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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 42:15 I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation. I will turn the rivers into dry land and drain the marshes.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/42-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/23_Isa_42_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 42:15 - A New Song of Praise" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation. I will turn the rivers into dry land and drain the marshes." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/isaiah/42-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/isaiah/42-15.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/isaiah/">Isaiah</a> > <a href="/isaiah/42.htm">Chapter 42</a> > Verse 15</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/isaiah/42-14.htm" title="Isaiah 42:14">◄</a> Isaiah 42:15 <a href="/isaiah/42-16.htm" title="Isaiah 42:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/isaiah/42.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/isaiah/42.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn rivers into islands and dry up the pools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/42.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I will level the mountains and hills and blight all their greenery. I will turn the rivers into dry land and will dry up all the pools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/42.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />I will lay waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn the rivers into islands, and dry up the pools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/42.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation. I will turn the rivers into dry land and drain the marshes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/42.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/42.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />I will lay waste the mountains and hills, And dry up all their vegetation; I will make the rivers coastlands, And I will dry up the pools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/42.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I will lay waste the mountains and hills And wither all their vegetation; I will turn the rivers into coastlands And dry up the ponds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/42.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220I will lay waste the mountains and hills And wither all their vegetation; I will make the rivers into coastlands And dry up the ponds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/42.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“I will lay waste the mountains and hills, And wither all their vegetation; I will make the rivers into coastlands, And dry up the ponds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/42.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />I will lay waste the mountains and hills And dry up all their vegetation; I will make the rivers into coastlands And dry up the pools <i>of waters</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/42.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“I will lay waste the mountains and hills And wither all their vegetation; I will turn the rivers into coastlands And dry up the ponds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/42.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will lay waste mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation. I will turn rivers into islands and dry up marshes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/42.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will lay waste mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation. I will turn rivers into islands and dry up marshes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/42.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I will lay waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and will dry up the pools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/42.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I will destroy the mountains and what grows on them; I will dry up rivers and ponds. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/42.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and will dry up the pools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/42.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I will lay waste to mountains and hills. I will dry up all their vegetation. I will turn rivers into islands. I will dry up ponds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/42.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I will destroy the hills and mountains and dry up the grass and trees. I will turn the river valleys into deserts and dry up the pools of water. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/42.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I'll devastate the mountains and hills, and dry up all their vegetation; I'll turn rivers into islands, and dry up the ponds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/42.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation. I will turn the rivers into dry land and drain the marshes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/42.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I will make the trees on the mountains and hills wither up; I will dry up all their vegetation. I will turn streams into islands, and dry up pools of water. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/42.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I will destroy mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs. I will make the rivers islands, and will dry up the pools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/42.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers to be islands, and I will dry up the pools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/42.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I will destroy mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs. I will make the rivers islands, and will dry up the pools. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/42.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />I make desolate mountains and hills, "" And I dry up all their herbs, "" And I have made rivers become islands, "" And I dry up ponds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/42.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> I make waste mountains and hills, And all their herbs I dry up, And I have made rivers become isles, And ponds I dry up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/42.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />I will lay waste mountains and hills, and I will dry up all their green herbage; and I set the rivers for islands, and I will dry up the pools.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/42.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />I will lay waste the mountains and hills, and will make all their grass to wither: and I will turn rivers into islands, and will dry up the standing pools. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/42.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />I will desolate the mountains and the hills, and I will wither all their grass. And I will turn rivers into islands, and I will dry up the pools of water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/42.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I will lay waste mountains and hills, all their undergrowth I will dry up; I will turn the rivers into marshes, and the marshes I will dry up. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/42.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I will lay waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbage; I will turn the rivers into islands, and dry up the pools.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/42.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I will lay waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/42.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I shall lay the mountains waste and the hills, and all their strength I shall dry up. I shall make rivers islands and the pools I shall dry up<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/42.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />I will make waste mountains and hills, And dry up all their herbs; And I will make the rivers islands, And will dry up the pools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/42.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />I will make desolate mountains and hills, and will dry up all their grass; and I will make the rivers islands, and dry up the pools.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/42-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=9243" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/42.htm">A New Song of Praise</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>“I have kept silent from ages past; I have remained quiet and restrained. But now I will groan like a woman in labor; I will at once gasp and pant. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2717.htm" title="2717: ’a·ḥă·rîḇ (V-Hifil-Imperf-1cs) -- To parch, to desolate, destroy, kill. Or chareb; a primitive root; to parch i.e. to desolate, destroy, kill.">I will lay waste</a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: hā·rîm (N-mp) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">the mountains</a> <a href="/hebrew/1389.htm" title="1389: ū·ḡə·ḇā·‘ō·wṯ (Conj-w:: N-fp) -- A hill. Feminine from the same as Geba'; a hillock.">and hills</a> <a href="/hebrew/3001.htm" title="3001: ’ō·w·ḇîš (V-Hifil-Imperf-1cs) -- To be dry, dried up, or withered. A primitive root; to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also to dry up or wither.">and dry up</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵāl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/6212.htm" title="6212: ‘eś·bām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Herb, herbage. From an unused root meaning to glisten; grass.">their vegetation.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: wə·śam·tî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">I will turn</a> <a href="/hebrew/5104.htm" title="5104: nə·hā·rō·wṯ (N-mp) -- A stream, river. From nahar; a stream; figuratively, prosperity.">the rivers</a> <a href="/hebrew/339.htm" title="339: lā·’î·yîm (Prep-l, Art:: N-mp) -- Coast, region. From 'avah; properly, a habitable spot; dry land, a coast, an island.">into dry land</a> <a href="/hebrew/3001.htm" title="3001: ’ō·w·ḇîš (V-Hifil-Imperf-1cs) -- To be dry, dried up, or withered. A primitive root; to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also to dry up or wither.">and drain</a> <a href="/hebrew/98.htm" title="98: wa·’ă·ḡam·mîm (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- A marsh, muddy pool. From an unused root; a marsh; hence a rush; hence a stockade of reeds.">the marshes.</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light before them and rough places into level ground. These things I will do for them, and I will not forsake them.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-4.htm">Isaiah 40:4</a></span><br />Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/35-6.htm">Isaiah 35:6-7</a></span><br />Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. / The parched ground will become a pool, the thirsty land springs of water. In the haunt where jackals once lay, there will be grass and reeds and papyrus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-18.htm">Isaiah 41:18-19</a></span><br />I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into flowing springs. / I will plant cedars in the wilderness, acacias, myrtles, and olive trees. I will set cypresses in the desert, elms and boxwood together,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-27.htm">Isaiah 44:27</a></span><br />who says to the depths of the sea, ‘Be dry, and I will dry up your currents,’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/50-2.htm">Isaiah 50:2</a></span><br />Why was no one there when I arrived? Why did no one answer when I called? Is My hand too short to redeem you? Or do I lack the strength to deliver you? Behold, My rebuke dries up the sea; I turn the rivers into a desert; the fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-12.htm">Isaiah 55:12-13</a></span><br />You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. / Instead of the thornbush, the cypress will grow, and instead of the brier, the myrtle will spring up; this will make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign, never to be destroyed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-1.htm">Isaiah 64:1-3</a></span><br />If only You would rend the heavens and come down, so that mountains would quake at Your presence, / as fire kindles the brushwood and causes the water to boil, to make Your name known to Your enemies, so that the nations will tremble at Your presence! / When You did awesome works that we did not expect, You came down, and the mountains trembled at Your presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/4-23.htm">Jeremiah 4:23-26</a></span><br />I looked at the earth, and it was formless and void; I looked to the heavens, and they had no light. / I looked at the mountains, and behold, they were quaking; all the hills were swaying. / I looked, and no man was left; all the birds of the air had fled. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/36-35.htm">Ezekiel 36:35</a></span><br />Then they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden. The cities that were once ruined, desolate, and destroyed are now fortified and inhabited.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/3-18.htm">Joel 3:18</a></span><br />And in that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. All the streams of Judah will run with water, and a spring will flow from the house of the LORD to water the Valley of Acacias.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/9-13.htm">Amos 9:13-14</a></span><br />“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when the plowman will overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes, the sower of seed. The mountains will drip with sweet wine, with which all the hills will flow. / I will restore My people Israel from captivity; they will rebuild and inhabit the ruined cities. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-3.htm">Matthew 3:3</a></span><br />This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-5.htm">Matthew 11:5</a></span><br />The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-3.htm">Mark 1:3</a></span><br />“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-4.htm">Luke 3:4-5</a></span><br />as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him. / Every valley shall be filled in, and every mountain and hill made low. The crooked ways shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/2-12.htm">Isaiah 2:12-16</a></b></br> For the day of the LORD of hosts <i>shall be</i> upon every <i>one that is</i> proud and lofty, and upon every <i>one that is</i> lifted up; and he shall be brought low: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/11-15.htm">Isaiah 11:15,16</a></b></br> And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make <i>men</i> go over dryshod… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/44-27.htm">Isaiah 44:27</a></b></br> That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/42-12.htm">Coastlands</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-14.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-18.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/joshua/4-23.htm">Drying</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-6.htm">Herbage</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-19.htm">Herbs</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-18.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-12.htm">Islands</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-12.htm">Isles</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-21.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-11.htm">Mountains</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-27.htm">Plants</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-10.htm">Ponds</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-18.htm">Pools</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-18.htm">Rivers</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-18.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-27.htm">Vegetation</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-11.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-24.htm">Wither</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/49-1.htm">Coastlands</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-13.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-19.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-10.htm">Drying</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-6.htm">Herbage</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-4.htm">Herbs</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-9.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-1.htm">Islands</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-1.htm">Isles</a> <a href="/isaiah/47-7.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-23.htm">Mountains</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-24.htm">Plants</a> <a href="/exodus/7-19.htm">Ponds</a> <a href="/ezekiel/47-11.htm">Pools</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-2.htm">Rivers</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-16.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-4.htm">Vegetation</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-19.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-13.htm">Wither</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 42</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/42-1.htm">The office of Christ, graced with meekness and constancy.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/42-5.htm">God's promise unto him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/42-10.htm">An exhortation to praise God for his Gospel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/42-13.htm">God will manifest himself, and check idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/42-18.htm">He reproves the people of incredulity.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/42.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/42.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>I will lay waste the mountains and hills</b><br>This phrase signifies God's power and judgment. Mountains and hills often symbolize strength, stability, and permanence in biblical literature. The imagery of laying waste to these features suggests a dramatic transformation, indicating God's ability to overturn the natural order. In the context of Isaiah, this can be seen as a metaphor for God's judgment against nations or powers that oppose His will. Historically, mountains were places of pagan worship, and this destruction could symbolize the dismantling of idolatry. This imagery is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/isaiah/40-4.htm">Isaiah 40:4</a>, where mountains are made low, symbolizing the humbling of the proud.<p><b>and dry up all their vegetation</b><br>Vegetation represents life, prosperity, and sustenance. The drying up of vegetation indicates a removal of life-giving resources, often associated with divine judgment or a call to repentance. In the ancient Near East, agriculture was central to survival, and a lack of vegetation would lead to famine and hardship. This phrase can also be seen as a reversal of the blessings described in <a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28</a>, where obedience to God results in abundant crops. Theologically, it underscores the theme of God as the ultimate provider and sustainer, who can also withdraw His provision as a form of discipline.<p><b>I will turn the rivers into dry land</b><br>Rivers are vital sources of water, essential for life and agriculture. Turning rivers into dry land signifies a severe judgment, as it removes a critical resource. This act can be seen as a demonstration of God's sovereignty over creation, similar to the parting of the Red Sea in <a href="/exodus/14.htm">Exodus 14</a>, where God controls the waters to deliver His people. In a prophetic sense, this could foreshadow the spiritual dryness that comes from turning away from God, contrasting with the living water that Jesus offers in <a href="/john/4-14.htm">John 4:14</a>.<p><b>and drain the marshes</b><br>Marshes, or wetlands, are areas of rich biodiversity and ecological importance. Draining them would lead to ecological collapse, symbolizing total desolation. In biblical times, marshes could also be seen as places of refuge or hiding, and their draining could imply that there is no escape from God's judgment. This imagery might also connect to the cleansing and purifying work of God, removing impurities and preparing the way for new growth, akin to the refining process described in <a href="/malachi/3-2.htm">Malachi 3:2-3</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book that bears his name. He prophesied during the reigns of several kings of Judah and is known for his messages of both judgment and hope.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/mountains_and_hills.htm">Mountains and Hills</a></b><br>In biblical literature, mountains and hills often symbolize strength, stability, and sometimes the presence of God. Here, they represent obstacles or entities that God will overcome or transform.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/r/rivers_and_pools.htm">Rivers and Pools</a></b><br>These are symbols of life, sustenance, and prosperity. Their drying up signifies judgment and the removal of life-giving resources.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/judgment.htm">Judgment</a></b><br>The act of God bringing justice and correction, often through transformative or destructive means, as a response to sin or disobedience.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/r/restoration.htm">Restoration</a></b><br>Although not explicitly mentioned in this verse, the broader context of Isaiah includes themes of restoration following judgment, highlighting God's ultimate plan for redemption.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_creation.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Creation</a></b><br>God has absolute control over the natural world. He can transform landscapes to fulfill His purposes, demonstrating His power and authority.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/judgment_as_a_path_to_redemption.htm">Judgment as a Path to Redemption</a></b><br>God's acts of judgment are not merely punitive but serve a greater purpose in His redemptive plan. They are meant to lead people back to Him and prepare the way for restoration.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_impermanence_of_earthly_stability.htm">The Impermanence of Earthly Stability</a></b><br>Mountains and rivers, often seen as permanent and reliable, can be altered by God. This reminds us not to place our ultimate trust in earthly things but in God alone.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a></b><br>Recognizing God's power to bring both judgment and blessing should lead us to examine our lives, repent of sin, and align ourselves with His will.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/42.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">I will make waste mountains . . .</span>--The whole description is symbolic, and points to the subjugation of the heathen nations, the "rivers" and "pools" probably representing the kingdoms of the Tigris and Euphrates (<a href="/isaiah/8-7.htm" title="Now therefore, behold, the Lord brings up on them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:">Isaiah 8:7</a>). All this seems a purely destructive work, but through it all mercy and truth are working, and a way is being opened for the return of Israel, in painting which, as elsewhere, the literal melts into the spiritual, as in a dissolving view. (See Note on <a href="/isaiah/40-4.htm" title="Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:">Isaiah 40:4</a>.) "These things" include the whole work of judgment and of mercy.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/42.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I will make waste mountains and hills</span>. The result of God's "stirring up his jealousy," and giving a free vent to his feelings, will be the destruction of the great and mighty ones of the earth (comp. <a href="/isaiah/2-14.htm">Isaiah 2:14</a>). These are probably, in this place, the Babylonian kings and nobles. Dry up all their herbs; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> turn Babylonia, temporarily, into a desert. <span class="cmt_word">Make the rivers islands, and dry up the pools</span>. Invert the established order of things - turn the rivers into dry land, and empty the reservoirs. There is, perhaps, some allusion to those dealings with the river-beds, which the Greek historians ascribe to Cyrus (Herod., 1:189, 191; Xen., 'Cyrop.,' 7:5, § 10), and which are not disproved by the fact that the one native account of the capture of Babylon by Cyrus, which has come down to us, makes no mention of them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/42-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">I will lay waste</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחֲרִ֤יב</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥă·rîḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2717.htm">Strong's 2717: </a> </span><span class="str2">To parch, to desolate, destroy, kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the mountains</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mountain, hill, hill country</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and hills</span><br /><span class="heb">וּגְבָע֔וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḡə·ḇā·‘ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1389.htm">Strong's 1389: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hillock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and dry up</span><br /><span class="heb">אוֹבִ֑ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·w·ḇîš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3001.htm">Strong's 3001: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be ashamed, confused, disappointed, to dry up, wither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their vegetation.</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶשְׂבָּ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘eś·bām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6212.htm">Strong's 6212: </a> </span><span class="str2">Herb, herbage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will turn</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשַׂמְתִּ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·śam·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> </span><span class="str2">Put -- to put, place, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the rivers</span><br /><span class="heb">נְהָרוֹת֙</span> <span class="translit">(nə·hā·rō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5104.htm">Strong's 5104: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stream, prosperity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">into islands</span><br /><span class="heb">לָֽאִיִּ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(lā·’î·yîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_339.htm">Strong's 339: </a> </span><span class="str2">A habitable spot, dry land, a coast, an island</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and dry up</span><br /><span class="heb">אוֹבִֽישׁ׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·w·ḇîš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3001.htm">Strong's 3001: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be ashamed, confused, disappointed, to dry up, wither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the marshes.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַאֲגַמִּ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(wa·’ă·ḡam·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_98.htm">Strong's 98: </a> </span><span class="str2">A marsh, a rush, a stockade of reeds</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/42-15.htm">Isaiah 42:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/42-15.htm">Isaiah 42:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/42-15.htm">Isaiah 42:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/42-15.htm">Isaiah 42:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/42-15.htm">Isaiah 42:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/42-15.htm">Isaiah 42:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/42-15.htm">Isaiah 42:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/42-15.htm">Isaiah 42:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/42-15.htm">Isaiah 42:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/42-15.htm">Isaiah 42:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/42-15.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 42:15 I will destroy mountains and hills (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/42-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 42:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 42:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/42-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 42:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 42:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>