Isaiah 34:9

And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.

Isaiah 34:9 (KJV)

Context

Chapter 34 is a prophecy of judgment against the nations, particularly focusing on Edom, a neighboring nation hostile to Israel. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob (Israel), and throughout the Old Testament, Edom had a turbulent relationship with Israel.

Meaning

Isaiah uses vivid and symbolic language to describe the devastation that will come upon Edom. The phrase “And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch” suggests that the water sources will become like pitch, a flammable substance associated with burning and destruction. Similarly, “the dust thereof into brimstone” indicates that even the dust will turn into brimstone, a symbol of divine judgment. The phrase “the land thereof shall become burning pitch” emphasizes the intense and consuming nature of the judgment. The Hebrew words used, ‘zefet’ for pitch and ‘gofrit’ for brimstone, reinforce the imagery of fire and sulfur, alluding to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as a historical example of divine judgment.

The immediate context continues in Isaiah 34:10, stating that the fire shall not be quenched night nor day, and the smoke shall go up forever, reinforcing the permanence of the judgment. The following verse, Isaiah 34:11, describes the land becoming like the unformed and empty earth of Genesis 1:2, using the line of confusion and plummet of emptiness to signify a return to chaos and desolation. This imagery depicts a complete and irreversible devastation, where even the natural elements become agents of destruction.

Biblical connections

Throughout the Bible, fire and brimstone are often associated with divine judgment and the consequences of rebellion against God. The Septuagint renders ‘streams’ as ‘valleys,’ while most translations use ‘rivers’ or ‘streams.’ The Targum interprets this as ‘the rivers of Rome,’ which some commentators connect to the third vial in Revelation 16:4-6, where rivers and fountains of waters become blood. This connection, however, is an interpretive tradition rather than a direct statement of the text.

Application

While Isaiah 34:9 specifically addresses the judgment against Edom, it also offers important lessons for believers today. It serves as a reminder that God is just and will hold all people accountable for their actions. It also emphasises the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance. As believers, we should take heed of the consequences of rebellion against God and strive to live in accordance with His will.