Isaiah 34:1
“Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A summons to all peoples and the earth itself to witness God's judgment.
Context
Isaiah opens Chapter 34 with a universal call to attention, as if the whole creation must gather to hear what God has done.
What Does Isaiah 34:1 Mean?
The prophet calls to all nations, all peoples, the earth and its fullness. This is not a quiet word but a proclamation meant for every creature. The earth is personified as a witness and participant, as though all creation holds its breath to hear. In biblical thought, creation itself bears witness to God's acts; what happens to Edom concerns the very ground that holds it.
We hear in this summons the voice of Jesus, who will one day call all nations before Him in judgment. His word is also universal, addressed to all who have ears to hear, summoning us not to fear but to witness His righteousness revealed.
Application
When God speaks a word of judgment, the whole cosmos listens. What is He calling us to hear today? His judgments are never hidden; they are proclaimed openly for all to see and learn from.