Isaiah 7:25

And on all hilles that shalbe digged with the mattocke, there shall not come thither the feare of briars and thornes: but it shall bee for the sending foorth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattell. 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. Isaiah 7:25 (KJV)

The book of Isaiah records prophetic messages delivered through the prophet Isaiah to King Ahaz of Judah during a period of acute crisis. Judah faced the looming threat of the Assyrian empire, and the nation was tempted to rely on foreign alliances rather than trust in God’s deliverance. Isaiah 7:25 is part of this larger oracle, addressing the consequences that would follow Judah’s choices.

The verse describes hills that have been dug with a mattock, a tool used for cultivation. It states that the fear of briers and thorns will not come to those hills; instead the land will be used for the “sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle.” In the context of Isaiah’s warning, this imagery is understood as an agricultural judgment. The cultivated hills become unsuitable for farming because they are turned over to grazing, indicating a loss of productive use and an abandonment of the land as a result of invasion and devastation. The reference to the Assyrian threat underscores that the land will be so severely affected that even cultivated areas will be reduced to pasturage for animals, a sign of desolation rather than blessing.

Beyond the literal picture, the passage symbolizes spiritual desolation that follows disobedience. Hills that once could be cultivated represent the spiritual condition of Judah. When the people reject God’s guidance, the protective “fear of briers and thorns” is removed, leaving the nation exposed and vulnerable, much like a field left to be trampled by cattle. The verse therefore serves as a stark warning of the consequences of unfaithfulness and of placing trust in human schemes instead of divine providence.

It is worth noting that some textual traditions render Isaiah 7:25 differently, speaking of burnt offerings on islands and the wood of the vine. This variation reminds readers to verify the precise wording of the passage they are studying and to avoid projecting unrelated agricultural or messianic symbolism onto a verse whose primary focus is judgment and desolation.

The practical application of this verse calls believers to heed God’s warnings and to place their confidence in His sovereign plan rather than in worldly alliances. When faced with difficulty, the passage urges a return to trust in God’s guidance, recognizing that reliance on human power can lead to spiritual and material loss. By acknowledging the seriousness of divine judgment, the faithful are prompted to pursue obedience and humility before God.

In conclusion, Isaiah 7:25, as rendered in the KJV, highlights a prophetic warning of judgment and the resulting desolation of the land when Judah turns away from God. The imagery of hills turned to pasturage underscores the loss that follows disobedience, while the broader context calls for trust in God’s provision and a rejection of reliance on human strength.