Isaiah 41 15

Isaiah 41:15 kjv

Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.

Isaiah 41:15 nkjv

"Behold, I will make you into a new threshing sledge with sharp teeth; You shall thresh the mountains and beat them small, And make the hills like chaff.

Isaiah 41:15 niv

"See, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff.

Isaiah 41:15 esv

Behold, I make of you a threshing sledge, new, sharp, and having teeth; you shall thresh the mountains and crush them, and you shall make the hills like chaff;

Isaiah 41:15 nlt

You will be a new threshing instrument
with many sharp teeth.
You will tear your enemies apart,
making chaff of mountains.

Isaiah 41 verses

Isaiah 41 15 Meaning

The Lord, who redeems and saves Israel, declares that He will use them as a threshing tool, sharp and new, with many teeth. This signifies divine empowerment and usefulness given to His people to impact the nations and fulfill His purposes, even in judgment against those who oppose Him.

Isaiah 41 15 Context

This verse is part of a larger prophecy in Isaiah 41, which addresses the people of Israel, emphasizing God's power, His choice of them, and His intention to use them to accomplish His purposes among the nations. The preceding verses (41:8-14) depict God calling Israel His servant, promising to uphold them, and assuring them that He will help them overcome their oppressors, symbolized by "little” Jacob. This specific verse follows immediately after God’s affirmation of their identity and His support, presenting the transformed and empowered state of Israel to achieve His objectives, even to the point of "threshing" the mountains, a metaphor for crushing powerful enemies and obstacles. The broader historical context involves the looming threat of empires like Babylon, against whom God promised deliverance for His people.

Isaiah 41 15 Word Analysis

• Behold (Hebrew: hineh - הִנֵּה): A particle of attention, calling the reader or listener to observe something important and imminent. It introduces a declaration or revelation from God.

• I (Hebrew: ʾanî - אָנֹכִי): The first-person singular pronoun, emphasizing God's personal involvement and agency.

• will make (Hebrew: śâ·ṯî - שַׂמְתִּי): From śûm (שׂוּם), meaning to set, put, place, make, appoint. It indicates a future action of divine appointment or transformation.

• you (Hebrew: ʾôṯ·ḵā - אֹותְךָ): Refers to Israel, addressed as a collective entity or nation.

• a threshing sledge (Hebrew: ḥārûṣ - חָרוּץ): A heavy implement, often made of wood with metal spikes or sharp edges, used to beat grain from the stalks on a threshing floor. It signifies a tool of effective and often severe agricultural processing.

• new (Hebrew: ḥā·ḏāš - חָדָשׁ): Implies freshness, renewed power, and efficacy, suggesting a transformation beyond their current state.

• sharp (Hebrew: la·‘ag - לָעַג): The word here is actually from ḥārūṣ itself (as derived from ḥrs, to sharpen), implying sharpness or possibly an engraving tool. However, in this context, it speaks to the effective, cutting edge of the implement.

• with teeth (Hebrew: mō·rîḏ - מֹרִיד): The word mō·rîḏ itself means "that goes down" or "that brings down." In the context of the threshing sledge, it refers to projections or spikes, the "teeth" that would tear and break apart the grain. It signifies aggressive effectiveness.

• you shall thresh (Hebrew: ṯa·ḥă·rûṣ - תַּחֲרוּשׁ): From ḥû·rô·ṣ (חָרוּץ), a verb derived from the noun for threshing sledge. It means to thresh, to beat, to pulverize.

• the mountains (Hebrew: hā·rîm - הָרִים): Plural of hār (הַר), mountain. This is a metaphorical use, referring to immense obstacles, nations, or powerful adversaries that appear insurmountable.

• and beat (Hebrew: wə·ṯa·ḥă·ḵōm - וְתַחֲכֹם): Likely a rare or variant form, possibly related to grinding or pulverizing, continuing the threshing imagery. Another possible reading or interpretation leans towards crushing or bruising.

• them small (Hebrew: lə·ʿĕ·ḵə - לְעָכֶה): To break or crush into fine pieces, like dust or chaff.

• and make (Hebrew: wə·ṯā·śîm - וְתָשִׂים): To make, set, place.

• the hills (Hebrew: gə·ḇā·ʿîm - גְּבָעִים): Plural of giv‘āh (גִּבְעָה), a hill. Again, this represents lesser but still significant obstacles or entities.

• like chaff (Hebrew: kə·mōṣ - כְּמֹץ): Like dry stalks or husks of grain, which are easily blown away. It signifies utter destruction and insignificance.

• Words-group analysis:

  • The phrase "threshing sledge, new, sharp, with teeth" forms a potent image of a renewed and highly effective tool. This signifies that God will equip Israel with enhanced power and the means to dismantle strongholds and overcome mighty opposition, going beyond their natural capabilities. The description of making mountains and hills like chaff emphasizes complete victory and the reduction of powerful forces to insignificance in the face of God's might.

Isaiah 41 15 Bonus Section

The concept of Israel as God's instrument of threshing or judgment against nations is a recurring theme, illustrating God's interaction with the world. This is not a mandate for Israel to independently engage in warfare in every instance, but rather a prophetic declaration of how God will sovereignly work, using them or His divine power through them to achieve His aims against opposition. The sharp, toothed threshing tool emphasizes precision, efficiency, and a thoroughness in bringing down strongholds, paralleling the work of God's Word and Spirit in breaking down false doctrines and opposing powers. It highlights the relational aspect of God's power: He makes them this tool; it is not of themselves.

Isaiah 41 15 Commentary

This verse is a powerful declaration of divine empowerment for God's people. Israel, despite its perceived weakness, is depicted as being transformed into a formidable instrument for God's purposes. This isn't about Israel's inherent strength, but God's work within and through them. The threshing sledge was a tool designed to break down grain; here, Israel is enabled by God to break down mighty opposition. This transformation equips them to dismantle seemingly insurmountable challenges ("mountains") and lesser adversaries ("hills"), rendering them as insignificant as scattered chaff. The imagery underscores God's ultimate sovereignty and His ability to utilize even the most unlikely instruments to accomplish His will, bringing judgment on enemies and vindication for His people.

• Practical usage: When facing overwhelming odds, believers can be encouraged that God can empower them with divine "teeth" and "sharpness" through His Spirit and Word to overcome obstacles. It calls for trust in God's ability to equip and elevate His servants for His mission, however challenging.