Isaiah 5:25

KJV

Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases [were] torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore is the anger {H639} of the LORD {H3068} kindled {H2734} against his people {H5971}, and he hath stretched forth {H5186} his hand {H3027} against them, and hath smitten {H5221} them: and the hills {H2022} did tremble {H7264}, and their carcases {H5038} were torn {H5478} in the midst {H7130} of the streets {H2351}. For all this his anger {H639} is not turned away {H7725}, but his hand {H3027} is stretched out {H5186} still.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is why ADONAI's anger blazed up against his people, why he stretched out his hand against them and struck them [so hard that] the hills shook, and corpses lay like trash in the streets. Even after all this, his anger remains, his upraised hand still threatens.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore the anger of the LORD burns against His people; His hand is raised against them to strike them down. The mountains quake, and the corpses lay like refuse in the streets. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.

American Standard Version

Therefore is the anger of Jehovah kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them; and the mountains tremble, and their dead bodies are as refuse in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 5:25 delivers a chilling pronouncement of divine judgment, vividly depicting the LORD's righteous and unyielding wrath against His disobedient people, Judah and Israel. It details the catastrophic physical and societal consequences of their persistent rebellion, manifesting in a land convulsed by divine power and widespread death. The verse culminates with the somber declaration that despite the severe calamities already inflicted, God's anger remains unappeased and His hand of judgment is still extended, underscoring the profound depth of their sin and the unwavering, persistent nature of divine justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a climactic and terrifying culmination of the "Song of the Vineyard" (Isaiah 5:1-7) and the subsequent series of "woes" (Isaiah 5:8-24). The "Song" metaphorically portrays Israel as a vineyard meticulously cultivated by God, yet yielding only "wild grapes"—a powerful metaphor for their pervasive injustice and unrighteousness. Following this, Isaiah meticulously lists specific societal sins that have provoked divine wrath: insatiable greed leading to land accumulation, rampant drunkenness and revelry, the perversion of justice, arrogant self-sufficiency, and spiritual blindness that confuses good with evil. Verse 25 directly links these transgressions to the ensuing divine punishment, unequivocally stating that the described devastation is a direct, deserved consequence of Israel's persistent covenant breaking and moral decay. It stands as a stark warning, emphasizing that the Lord's patience has reached its limit, and judgment is now actively being executed, with devastating effects on both the people and the very land they inhabit.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah's prophetic ministry spanned the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah in Judah (c. 740-681 BC), a tumultuous period characterized by political instability, profound social injustice, and widespread idolatry. While Judah experienced periods of prosperity, moral and spiritual decay were rampant, mirroring the sins of the northern kingdom of Israel, which was either on the brink of, or had already experienced, conquest by Assyria. The imagery of trembling hills and scattered corpses would have resonated deeply with a people intimately familiar with the ravages of warfare, siege, and natural disasters, which were often interpreted as direct manifestations of divine punishment. The "stretched forth hand" of God would have been understood as a powerful, direct act of divine intervention, a concept deeply ingrained in their national consciousness from the Exodus narrative, where God's outstretched hand brought plagues upon Egypt and miraculously delivered His people (e.g., [Exodus 3:20](/exodus/3-20 "Exodus 3:20 - God's Mighty Hand")). The vivid description of "carcases torn in the midst of the streets" paints a gruesome picture of public humiliation, utter defeat, and the profound disgrace of being left unburied, a significant cultural indignity that underscored the totality of the judgment.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 5:25 powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent within Isaiah's prophecy and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment and Wrath**, portraying God's anger not as an impulsive human emotion, but as a holy, righteous, and necessary response to persistent sin, covenant infidelity, and societal corruption. This divine wrath is a manifestation of His justice, not a contradiction of His love (see also [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness")). Another prominent theme is the **Severity of Consequences for Disobedience**, illustrating that God's justice is unwavering and that persistent rebellion leads to catastrophic outcomes, affecting both the physical landscape and the social fabric. The imagery of a trembling earth and widespread death underscores the terrifying reality of opposing the Creator's will, echoing similar descriptions of cosmic and societal upheaval found in other prophetic books like [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/4 "Jeremiah 4 - Judah's Coming Destruction"). Finally, the chilling concluding phrase, "For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still," introduces the theme of **Unrelenting Justice and Impending Further Judgment**. It powerfully conveys that the initial acts of discipline have not brought about genuine repentance, and thus, God's disciplinary hand remains active, poised for continued and intensified punishment until His righteous purposes are fulfilled or a profound turning back to Him occurs.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **anger (Hebrew, _ʼaph'_):** This word, literally meaning "nose" or "nostril," is used figuratively to denote the rapid, heavy breathing associated with intense emotion, particularly "ire" or "wrath." In Isaiah 5:25, it signifies the profound, righteous indignation of the LORD, which has been "kindled" by the unfaithfulness, moral corruption, and covenant breaking of His people. It is not a capricious or irrational emotion but a just and holy response to their deliberate and persistent sin.
* **stretched forth (Hebrew, _nâṭâh'_):** This primitive root means "to stretch or spread out," and by implication, "to bend away." While in other contexts it can signify aid, protection, or blessing (e.g., stretching out a tent), here, coupled with "hand" and the context of judgment, it unequivocally denotes a powerful, direct, and active divine intervention to inflict punishment. It emphasizes God's deliberate, intentional, and forceful action in bringing about the calamities described, signifying an active posture of judgment.
* **tremble (Hebrew, _râgaz'_):** This root describes a "quivering" or "shaking" with any violent emotion, particularly fear or anger. When applied to the "hills," it conveys a sense of cosmic upheaval, instability, and terror, indicating the immense power and destructive force unleashed by God's wrath. It suggests that the divine judgment is so profound and overwhelming that even the seemingly immutable natural world is affected, underscoring the terrifying and inescapable nature of God's righteous indignation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people":** This opening clause establishes the direct causal link between the people's pervasive sin (as detailed in the preceding "woes") and the manifestation of God's righteous wrath. The term "kindled" signifies a burning, active indignation that has been provoked to a point of eruption, indicating that divine judgment is not arbitrary but a just, provoked response to their rebellion.
* **"and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them":** This describes the active execution of God's judgment. The "stretched forth hand" represents God's direct, powerful, and deliberate intervention, signifying His active involvement in bringing about the punishment. The verb "smitten" (from _nâkâh_) emphasizes the decisive, devastating, and injurious nature of the divine blow, indicating a severe and impactful infliction of punishment.
* **"and the hills did tremble, and their carcases [were] torn in the midst of the streets":** This clause vividly depicts the catastrophic consequences of God's smiting. The "trembling hills" illustrate the cosmic magnitude of the divine wrath, impacting even the natural world, suggesting widespread devastation and a disruption of the very foundations of the earth. The gruesome image of "carcases torn in the midst of the streets" paints a stark picture of public death, desecration, and utter defeat, signifying a complete breakdown of societal order, dignity, and life, likely a result of war, famine, or pestilence.
* **"For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still":** This chilling concluding statement underscores the unrelenting and persistent nature of God's justice in this specific context. Despite the severe judgment already inflicted—the land's upheaval and widespread death—the people have not repented or turned back to God. Therefore, God's wrath remains active, and His hand is poised to inflict further, ongoing punishment, highlighting both the profound stubbornness of the people and the unwavering commitment of God to see His righteous purposes fulfilled.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 5:25 is exceptionally rich with **Imagery** that vividly portrays the severity and scope of God's judgment. The "kindled anger" evokes the potent image of a consuming fire, signifying intense, destructive wrath. The "stretched forth hand" is a powerful **Anthropomorphism**, depicting God as an active, powerful agent of punishment, directly intervening in human affairs. The phrase "hills did tremble" employs **Hyperbole** to emphasize the cosmic scale and terrifying impact of divine wrath, suggesting that even the stable earth cannot withstand His displeasure. This also functions as **Personification**, attributing human-like fear or reaction to inanimate geographical features, further enhancing the sense of overwhelming dread. The "carcases torn in the midst of the streets" is a stark, gruesome image of death, public humiliation, and utter devastation, designed to shock the audience and impress upon them the totality of the catastrophe. Finally, the repetition of the core idea in the concluding phrase, "For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still," acts as a powerful **Refrain** or **Repetition**, underscoring the relentless, unyielding, and ongoing nature of God's judgment until genuine repentance occurs or His righteous decree is fully accomplished.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 5:25 profoundly illustrates the biblical truth that God's intrinsic holiness and justice demand a righteous response to sin. It reveals that divine judgment is not an arbitrary act but an inherent aspect of His character, a just and necessary consequence of persistent rebellion and unrepentant transgression against His covenant. The verse emphasizes the terrifying reality of God's active wrath, demonstrating that His patience, though vast and long-suffering, has limits. When those limits are reached, the consequences are severe, far-reaching, and impact both the physical world and human society. It serves as a somber reminder that God is not to be trifled with, and His commitment to righteousness is unwavering, even when it involves disciplining His own chosen people to bring them to repentance or to demonstrate the gravity of sin.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 4:23-26](/jeremiah/4-23-26 "Jeremiah 4:23-26 - Desolation of Judah")
* [Lamentations 2:1-5](/lamentations/2-1-5 "Lamentations 2:1-5 - God's Anger Against Zion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 5:25, though a daunting and severe passage, offers profound and timeless lessons for contemporary believers. It compels us to confront the gravity of sin and the unwavering nature of God's justice, challenging any tendency to trivialize disobedience or presume upon divine grace. In a world that often downplays the concept of sin or seeks to redefine God's character as solely loving and permissive, this verse serves as a potent reminder that His holiness demands accountability and that He is a God who judges unrighteousness. It calls us to cultivate a deep reverence for God's authority and a serious consideration of our own obedience to His commands. We are challenged to examine our lives for any areas of unrepentant sin, spiritual complacency, or a lack of genuine fruit, understanding that continued rebellion can lead to severe consequences, even for those who claim to be His people. This passage should drive us to genuine introspection, profound humility, and a fervent desire for repentance, recognizing that God's hand of discipline, while painful, is ultimately aimed at restoration, sanctification, and conformity to His righteous character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be taking God's grace for granted, and what practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper reverence for His holiness and justice?**
* **How does the concept of God's "stretched out hand" of judgment challenge my understanding of His character, and how can I reconcile it with His boundless love and mercy?**
* **What specific actions can I take to ensure that my life produces "good fruit" of righteousness rather than "wild grapes" of injustice that provoke God's righteous anger?**

### FAQ
**What does "his hand is stretched out still" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "his hand is stretched out still" (Hebrew: `H5186 nâṭâh H3027 yâd H5186 nâṭâh H8803`) signifies that despite the severe judgments already inflicted upon His people, God's anger has not been appeased, and His disciplinary action is not yet complete. It implies that the initial punishments have not led to genuine repentance or a turning back to God, and therefore, His hand remains poised and ready to inflict further, ongoing judgment. This highlights the unwavering nature of God's justice and His commitment to seeing His righteous purposes fulfilled, whether through continued discipline or ultimate restoration. It underscores the profound stubbornness of the people in their rebellion and the persistent nature of divine wrath against unrepentant sin, a chilling theme echoed in other prophetic warnings, such as [Isaiah 9:12](/isaiah/9-12 "Isaiah 9:12 - God's Hand Still Stretched Out").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 5:25, with its stark depiction of God's unyielding wrath against sin and the devastating consequences of human rebellion, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "anger of the LORD kindled against his people" and His "hand stretched out still" against their rebellion points to the righteous judgment that all humanity deserves for its sin. Yet, in Christ, we witness the astonishing paradox where God's wrath is fully satisfied, and His hand is stretched out not in judgment, but in grace and salvation. On the cross, Jesus became the recipient of the very divine anger and "smiting" described in this verse, bearing the full weight of humanity's sin and rebellion as our substitute (e.g., [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). The trembling earth at His crucifixion ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - Earthquake at the Crucifixion")) can be seen as a cosmic echo of the judgment He endured on behalf of humanity. Through His perfect sacrifice, the "anger of the LORD" that was justly kindled against humanity's sin was turned away from all who believe, and God's "hand is stretched out still," not to smite, but to offer reconciliation, forgiveness, and eternal life ([Romans 5:8-9](/romans/5-8-9 "Romans 5:8-9 - God's Love and Justification Through Christ")). Thus, Isaiah 5:25, while a severe warning of divine justice, ultimately magnifies the glory of the Gospel, where God's perfect justice and His boundless love converge in Christ, providing a way for His people to escape the hand of judgment and enter into His eternal embrace.

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 9:21

Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: [and] they together [shall be] against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

Isaiah 10:4

Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

Isaiah 9:17

Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one [is] an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

2 Kings 9:37

And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; [so] that they shall not say, This [is] Jezebel.

Jeremiah 4:24

I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.

Daniel 9:16

O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people [are become] a reproach to all [that are] about us.

Jeremiah 16:4

They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; [but] they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.