Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
ISAIAH 5:25KJVWhat does Isaiah 5:25 mean?
Isaiah 5:25 describes God’s anger burning against His own people because of their wrongdoing, leading Him to strike them with judgment so severe that the land shakes and bodies lie in the streets, yet even after this, His anger is not finished and His hand is still raised to act. This verse shows that the consequences of the people’s actions are serious and ongoing.
The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah, warning them about the results of their persistent disobedience and injustice. The verse uses strong, vivid language to show the seriousness of God’s response, with images of trembling hills and devastation in the streets. Even after such judgment, Isaiah emphasizes that God’s anger remains because the people have not turned back to Him.
The Hebrew behind Isaiah 5:25
- "anger" (אַף, ʾaf): This word means more than just irritation; it often refers to a deep, burning wrath. Here, it highlights the intensity of God’s response to the people’s behavior.
- "kindled" (חָרָה, charah): This word carries the sense of something being set ablaze or ignited, making it clear that God’s anger is not passive but actively burning against wrongdoing.
- "hand" (יָד, yad): In Hebrew, the hand often symbolizes power or action. God’s “stretched out hand” shows that He is personally involved in bringing judgment, not distant or uninvolved.
- "smitten" (נָכָה, nakah): This verb means to strike or hit, often with force. It underlines the real, physical consequences of God’s judgment on the people.
Why Isaiah 5:25 matters
- This verse clears up the idea that God’s anger is easily satisfied; even after severe judgment, Isaiah says God’s anger is “not turned away,” showing the depth of the people’s unfaithfulness.
- The repeated image of God’s “stretched out hand” connects to other places in Isaiah, emphasizing that God’s actions are deliberate and ongoing, not a one-time event.
- Isaiah 5:25 sets the stage for the following verses, helping readers understand that the warnings and judgments are not just threats but real events that have already begun and may continue if the people do not change.