Isaiah 34:9-10
And the streams of Edom shall be turned into pitch, and her soil into sulfur; her land shall become burning pitch. Night and day it shall not be quenched; its smoke shall go up forever. From generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it forever and ever.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The prophecy doesn't just describe fire and brimstone, but transforms the very elements of Edom—its streams and soil—into combustible materials. This vivid, almost alchemical change emphasizes a complete and unnatural destruction, mirroring the fiery ruin of Sodom and Gomorrah, making the land itself an active participant in its own judgment.
This prophecy describes a cataclysmic judgment about to fall upon Edom, portrayed as a land literally consumed by fire and brimstone. The imagery of streams turning to pitch and soil to sulfur evokes the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, highlighting the utter desolation and divine wrath that will befall the nation. This scene of fiery ruin directly follows God's declaration of vengeance against the nations who have opposed His people, setting the stage for the complete annihilation of Edom as an example of His judgment.
Imagine rivers not flowing with water, but with thick, burning pitch. What does this extreme imagery tell us about God's judgment?
The prophet Isaiah uses incredibly vivid and terrifying imagery to describe the destruction of Edom. He says their streams will turn to pitch and their soil to sulfur, making the land itself a burning mass.
A Visual of Utter Devastation
This isn't just a poetic flourish; it's meant to convey the absolute totality of the judgment.
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Why would Isaiah connect the fate of Edom to that of the infamous cities of the plain? What lessons are embedded in this comparison?
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is a foundational story in the Bible, representing God's absolute judgment against sin and rebellion. Isaiah deliberately invokes this event when describing Edom's fate.
A Typology of Divine Wrath
By referencing Sodom, Isaiah connects Edom's judgment to a well-understood example of God's severe punishment.
Understand the original words
gophriyth · Hebrew Noun
A mineral used to produce fire and brimstone; in Scripture, it is consistently associated with divine judgment, hellfire, and the total destruction of the ungodly.
shemamah · Hebrew Noun
Desolation or ruin; refers to a state of being deserted, uninhabited, and unproductive, often as a result of divine judgment or historical conquest.
The prophecy in Isaiah 34 paints a vivid picture of utter desolation for Edom, drawing on imagery of fire and brimstone reminiscent of Sodom and Gomorrah. This intense language is directly linked to Edom's hostile actions against Judah during the Babylonian conquest and subsequent exile, highlighting divine judgment against those who oppress God's people.
c. 1570 BC
New Kingdom of Egypt established
Following the expulsion of the Hyksos, Egypt entered a period of significant power and expansion. This period saw increased Egyptian influence in the Levant, which would have bordered and potentially impacted Edom's development and relations with its neighbors.
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy of Israel
During the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon, the Israelites established a unified kingdom. Edom was frequently in conflict with and often subservient to this burgeoning Israelite power, as noted in the biblical narratives.
c. 930 BC
Division of the Kingdom of Israel
After Solomon's death, the united kingdom split into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. This division weakened Israelite influence and may have offered Edom opportunities to reassert its independence or engage in regional power plays.
732 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Damascus
The Neo-Assyrian Empire, under Tiglath-Pileser III, began its westward expansion, conquering Damascus and subjugating many of the smaller kingdoms in the region, including likely impacting Edom's political landscape.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian Empire conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting its population. This event significantly altered the geopolitical balance and increased Assyrian dominance over the region, directly affecting Judah and indirectly Edom.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Neo-Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar II, destroyed Jerusalem and exiled a significant portion of the Judean population. Edomite actions during this period were hostile towards the exiled Judeans, leading to prophecy against them.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great, overthrew the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This marked a new era for the region, allowing for the return of some exiles, but the prophecies against Edom's utter desolation continued to resonate.
This passage describes the fiery destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah with brimstone and fire, mirroring the intense imagery of Edom's land turning into burning pitch and sulfur.
Jeremiah 49:18Jeremiah echoes Isaiah's prophecy concerning Edom's desolation, directly comparing its fate to the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, emphasizing that no one will dwell there.
Deuteronomy 29:23This verse speaks of the land being burned with sulfur and salt, highlighting the theme of divine judgment turning fertile land into a desolate, burning wasteland, similar to the fate of Edom described in Isaiah.
Revelation 17:16The imagery of fire consuming a corrupt city or system in Revelation resonates with Isaiah's depiction of Edom's land being consumed by burning pitch, symbolizing utter destruction by divine judgment.
bensonIsaiah 34:9: "And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch."
Isaiah 34:9-15 . And the streams thereof — The rivers, which seem most secure from the judgment here threatened; shall be turned into pitch, &c. — The country shall be dealt with as Sodom and Gomorrah were, even utterly destroyed, as it were, by fire, or burning pitch and brimstone, thrown down upon it from heaven. From generation to generation…
barnesIsaiah 34:9: "And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch."
And the streams thereof - The idea here is, that there would be as great and awful a destruction as if the streams everywhere should become pitch or resin, which would be set on fire, and which would fill the land with flame. This image is very striking, as we may see by supposing the rivers and streams in any land to flow not with water, but w…
The prophecy doesn't just describe fire and brimstone, but transforms the very elements of Edom—its streams and soil—into combustible materials. This vivid, almost alchemical change emphasizes a complete and unnatural destruction, mirroring the fiery ruin of Sodom and Gomorrah, making the land itself an active participant in its own judgment.
This prophecy describes a cataclysmic judgment about to fall upon Edom, portrayed as a land literally consumed by fire and brimstone. The imagery of streams turning to pitch and soil to sulfur evokes the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, highlighting the utter desolation and divine wrath that will befall the nation. This scene of fiery ruin directly follows God's declaration of vengeance against the nations who have opposed His people, setting the stage for the complete annihilation of Edom as an example of His judgment.
This prophecy describes a cataclysmic judgment about to fall upon Edom, portrayed as a land literally consumed by fire and brimstone. The imagery of streams turning to pitch and soil to sulfur evokes the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, highlighting the utter desolation and divine wrath that will befall the nation. This scene of fiery ruin directly follows God's declaration of vengeance against the nations who have opposed His people, setting the stage for the complete annihilation of Edom as an example of His judgment.
"And the streams of Edom shall be turned into pitch, and her soil into sulfur; her land shall become burning pitch. Night and day it shall not be quenched; its smoke shall go up forever. From generation to genera…" — The prophecy doesn't just describe fire and brimstone, but transforms the very elements of Edom—its streams and soil—into combustible materials. This vivid, almost alchemical change emphasizes a co…
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