Isaiah 7:25

KJV

And [on] all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns: but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle.

KJV (with Strong's)

And on all hills {H2022} that shall be digged {H5737} with the mattock {H4576}, there shall not come thither {H935} the fear {H3374} of briers {H8068} and thorns {H7898}: but it shall be for the sending forth {H4916} of oxen {H7794}, and for the treading {H4823} of lesser cattle {H7716}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You won't visit hills once worked with a hoe, for fear of the briars and thorns; it will be good only for pasturing cattle and being trampled down by sheep.

Berean Standard Bible

For fear of the briers and thorns, you will no longer traverse the hills once tilled by the hoe; they will become places for oxen to graze and sheep to trample.

American Standard Version

And all the hills that were digged with the mattock, thou shalt not come thither for fear of briers and thorns; but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of sheep.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 7:25 vividly portrays the desolate future of Judah's agricultural lands, a direct consequence of King Ahaz's refusal to trust in God during the Syro-Ephraimite War. This verse describes how once-cultivated hills, typically tilled with a mattock, will become so overgrown with thorns and briers that the very "fear" of these impediments for farming purposes will cease to exist. Instead, these areas will revert to wild pastures, suitable only for the free grazing of oxen and smaller livestock, symbolizing widespread abandonment, economic decline, and the profound impact of divine judgment on the land and its people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 7:25 is situated within a series of prophecies concerning the Syro-Ephraimite War, where Aram and Israel threatened Judah. The preceding verses, particularly [Isaiah 7:23-24](/isaiah/7-23 "Isaiah 7:23-24 - Land Overgrown with Thorns"), describe once-valuable vineyards becoming worthless, overgrown with thorns and briers, necessitating the use of bows and arrows for hunting in what was formerly cultivated land. This immediate context sets the stage for verse 25, which further elaborates on the extent of this desolation. The broader chapter, starting from [Isaiah 7:17](/isaiah/7-17 "Isaiah 7:17 - The Coming Assyrian Invasion"), details God's judgment through the Assyrian invasion, which would bring widespread devastation far beyond the immediate conflict, transforming the very landscape of Judah. The land's transformation from fertile ground to wild pasture underscores the severity and comprehensiveness of the impending judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Isaiah 7 is delivered to King Ahaz of Judah around 734 BCE, a period of immense political instability. Judah was caught between the aggressive expansion of the Neo-Assyrian Empire and the regional alliance of Aram (Syria) and Israel (Ephraim). King Ahaz, despite Isaiah's prophetic counsel to trust in the Lord, chose instead to seek an alliance with Assyria, a decision that would ultimately lead to Judah's subjugation. Culturally, ancient Israelite society was agrarian, with land ownership and cultivation being central to economic stability and identity. The imagery of vineyards and fields becoming desolate would have resonated deeply with the people, signifying not just economic ruin but a profound disruption of their way of life and the covenantal blessings associated with the land's fertility. The "mattock" (H4576, *maʻdêr*) was a fundamental agricultural tool, emphasizing the labor-intensive nature of farming in that era.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. Primarily, it highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment and its Consequences**, demonstrating how disobedience and lack of faith (specifically Ahaz's) lead to severe national suffering and desolation. The transformation of the land from productive agriculture to wild pasture vividly illustrates **Economic and Societal Decline**, reflecting a profound downturn in Judah's prosperity and order. Furthermore, it underscores **God's Sovereignty and the Fulfillment of Prophecy**, as the desolate state of the land is a tangible manifestation of God's declared word. The imagery of thorns and briers, prominent throughout [Isaiah 7](/isaiah/7 "Isaiah 7 - Ahaz's Lack of Faith and God's Judgment"), also connects to the theme of **Spiritual Fruitfulness and Barrenness**, where the land's condition mirrors the spiritual state of the people, overgrown with the "thorns" of sin and unfaithfulness, as seen in other prophetic warnings like [Jeremiah 4:3](/jeremiah/4-3 "Jeremiah 4:3 - Break up your fallow ground").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hills (Hebrew, _har'_):** H2022 refers to a mountain or range of hills. In this context, it signifies the elevated, often fertile, cultivated areas of Judah that would typically be productive agricultural land. Its inclusion emphasizes the widespread nature of the desolation, affecting even the most prominent and valuable terrains.
* **mattock (Hebrew, _maʻdêr'_):** H4576 denotes a hoe or a weeding tool. This word highlights the laborious human effort involved in cultivating land. Its mention in the phrase "shall be digged with the mattock" underscores the cessation of intensive agriculture, as such tools will no longer be employed for their intended purpose.
* **fear (Hebrew, _yirʼâh'_):** H3374 typically means "fear" or "reverence." Here, "the fear of briers and thorns" is an idiomatic expression. It does not mean the thorns will no longer be frightening, but rather that the *concern* or *struggle* associated with clearing them for cultivation will cease because cultivation itself has stopped. The land will be so completely given over to wild growth that the agricultural "fear" of these impediments becomes irrelevant.
* **treading (Hebrew, _mirmâç'_):** H4823 refers to the act of trampling or treading down. In this verse, it describes the new use of the land: for the "treading of lesser cattle." This signifies that the land, no longer carefully tilled, will become open pasture where livestock roam freely, compacting the ground with their hooves, a stark contrast to the precise work of the mattock.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And on all hills that shall be digged with the mattock,"**: This opening clause establishes the setting: the once-cultivated, productive hills of Judah. The phrase "digged with the mattock" emphasizes the past or typical state of these lands, characterized by human effort and agricultural productivity. It sets up a poignant contrast with the future desolation.
* **"there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns:"**: This is the pivotal and somewhat counterintuitive part of the verse. It does not mean the land will be free of thorns; quite the opposite. It signifies that the *struggle* or *concern* (the "fear") associated with clearing briers and thorns for cultivation will cease because the land will no longer be cultivated at all. It will be so utterly overrun by wild growth that the idea of trying to farm it, and thus fearing these impediments, becomes irrelevant.
* **"but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle."**: This final clause describes the new, degraded purpose of the land. Instead of producing crops, these hills will become vast, unmanaged pastures. "Sending forth of oxen" implies allowing them to roam freely, and "treading of lesser cattle" (sheep and goats) indicates that the land will be used solely for extensive grazing. This marks a dramatic shift from intensive, productive agriculture to a primitive, unmanaged state, reflecting the widespread abandonment and economic collapse.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 7:25 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of judgment and desolation. **Irony** is prominent in the phrase "there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns." This is ironic because the absence of "fear" is not due to the removal of the problem but rather its overwhelming victory; the thorns will be so pervasive that the very act of trying to clear them, and thus fearing them, becomes moot. The land is so utterly lost to cultivation that the struggle against its wild growth is abandoned. **Symbolism** is also central, as the physical desolation of the land serves as a powerful symbol for the spiritual and national decline of Judah, a direct consequence of King Ahaz's lack of faith and reliance on human alliances over divine protection. The shift from cultivated fields to wild pastures for grazing livestock symbolizes a regression, a loss of order, productivity, and the blessings associated with covenant faithfulness. Furthermore, there is a strong **Contrast** between the past or ideal state of the land ("digged with the mattock") and its future desolate state ("for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle"), underscoring the severity of the judgment and the dramatic transformation of Judah's landscape and livelihood.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 7:25 serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of national disobedience and a king's lack of faith. The desolation of the land is a tangible manifestation of God's judgment, demonstrating His sovereignty over history and His commitment to upholding His covenant, even through disciplinary action. This verse highlights the interconnectedness of spiritual choices and physical outcomes, illustrating how a nation's spiritual health can directly impact its prosperity and security. The land, once a symbol of blessing and fruitfulness, becomes a testament to the devastating effects of rejecting divine counsel, reverting to a wild, less productive state.

* [Leviticus 26:34-35](/leviticus/26-34 "Leviticus 26:34-35 - The Land's Sabbath Rest in Exile")
* [Deuteronomy 28:38-40](/deuteronomy/28-38 "Deuteronomy 28:38-40 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Hosea 2:12](/hosea/2-12 "Hosea 2:12 - God's Judgment on Israel's Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 7:25 offers a profound spiritual lesson about the consequences of neglecting our spiritual "fields." Just as the land of Judah became overgrown and unproductive due to a lack of faith and proper stewardship, so too can our lives become barren and unruly if we fail to cultivate our relationship with God and tend to the areas He has entrusted to us. The "fear of briers and thorns" ceasing suggests a state of spiritual apathy where we no longer even attempt to battle the encroaching sins and distractions because we have given up on cultivating true spiritual fruitfulness. This verse challenges us to examine our lives: Are we actively "digging with the mattock" of prayer, study, and obedience, or are we allowing our spiritual ground to revert to a wild, unmanaged state, suitable only for the "treading of lesser cattle"—meaning, perhaps, mundane pursuits or unchecked desires? The call is to vigilant stewardship, recognizing that our choices have profound implications for the fruitfulness of our lives and our witness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be allowing "briers and thorns" to take over, no longer even "fearing" their presence because I've ceased to cultivate?**
* **What does it mean for my "spiritual hills" to be used "for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle" rather than for fruitful harvest?**
* **How does my daily reliance on God's counsel, or lack thereof, impact the "fruitfulness" of my life and relationships?**

### FAQ
**What does "there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns" actually mean?**

Answer: This phrase is often misunderstood. It does not mean that the briers and thorns will disappear or become less threatening. Instead, it signifies that the *struggle* or *concern* (the "fear") associated with clearing these thorny plants for agricultural purposes will cease entirely. The land will be so completely overrun and abandoned from cultivation that the idea of trying to farm it, and thus encountering or fearing the thorns, becomes irrelevant. The land will have reverted to a wild state, fit only for grazing, where clearing thorns for crops is no longer a consideration. It is a powerful image of total desolation and the end of productive farming in those areas.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 7:25 speaks of physical desolation as a consequence of unfaithfulness, it subtly points to the deeper spiritual barrenness of humanity apart from God, and ultimately, to Christ as the one who brings true fruitfulness and restoration. The "briers and thorns" that overrun the land can be seen as a symbol of the curse of sin that afflicts creation and humanity, as first seen in [Genesis 3:18](/genesis/3-18 "Genesis 3:18 - The Curse on the Ground"). Humanity's spiritual "hills" became overgrown with the thorns of sin and rebellion, making them unproductive for God's purposes. However, Jesus Christ, the ultimate "Lamb of God" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), came not to allow the land (or our lives) to revert to wild grazing, but to redeem and restore it. He bore the crown of thorns ([Matthew 27:29](/matthew/27-29 "Matthew 27:29 - Jesus' Crown of Thorns"))—a powerful symbol of the curse—on the cross, thereby breaking its power. Through His sacrifice, He enables us to be transformed from barren ground, producing only "briers and thorns," into fertile soil that yields spiritual fruit for God's glory ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")). He is the one who "digs" and cultivates our hearts, removing the fear of spiritual desolation and making us productive for His kingdom, fulfilling the promise of a new creation where the curse is reversed and true life flourishes ([Revelation 22:3](/reve lation/22-3 "Revelation 22:3 - No More Curse")).

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 13:20

It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.

Isaiah 13:22

And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in [their] pleasant palaces: and her time [is] near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.

Isaiah 17:2

The cities of Aroer [are] forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make [them] afraid.

Zephaniah 2:6

And the sea coast shall be dwellings [and] cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.

Isaiah 5:17

Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.

Isaiah 7:21

And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep;

Isaiah 7:22

And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk [that] they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land.