haqshivu) convey a sense of urgency and direct command, leaving no room for indifference.

Practical Application

Isaiah 34:1 reminds us that God's word is not merely for a select few but is a universal message demanding attention from everyone. It calls us to:

  • Listen Attentively: Just as the nations were commanded to hear, we too are called to seriously consider God's pronouncements, whether they speak of judgment or salvation.
  • Acknowledge God's Sovereignty: This verse powerfully illustrates that God is the ultimate authority over all creation. Understanding His dominion should inspire both reverence and a desire to live in accordance with His will.
  • Consider the Consequences: While this chapter speaks of judgment, it implicitly calls for repentance. Recognizing God's power to judge should motivate individuals and nations to seek His mercy and align with His righteous standards, as highlighted in the broader prophetic message of turning back to God.
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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

  • 1 Corinthians 10:26

    For the earth [is] the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

  • Isaiah 43:9

    Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, [It is] truth.

  • Isaiah 1:2

    ¶ Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

  • Isaiah 41:1

    ¶ Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew [their] strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.

  • Deuteronomy 32:1

    ¶ Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

  • Isaiah 33:13

    ¶ Hear, ye [that are] far off, what I have done; and, ye [that are] near, acknowledge my might.

  • Micah 6:1

    ¶ Hear ye now what the LORD saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice.
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