In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.

ISAIAH 22:25KJV
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Isaiah 22:25 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 22:25 mean?

Isaiah 22:25 says that a "nail" once fastened securely will be removed, cut down, and fall, and everything depending on it will collapse, because the LORD has declared it. This verse uses the image of a nail to show that someone or something once considered stable and trustworthy will lose its position and support.

Isaiah is speaking God's message to the people of Jerusalem, warning them about coming judgment. The "nail" is often understood as a leader or official who seemed dependable, but God says even this person or thing will be taken away. This verse closes a prophecy about misplaced trust in human strength or leadership, showing that even the most secure-seeming supports can fail if God decides it.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 22:25

  • "nail" (יַתֵּד, yatēd): This word refers to a peg or stake driven into something solid, often used for tents or structures. Here, it pictures someone or something seen as a strong support.
  • "fastened" (תָּקוּעַ, taqu'a): This means to be firmly fixed or driven in, emphasizing how secure this "nail" appeared to be.
  • "sure" (נֶאֱמָן, ne'eman): This word means faithful, reliable, or trustworthy. The verse stresses that the support seemed completely dependable.
  • "removed" (מוּשׁ, mush): This word means to be moved or taken away, highlighting that the security was only temporary under God's control.

Why Isaiah 22:25 matters

  • Isaiah 22:25 warns that even the most reliable-seeming leaders or supports can be removed if God wills it, challenging any false sense of security in human strength.
  • The verse ties together the message of Isaiah 22, which criticizes the people for trusting in their own preparations and leaders rather than in God.
  • Understanding the "nail" as a symbol for a person or position helps clarify that the prophecy is not just about objects, but about the downfall of those who seemed unshakable.

Where else these words appear

“nail” Hebrew H3489 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 27:19 All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, shall be of brass.
  • Numbers 4:32 And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords, with all their instruments, and with all their service: and by name ye shall reckon the instruments of the charge of their burden.
  • Ezra 9:8 And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.

“removed” Hebrew H4185 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 13:22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
  • Psalms 55:11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
  • Jeremiah 31:36 If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.

“down” Hebrew H1438 · used in 23 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:5 But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:7 And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.
  • Isaiah 45:2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

“burden” Hebrew H4853 · used in 60 verses

  • Exodus 23:5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.
  • 2 Chronicles 17:11 Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.
  • Isaiah 23:1 The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.