Isaiah 25 11

Isaiah 25:11 kjv

And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim: and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands.

Isaiah 25:11 nkjv

And He will spread out His hands in their midst As a swimmer reaches out to swim, And He will bring down their pride Together with the trickery of their hands.

Isaiah 25:11 niv

They will stretch out their hands in it, as swimmers stretch out their hands to swim. God will bring down their pride despite the cleverness of their hands.

Isaiah 25:11 esv

And he will spread out his hands in the midst of it as a swimmer spreads his hands out to swim, but the LORD will lay low his pompous pride together with the skill of his hands.

Isaiah 25:11 nlt

God will push down Moab's people
as a swimmer pushes down water with his hands.
He will end their pride
and all their evil works.

Isaiah 25 verses

Isaiah 25 11 Meaning

This verse describes the inevitability of divine judgment against Israel's enemies. God will extend his protective hand over Zion, and Moab will be trampled down like straw underfoot in its own courtyard, signifying utter destruction and subjugation.

Isaiah 25 11 Context

This verse is found within the broader context of Isaiah chapter 25, which is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving for God's ultimate victory over sin, death, and all enemies. The chapter foretells a grand feast hosted by the Lord of hosts on Mount Zion, where all nations will be gathered, death will be abolished, and sorrow removed. Following this promise of universal blessing, Isaiah then describes the judgment of God against those nations who opposed His people and His plans. Moab, in this instance, represents those oppressive nations and antagonistic forces that historically persecuted Israel and ultimately will be defeated. This assurance of victory for Zion and subjugation of its enemies is a key theme leading up to the messianic hope.

Isaiah 25 11 Word Analysis

• וְהָיָה (vehāyāh)

  • "and it will be"
  • Connective, introducing a consequence or a further development of the prophecy.

• יַד (yad)

  • "hand"
  • Synecdoche for power, authority, or active intervention.

• יְהוָה (YHWH)

  • "Yahweh," the covenantal name of God.
  • Emphasizes God's active role as the one who delivers and judges.

• עַל ('al)

  • "upon," "on," "over"
  • Indicates placement or application of God's hand/power.

• הַר־ (har)

  • "mountain"
  • Refers to Mount Zion, the symbolic center of God's presence and rule.

• צִיּוֹן (Tsiyyōn)

  • "Zion"
  • The holy hill of Jerusalem, representing God's people and His dwelling place.

• וְתָּרַס (vethāras)

  • "and you (masc. singular) will trample" or "and it (feminine noun implied, i.e., Zion/mountain) will trample."
  • Grammatically, the subject could be God (though God is implied in "yad Yahweh" before), or Zion itself becoming the agent of destruction, or a direct address to Zion as a participant. The action implies complete crushing.

• מוֹאָב (Mō’āḇ)

  • "Moab"
  • A descendant of Lot, consistently antagonistic to Israel. Represents Gentile opposition.

• כְּתֶבֶן (ketiven)

  • "as straw" or "like straw"
  • Signifies worthlessness, combustible material, easily crushed.

• בַּמְּדוֹכָא (bammədōḵā)

  • "in the treading," "in the place of treading," or "in the winepress."
  • Could refer to a literal treading place or a figurative place of crushing. The imagery is agricultural.

• Words-Group Analysis:

  • "יַד יְהוָה עַל הַר־צִיּוֹן" (yad YHWH 'al har-Tsiyyōn) - The extended hand of Yahweh upon Mount Zion signifies God's protective presence and sovereign control over His people and His holy city, a precursor to His actions against enemies.
  • "וְתָרַס מוֹאָב כְּתֶבֶן בַּמְּדוֹכָא" (vethāras Mō’āḇ kəṯeḇen bamməḏōḵā) - This phrase depicts the utter annihilation of Moab. It is reduced to something as insignificant as straw, ground underfoot in a place of crushing, highlighting total defeat and ruin.

Isaiah 25 11 Bonus Section

The prophetic imagery of trampling enemies underfoot is recurrent in biblical literature, signifying absolute conquest and humiliation. For Moab specifically, their long history of enmity and pride against Israel is highlighted. Scholars note that Moab, positioned east of the Dead Sea, often acted as a formidable oppressor to Israel. This verse, therefore, serves as a specific pronouncement of retribution for past actions and a foreshadowing of the ultimate defeat of all spiritual enemies through Christ. The 'treading' evokes images from wine presses (like Isaiah 63:3 where the Messiah treads the nations) or threshing floors, places of crushing and separation. The application of God's "hand" to Zion underscores His immanence in His people's redemption and protection.

Isaiah 25 11 Commentary

This verse paints a vivid picture of divine triumph. God's powerful hand will rest protectively on Zion, assuring security. Simultaneously, the enemy nation of Moab will face complete destruction, metaphorically trodden down like worthless straw. The imagery emphasizes that Moab’s might will be reduced to nothing, easily pulverized and disregarded, demonstrating God's supreme authority over all nations and His ultimate victory for His people. This judgment on Moab is a specific instance of God's general practice of judging oppressive nations, seen throughout scripture.