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

In Isaiah 41:15, the Sovereign Lord declares His intention to empower the downtrodden people of Israel, personified as a weak "worm" in the preceding verse. He promises to transform them into an exceptionally potent instrument, likened to a "new sharp threshing sledge with teeth." Through this divinely appointed power, they will effectively overcome monumental obstacles and adversaries, symbolized by "mountains" and "hills," utterly pulverizing them until they become as insubstantial and scattered as "chaff." This verse signifies God's complete and supernatural victory for His seemingly helpless people against formidable opposition, not through their inherent strength, but through His direct intervention and transformative power.

Isaiah 41 15 Context

Isaiah chapter 41 is part of the "Book of Comfort" (chapters 40-55) within Isaiah, addressed primarily to the exiles in Babylon. Following a profound declaration of God's unmatched sovereignty (Ch. 40), this chapter opens with God summoning the nations for judgment and reassurance for His servant Israel. Verse 15 builds directly upon the preceding verses (especially v. 10-14), where God directly encourages His fearful and despised people ("worm Jacob"). Despite their present low status and perceived weakness, God promises them His help, presence, and ultimately, victory over their enemies. Historically, this comfort was for the Israelites facing the seemingly insurmountable might of the Babylonian empire, as well as the pagan idolatry prevalent in their surroundings. This passage offers a powerful polemic against the impotence of idols and human might, contrasting it with the active, transformative power of the one true God who empowers His humble people.

Isaiah 41 15 Word analysis

• Behold (הִנֵּה - hinneh): An exclamation that commands immediate attention, signifying the profound importance and certainty of the divine declaration that follows. It underscores the truth and impact of God's promise.
• I will make you (אֲשִׂימְךָ - asimkha): "I will set you," "I will appoint you," or "I will put you." This phrase emphasizes God's personal initiative and sovereign act. The power is not inherent in Israel but is entirely bestowed and enacted by God.
• new (חָדָשׁ - chadash): Signifies something fresh, renewed, unprecedented, or specially created for a specific purpose. This threshing sledge is not just an old tool; it represents a divine transformation, an innovative strength gifted to Israel.
• sharp (חָרוּץ - charutz): Literally, "sharp instrument," often refers to a pointed tool or a sharp edge, emphasizing effectiveness, penetration, and decisive action. In the context of a threshing sledge, it speaks to its formidable grinding and separating capability.
• threshing sledge (מוֹרַג - morag): (Mōrag). A common ancient agricultural implement, typically a heavy wooden board or sled with stones, flint, or iron teeth fixed underneath, pulled by oxen to separate grain from stalks. Its normal function is to break apart and pulverize, here elevated to a symbolic tool of destruction for vast obstacles.
• with teeth (בַּעַל פִּיפִיּוֹת - ba'al pifiyoth): Literally "owner of mouths" or "owner of double edges/blades." This denotes extreme sharpness, multiple cutting surfaces, or an instrument designed for maximum efficacy and destructive power. It vividly conveys the ability to grind and break down everything in its path.
• you shall thresh (תָּדוּשׁ - tadush): "You will trample," "you will crush," "you will tread." This verb describes the action of a threshing sledge. It means to rub out the grain, but here metaphorically refers to Israel's action, empowered by God, to dismantle and conquer their adversaries.
• mountains (הָרִים - harim): Figurative for formidable obstacles, mighty kingdoms, oppressive nations, or entrenched spiritual strongholds. They represent seemingly unmovable, powerful opposition to God's people and His plan.
• and crush them (וְתָדֹק וּתְדֻקֵּם - vetadoq u'tduqqem): "And you will break into powder," "pulverize them." The Hebrew word (daqac) implies reduction to fine dust or small fragments, emphasizing utter and complete destruction, leaving nothing substantial remaining.
• and you shall make the hills (וּגְבָעוֹת תָּשִׂים - u'gva'ot tasim): "And you will set/put the hills." The hills (גְּבָעוֹת - g'va'ot) represent slightly less imposing, yet still significant, obstacles or lesser powers compared to mountains.
• like chaff (כְּמֹץ - k'mots): "As fine straw," "as lightweight waste." Chaff (מֹץ - mots) is the worthless husks separated from grain during threshing, easily scattered by the wind. This image signifies the utter lack of substance, power, and permanence of Israel's enemies, who will be easily dispersed and removed once God's power is applied.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "I will make you a new sharp threshing sledge with teeth": This phrase encapsulates God's radical transformation of a weak, vulnerable Israel (the "worm") into a formidable, divinely empowered instrument. The "new" (חָדָשׁ), "sharp" (חָרוּץ), and "with teeth" (בַּעַל פִּיפִיּוֹת) elements of the morag underscore that this is no ordinary tool, but one endowed with supernatural efficacy and destructive potential, engineered by God for a specific purpose.
• "you shall thresh the mountains and crush them": This describes the scope and thoroughness of the victory. The "mountains" symbolize the mightiest, most enduring challenges or adversaries. "Threshing" them implies systematic breaking down, while "crushing them" emphasizes total pulverization, signifying complete dismantling and defeat of all opposition. The passive nature of Israel being made the instrument, then performing the action, highlights their divinely delegated authority and power.
• "and you shall make the hills like chaff": This continues the theme of complete victory and highlights the resulting state of the conquered foes. The "hills," representing all other lesser, yet still significant, obstacles, are rendered utterly worthless, easily dispersed, and lacking any substantial resistance. This imagery illustrates the ease and completeness of their vanquishing when God empowers His people.

Isaiah 41 15 Bonus section

The metaphor in Isaiah 41:15 perfectly illustrates the divine paradox often seen in scripture: God choosing and using the weak and lowly to accomplish His mightiest deeds, thereby ensuring that all glory returns to Him (1 Cor 1:27-29). This is not just a promise of physical victory for ancient Israel but also finds a spiritual echo in the New Covenant. Believers, often perceived as weak in worldly terms, are empowered by the Holy Spirit to confront spiritual "mountains"—like sin, idolatry, and the dominion of darkness—with the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph 6:17), effectively reducing them to "chaff." The morag in its transformed state also prefigures the sharp two-edged sword of God's Word (Heb 4:12; Rev 1:16), capable of piercing and discerning, bringing forth conviction and separation. The transformation of "worm Jacob" into a destructive force highlights the often unexpected and miraculous nature of God's work, challenging human understanding of power and effectiveness.

Isaiah 41 15 Commentary

Isaiah 41:15 is a potent declaration of divine empowerment for God's chosen, yet historically vulnerable, people. Building on the preceding verses which depict Israel as a "worm," this verse uses vivid agricultural imagery to convey a stunning reversal of fortune. God promises to supernaturally equip His weak remnant, transforming them into a devastating threshing sledge—a new, sharp, multi-edged instrument—capable of obliterating the mightiest adversaries. "Mountains" symbolize formidable empires, nations, or entrenched spiritual opposition, while "hills" represent lesser, yet significant, challenges. Both are destined for total annihilation, reduced to worthless "chaff" that the wind easily scatters. The emphasis is entirely on God's initiative ("I will make you"), demonstrating that the victory comes not from Israel's inherent strength, but from the power of the Creator of all things. This serves as an assurance that God enables the meek to overcome the powerful, fulfilling His redemptive purposes. Practically, it encourages believers facing insurmountable difficulties that their strength for victory lies solely in Christ, who empowers the weak to accomplish His will.