Isaiah 7:25 Meaning and Explanation
“And on all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns: but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Even hills once cultivated with effort will be reclaimed for grazing only, not farming, and free from fear of thorns.
The Context of Isaiah 7:25
The land will be used only for grazing after devastation, not intensive farming.
What Does Isaiah 7:25 Mean?
This concluding verse presents a future state after the devastation settles. Hills that were once carefully worked with mattocks for cultivation will no longer be farmed. Instead, they will be used only for pasturing oxen and small cattle—a reversion to pastoral rather than agricultural use. The phrase 'there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns' suggests that the land, though overgrown during the invasion, will eventually be grazed down by animals, clearing the worst of the wild growth.
The verse offers a glimpse of recovery, though at a reduced level. Judah will not return to its former prosperity but will eventually restore a pastoral, less intensive way of life. The shift from cultivated agriculture to herding represents a dramatic economic downgrade but also indicates that life will continue. Survivors will rebuild, though on a smaller, simpler scale than before judgment fell.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 7:25
What does Isaiah 7:25 mean?
Even hills once cultivated with effort will be reclaimed for grazing only, not farming, and free from fear of thorns.
What is the context of Isaiah 7:25?
The land will be used only for grazing after devastation, not intensive farming.