Isaiah – Chapter 34

Old Testament • 17 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 34 of Isaiah begins: "Come near, ye Gentiles, and hear, and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein, the world, and every thing that…" Across its 17 verses, two threads run through the text: God's protection and deliverance and sin and divine judgment. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Come near, ye Gentiles, and hear, and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein, the world, and every thing that cometh forth of it.

2For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath killed them, and delivered them to slaughter.

3Their slain shall be cast forth, and out of their carcasses shall rise a stink: the mountains shall be melted with their blood.

4And all the host of the heavens shall pine away, and the heavens shall be folded together as a book: and all their host shall fall down as the leaf falleth from the vine, and from the fig tree.

5For my sword is inebriated in heaven: behold it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my slaughter unto judgment.

6The sword of the Lord is filled with blood, it is made thick with the blood of lambs and buck goats, with the blood of rams full of marrow: for there is a victim of the Lord in Bosra and a great slaughter in the land of Edom.

7And the unicorns shall go down with them, and the bulls with the mighty: their land shall be soaked with blood, and their ground with the fat of fat ones.

8For it is the day of the vengeance of the Lord, the year of recompenses of the judgment of Sion.

9And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the ground thereof into brimstone: and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.

10Night and day it shall not be quenched, the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste, none shall pass through it for ever and ever.

11The bittern and ericius shall possess it: and the ibis and the raven shall dwell in it: and a line shall be stretched out upon it, to bring it to nothing, and a plummet, unto desolation.

12The nobles thereof shall not be there: they shall call rather upon the king, and all the princes thereof shall be nothing.

13And thorns and nettles shall grow up in its houses, and the thistle in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be the habitation of dragons, and the pasture of ostriches.

14And demons and monsters shall meet, and the hairy ones shall cry out one to another, there hath the lamia lain down, and found rest for herself.

15There hath the ericius had its hole, and brought up its young ones, and hath dug round about, and cherished them in the shadow thereof: thither are the kites gathered together one to another.

16Search ye diligently in the book of the Lord, and read: not one of them was wanting, one hath not sought for the other: for that which proceedeth out of my mouth, he hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

17And he hath cast the lot for them, and his hand hath divided it to them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation they shall dwell therein.

Important Verses in Isaiah 34

“Come near, ye Gentiles, and hear, and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein, the world, and every thing that cometh forth of it.”

Isaiah 34:1

“And all the host of the heavens shall pine away, and the heavens shall be folded together as a book: and all their host shall fall down as the leaf falleth from the vine, and from the fig tree.”

Isaiah 34:4

“For it is the day of the vengeance of the Lord, the year of recompenses of the judgment of Sion.”

Isaiah 34:8

“Search ye diligently in the book of the Lord, and read: not one of them was wanting, one hath not sought for the other: for that which proceedeth out of my mouth, he hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.”

Isaiah 34:16

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Isaiah was written with judah in crisis, the exiles in Babylon, and all who await the Messiah in view. Chapter 34 of 66 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 17 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "Come near, ye Gentiles, and hear, and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein, the world, and…" The chapter ends with: "And he hath cast the lot for them, and his hand hath divided it to them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from…" In terms of historical background, Isaiah prophesied in Jerusalem during the Assyrian crisis, calling kings to trust God rather than alliances. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Isaiah around Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC).

Who Wrote It

The prophet Isaiah of Jerusalem; chapters 40-66 continue his message through inspired disciples

When It Was Written

Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC)

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter presents teaching, action, or revelation within the broader account of judgment, comfort, and messianic hope. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Come near, ye Gentiles, and hear, and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein, the world, and every thing that cometh forth of it." The passage repeatedly touches on God's protection and deliverance.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 385). Here, Isaiah's prophecies are fulfilled in Christ, especially the Suffering Servant (CIC 601). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize God's protection and deliverance as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • ✓The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.
  • ✓Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • ✓God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.

Reflection for Today

The central section of Isaiah—Chapter 34 of 66—opens a particular moment in the story of judgment, comfort, and messianic hope.

According to Catholic teaching, Isaiah's prophecies are fulfilled in Christ, especially the Suffering Servant (CIC 601). This chapter especially highlights the role of the sacraments in sanctification, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 1502).

Let Isaiah Chapter 34 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Isaiah Chapter 34 about?

Isaiah 34 contains 17 verses. It opens with "Come near, ye Gentiles, and hear, and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein, the world, and…" and closes with "And he hath cast the lot for them, and his hand hath divided it to them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from…". The book as a whole is prophetic oracles and poetry.

What is a key verse in Isaiah 34?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Come near, ye Gentiles, and hear, and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein, the world, and every thing that cometh forth of it." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Isaiah and when?

The prophet Isaiah of Jerusalem; chapters 40-66 continue his message through inspired disciples. Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC).

Related Chapters

1 Samuel 24Shares people and themes with this chapter2 Chronicles 12Shares people and themes with this chapterBaruch 6Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayers for Protection🙏Prayer to St. Michael🙏Act of Contrition🙏Kyrie Eleison

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