Isaiah 34:1 kjv
Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.
Isaiah 34:1 nkjv
Come near, you nations, to hear; And heed, you people! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, The world and all things that come forth from it.
Isaiah 34:1 niv
Come near, you nations, and listen; pay attention, you peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world, and all that comes out of it!
Isaiah 34:1 esv
Draw near, O nations, to hear, and give attention, O peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that fills it; the world, and all that comes from it.
Isaiah 34:1 nlt
Come here and listen, O nations of the earth.
Let the world and everything in it hear my words.
Isaiah 34 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa. 13:1 | Behold, the day of the LORD comes fiercely! | Prophecy of Babylon's judgment |
| Isa. 14:26 | Lord's purpose against the whole earth | Divine plan for all nations |
| Jer. 51:25 | God's sword against Babylon | Judgment on specific nation |
| Eze. 25:13 | God's vengeance on Edom | Judgment on specific nation |
| Zeph. 1:2 | Lord will utterly sweep away all things | Universal destruction mentioned |
| Zeph. 2:8-10 | Moab and Ammon's fate due to insults | Judgment on surrounding nations |
| Zech. 1:12-13 | Lord's anger against nations resting easy | Divine anger at complacency |
| Rev. 11:18 | Nations angered, Lord's wrath | New Testament parallel judgment |
| Rev. 13:7 | Beast given authority over all kindreds | Antichrist's global dominion |
| Rev. 17:15 | Waters...peoples, multitudes, nations, tongues | Symbolic meaning of "waters" |
| Rev. 18:24 | Blood of prophets and saints in the city | Connects global wickedness to judgment |
| Deut. 32:43 | Rejoice, O nations, with His people! | Nations in relation to God's people |
| Ps. 2:8 | Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance | God's future inheritance through Christ |
| Ps. 67:4 | Nations be glad and sing for joy | Future joy for nations |
| Ps. 86:9 | Nations shall come and worship before you | Gentile inclusion in worship |
| Isa. 11:10 | Nations shall seek Him | Messianic prophecy of gentile salvation |
| Isa. 19:19-25 | Judgment and blessing on Egypt and Assyria | Specific nation judgments & future blessing |
| Jer. 4:11-12 | East wind against Judah | Divine instrument of judgment |
| 1 Cor. 5:5 | Deliver him to Satan for the destruction of the flesh | Spiritual discipline/judgment |
| Heb. 10:27 | Fearful expectation of judgment | Warning about judgment |
Isaiah 34 verses
Isaiah 34 1 Meaning
This verse proclaims judgment against all nations, drawing a direct connection between the nations and the "wilderness of the sea," a metaphorical description of a chaotic and desolated place. It signifies a universal divine reckoning for their actions.
Isaiah 34 1 Context
Isaiah 34 speaks of God's judgment upon the nations, particularly focusing on Edom (as detailed in subsequent verses not in this specific verse). It's a prophetic declaration of a universal day of wrath and recompense for their ungodly deeds. The historical context for Isaiah's original audience was a time of shifting political alliances and prevalent paganism among surrounding nations. These nations often oppressed Israel and engaged in idolatry, prompting God's prophetic pronouncements of judgment. This chapter fits within Isaiah's broader prophetic ministry, which consistently addressed both the sins of Israel and the surrounding nations, often revealing God's sovereignty over all.
Isaiah 34 1 Word Analysis
- Draw (qareb – קָרַב): This verb signifies drawing near, approaching, or summoning. Here, it implies a deliberate and active summoning of the nations to face divine judgment.
- Near (qereb – קֶרֶב): While similar to the verb, this noun refers to an inner place or midst. The combined usage emphasizes God's immanent judgment that is coming to be in the midst of all nations.
- O Nations (ha-goyim – הַגּוֹיִם): This plural definite noun refers to "the nations" or "the peoples," signifying all non-Israelite peoples, highlighting the universal scope of this judgment.
- Assemble (mit’u – מִתְּעוּ): This reflexive verb comes from to be astonished or to go astray. In this context, it implies a gathering or coming together, possibly in confusion or disarray, as a result of God's overwhelming judgment. It can also suggest they are gathered for destruction.
- Hear (ishma’ – שִׁמְעוּ): An imperative form of the verb "to hear," calling for attentive listening to the divine pronouncement.
- Ye (athem – אַתֶּם): The plural masculine pronoun, "you."
- Earth (erets – אָרֶץ): This noun means "earth," "land," or "ground." Here, it encompasses the entire terrestrial world, emphasizing the global scale of the impending judgment.
- Give ear (hacshivu – הַקְשִׁיבוּ): An imperative form of the verb "to give heed" or "to be attentive." It amplifies the call to listen, demanding focused attention.
- Below (tahtit – תַּחְתִּית): Refers to what is below, the lower parts, or the foundation. It might signify the depths or foundations of the earth where judgment is carried out, or it could emphasize a low or subjugated state.
Words-group analysis:
- "Draw near, O nations, to hear": This opening phrase sets a tone of urgency and divine summons. The nations are not merely informed of a coming judgment; they are actively called to "hear" it.
- "Assemble, and hear, O nations": The repetition of "hear" coupled with "assemble" reinforces the collective and mandatory nature of this divine revelation.
- "Let the earth and all that fills it give ear": The personification of the earth receiving the command highlights the comprehensive nature of this judgment, affecting the entire created order.
Isaiah 34 1 Bonus Section
The phrase "wilderness of the sea" is not literal but symbolic. In ancient Near Eastern cosmology, the "sea" often represented chaos and the primeval waters that God conquered at creation. Thus, calling the nations to a "wilderness of the sea" evokes a scene of utter chaos and uncreation, where the established order of nations is overturned and reduced to primal, unformed desolation, emphasizing the totality of God's judgment and His power to bring about radical change and dismantling of human pride. This judgment is not arbitrary but a righteous response to the nations' long-standing rebellion and mistreatment of God's people.
Isaiah 34 1 Commentary
Isaiah 34:1 is a powerful declaration that no nation is exempt from God's ultimate justice. It signals the commencement of a specific, detailed judgment upon the Gentile nations. The instruction for them to "draw near" and "hear" suggests that God is not hiding His intentions but is openly confronting them with His sovereign power and impending wrath. This is a precursor to the detailed pronouncements against specific nations that follow in the chapter, particularly Edom. The verse underscores the universal scope of God's dominion and His accountability for all peoples and lands.