Isaiah 25:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations.

NIV: On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations;

NASB: And on this mountain He will destroy the covering which is over all peoples, The veil which is stretched over all nations.

CSB: On this mountain he will swallow up the burial shroud, the shroud over all the peoples, the sheet covering all the nations.

NLT: There he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth.

KJV: And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.

NKJV: And He will destroy on this mountain The surface of the covering cast over all people, And the veil that is spread over all nations.

The people of the world are pictured gathered at Mount Zion in Jerusalem. The assemble to celebrate the inauguration of the Lord as King over all the earth. The Lord has prepared a rich meal for everyone at the banquet (Isaiah 25:6).

The prophet now adds that Lord will "swallow up" in that place "the covering" that is over all peoples He is talking about a "veil" that no nation can escape. It is clear from the context of the following verses that He is talking about death (Isaiah 25:8). No matter how good any life might be, every human life ends in death. This truth blankets our existence from birth until it takes us. This is the curse brought on humanity by sin from the time of Adam in the garden:

"By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19).

When the Lord's direct reign begins, He will take away death and destroy it forever. This is because the Messiah, Jesus Christ, died to pay the death penalty for all who trust in Him. He was raised to life again, defeating death forever (1 Corinthians 15:12–57). That victory finally comes to full fruition in this moment for all of God's people. Death is defeated once and for all.

Chapter 25:6–12 describes a celebratory feast, hosted by God Himself, at the inauguration of His kingdom. The Lord will completely remove death and the shame of sin from His people. He also describes how the Lord takes away death forever for those who are His. The salvation which Israel long expected will come at last. In contrast, those who still refuse God's authority are crushed and humiliated. Moab, symbolic of all the nations who hated Israel, is depicted writhing in a cesspit under God's heel.

Isaiah's description of the Lord's judgment on the earth is followed by celebration. This comes at the beginning of the Lord's reign over all the earth. The prophet declares his own praise for God's wonderful works and righteous plans. The Lord protects the needy from the ruthless. At the inaugural banquet, the Lord swallows up death forever and wipes away every tear. All the people declare that they were right to wait on their Lord to save them. The Lord judges unbelieving Moab by trampling them into their place.

In the previous chapter, the Lord of hosts is said to reign on Mount Zion following His judgment of the entire earth. Here, Isaiah declares His praise for the Lord who protects the poor and needy. At an inaugural banquet for His kingdom, the Lord swallows up death forever. He also takes away the shame of His people's sin while wiping away their tears. The people rejoice and are glad for waiting on the Lord's salvation. The Lord destroys Moab—symbolic of nations who reject God—in judgment for not trusting in Him.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).