Isaiah 42:15

KJV

I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will make waste {H2717} mountains {H2022} and hills {H1389}, and dry up {H3001} all their herbs {H6212}; and I will make {H7760} the rivers {H5104} islands {H339}, and I will dry up {H3001} the pools {H98}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will devastate mountains and hills, wither all their vegetation, turn the rivers into islands and dry up the lakes.

Berean Standard Bible

I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation. I will turn the rivers into dry land and drain the marshes.

American Standard Version

I will lay waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and will dry up the pools.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 42:15 is a profound divine declaration, powerfully portraying God's absolute sovereignty and transformative power over the natural world. Through vivid, almost cataclysmic imagery, the Lord proclaims His intention to drastically alter landscapes, turning fertile regions into barren wastes and flowing rivers into dry ground. This verse underscores God's immense might and His active willingness to enact radical, often disruptive, change to achieve His ultimate redemptive purposes, signaling a profound shift or preparation for a new divine work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the first of Isaiah's "Servant Songs" (Isaiah 42:1-9), which introduces the chosen Servant of the Lord, a figure often interpreted as a prophetic foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. While the preceding verses highlight the Servant's gentle, just, and non-violent mission to bring justice to the nations, verse 15 marks a dramatic shift in tone and focus back to the Lord Himself. It emphasizes God's own formidable power and resolve to clear all obstacles and prepare the way for the establishment of this promised justice and deliverance. The imagery of desolation serves not as an end in itself, but as a precursor to a new work, a radical transformation that God will bring about for His people, particularly concerning their return from exile and the spiritual renewal of the world. This divine action underscores that God is not passive but actively involved in history, capable of overturning the status quo to fulfill His promises, as seen in the subsequent promise of a new song and the Lord's determination to act decisively in [Isaiah 42:10-13](/isaiah/42-10-13 "Isaiah 42:10-13 - The Lord's New Song and Warrior Spirit").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history (8th century BCE), marked by the rise of Assyrian power and the looming threat of exile. The imagery of desolation and drying up of water sources would have resonated deeply with an ancient Near Eastern audience, where water was synonymous with life, fertility, and prosperity. The destruction of natural landscapes, particularly mountains (often symbols of stability and strength) and rivers (sources of life), would signify a complete and utter disruption of the established order, a divine judgment or a profound act of re-creation. This imagery is consistent with the broader prophetic tradition of God's judgment on nations and His power to reshape the world according to His will, often in preparation for a new covenant or a return from captivity, as detailed in the prophecies concerning the return from Babylon in [Isaiah 43](/isaiah/43 "Isaiah 43 - God's Deliverance and New Creation").
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several major theological and narrative themes within Isaiah. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Power**, vividly portraying God's unparalleled control over the natural world. He is not merely an observer but an active agent who can fundamentally alter landscapes, demonstrating His omnipotence. This power is exercised to bring about His will, often in ways that defy human expectation or natural order. Secondly, it speaks to **Judgment and Transformation**. The act of making mountains waste and drying up rivers signifies a profound judgment and a radical transformation. This is not destruction for its own sake, but often a necessary clearing away of existing structures or hindrances to pave the way for God's new creation or a new era of His activity. It speaks to God's ability to dismantle the old order to establish something new. Finally, this desolation is part of **Preparation for a New Work**. The destructive imagery is not the end goal but a means to an end. It suggests that God is preparing the stage for His next great act of deliverance and justice, as promised in the surrounding chapters of Isaiah. This radical transformation often precedes God's promise to [make a new way in the wilderness](/isaiah/43-19 "Isaiah 43:19 - God Makes a New Way"), providing water and paths where none existed before, symbolizing spiritual renewal and a new exodus.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Waste (Hebrew, _chârab'_):** From H2717, this primitive root means "to parch (through drought) i.e. (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill." It conveys a sense of utter ruin, decay, and complete desolation, often resulting from a lack of moisture or life-sustaining elements. In Isaiah 42:15, it emphasizes the thoroughness of God's destructive power, transforming stable geographical features into barren emptiness.
* **Dry up (Hebrew, _yâbêsh'_):** From H3001, this primitive root means "to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)." While it can carry a sense of shame, in this context, its primary meaning is the complete cessation of moisture, leading to withering and barrenness. Its repetition in the verse underscores the comprehensive nature of God's action against the life-giving elements of the earth.
* **Islands (Hebrew, _ʼîy'_):** From H339, this word properly refers to "a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island." The imagery of rivers becoming "islands" (or dry lands/coastlands) is striking, implying that the very channels of flowing water will become parched, elevated landmasses, utterly devoid of their life-sustaining flow. This signifies a reversal of nature, where what was once fluid and life-giving becomes rigid and barren.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will make waste mountains and hills,"**: This clause declares God's intention to desolate prominent, stable natural features. Mountains and hills, typically symbols of strength, permanence, and even idolatrous high places, will be rendered barren and empty, signifying a radical overturning of established order and a judgment on anything that stands against God's purposes.
* **"and dry up all their herbs;"**: Following the desolation of the terrain, God states He will remove all vegetation. "Herbs" represent the life and fertility of the land. Drying them up signifies a complete cessation of life and productivity, reinforcing the imagery of utter barrenness and the removal of all sustenance.
* **"and I will make the rivers islands,"**: This clause presents a dramatic transformation of flowing water. Rivers, vital sources of life and commerce, will be turned into dry land or elevated, isolated patches (islands), implying that their channels will no longer carry water. This is a powerful image of divine intervention that reverses the natural order and removes life-sustaining flow.
* **"and I will dry up the pools."**: The final clause reiterates the theme of desiccation, focusing on stagnant bodies of water. Pools, often gathering places for life and sustenance in arid regions, will also be completely dried up. This reinforces the comprehensive nature of God's action, leaving no water source untouched, emphasizing a total environmental upheaval.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 42:15 employs several potent literary devices to convey God's immense power and the magnitude of His intended actions. **Imagery** is central, painting a vivid picture of a landscape utterly transformed from fertile to barren. The specific images of "waste mountains and hills," "dried up herbs," "rivers islands," and "dried up pools" create a sense of profound desolation and divine intervention. This is amplified by **Hyperbole**, as the description of widespread environmental destruction goes beyond typical natural phenomena, emphasizing the extraordinary scale of God's power. The repeated phrase "I will dry up" also demonstrates **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism** in its intent, reinforcing the idea of complete desiccation through varied but related targets (herbs, pools). Furthermore, the verse uses **Anthropomorphism**, attributing direct, physical actions ("make waste," "dry up," "make") to God, emphasizing His active and personal involvement in shaping creation to fulfill His will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 42:15 profoundly articulates God's absolute sovereignty over creation and history. It reveals a God who is not merely transcendent but immanently active, capable of dismantling the very foundations of the natural world to achieve His redemptive purposes. This radical intervention, though seemingly destructive, is often presented in Isaiah as a necessary prelude to a new work, a clearing of the way for justice, deliverance, and a new covenant. It speaks to a divine logic where the old order, whether physical or spiritual, must sometimes be undone to make way for the new, ultimately for the glory of God and the salvation of His people. This theme of divine power over nature and the preparation for a new way resonates throughout Scripture.

* [Exodus 14:21](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - The Parting of the Red Sea")
* [Isaiah 35:7](/isaiah/35-7 "Isaiah 35:7 - The Desert Blooms")
* [Revelation 21:1](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - A New Heaven and a New Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 42:15 offers both a challenging and comforting truth for believers today. It reminds us that God is fully capable of overcoming any obstacle, no matter how insurmountable it may seem, and that His methods may involve radical, even unsettling, transformations. When faced with "mountains and hills" in our lives—whether they be spiritual strongholds, emotional barrenness, or practical challenges—this verse assures us of God's power to "make them waste" and clear the path. It encourages us to trust in His sovereignty, knowing that even when His actions seem disruptive or lead to a period of desolation, they are ultimately part of His larger, loving plan to bring about restoration, justice, and a new beginning. We can have confidence that the Lord is actively working, often in unseen or surprising ways, to fulfill His purposes in our lives and in the world, preparing us for something new and better.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "mountains and hills" in your life or in the world do you believe God might be preparing to "make waste" for His purposes?**
* **How does the imagery of God drying up rivers and pools challenge or comfort your understanding of His methods?**
* **In what ways might a period of "desolation" or "drying up" in your life be a precursor to God's new work or a new beginning?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply God is destructive?**

Answer: While the imagery in Isaiah 42:15 describes God's power to "make waste" and "dry up," it's crucial to understand this within the broader context of Isaiah's prophecy. This is not destruction for destruction's sake, but often a necessary act of divine judgment or a preparatory clearing of the way for a new, redemptive work. In the immediate context of the Servant Songs, this radical transformation of the landscape foreshadows the removal of obstacles for the establishment of justice and the deliverance of God's people from exile. It signifies God's absolute control and His willingness to dismantle the old order to bring about His ultimate good purposes, much like a surgeon might cut to heal. The subsequent chapters of Isaiah often speak of restoration and new creation, such as in [Isaiah 43:19](/isaiah/43-19 "Isaiah 43:19 - God Makes a New Way in the Wilderness"), where God promises to make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 42:15, with its dramatic imagery of God clearing the way through radical transformation, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The "mountains and hills" that God makes waste and the "rivers" He dries up can be understood as symbolic of the spiritual and systemic obstacles that stood between humanity and God. Jesus, as the ultimate Servant of the Lord introduced in this very chapter, came not to merely reform, but to utterly transform. He is the one who, through His life, death, and resurrection, "made waste" the power of sin and death, drying up the pools of human futility and self-righteousness. His coming inaugurated a new creation, where the old order of condemnation and separation was dismantled. Just as God prepared the way in the wilderness for Israel's return, Jesus is the ultimate "way" (as declared in [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), clearing the path for humanity to return to God. Through Him, believers become "new creations" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), experiencing a spiritual landscape transformed from barrenness to life, foreshadowing the ultimate new heavens and new earth where all things are made new by the Lamb ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - God Makes All Things New")).

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 50:2

Wherefore, when I came, [was there] no man? when I called, [was there] none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because [there is] no water, and dieth for thirst.

Nahum 1:4

He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.

Nahum 1:6

Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.

Isaiah 44:27

That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:

Revelation 20:11

¶ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Isaiah 2:12

For the day of the LORD of hosts [shall be] upon every [one that is] proud and lofty, and upon every [one that is] lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

Isaiah 2:16

And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.