Isaiah 32:15

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 32:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness become a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be esteemed as a forest.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness become a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be esteemed as a forest.
Isaiah 32:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 32

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness become a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be esteemed as a forest.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high, &c.] That is, Jerusalem shall lie in ruins until this time comes; which therefore cannot be understood of the effusion of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, which, as it was before the destruction of the city by the Romans, so the desolation it was brought to by the Chaldeans did not last so long; but must be interpreted of a pouring forth of the Spirit in his gifts and graces yet to come, which will bring on the fulness of the Gentiles, and the conversion of the Jews, and till that time comes Jerusalem will continue in a ruinous condition; the sense is the same with that of (<422124>Luke 21:24) “Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“This can only partially apply to the spiritual revival in Hezekiah's time; its full accomplishment belongs to the Christian dispensation, first at Pentecost (Joe 2:28; Act 2:17), perfectly in coming times (Psa 104:30; Eze 36:26; Eze 39:29; Zac 12:10), when the Spirit shall be poured on Israel, and through it on the Gentiles (Mic 5:7). wilderness . . . fruitful field . . . forest--when Judea, so long waste, shall be populous and fruitful, and the land of the enemies of God shall be desolate. Or, "the field, now fruitful, shall be but as a barren forest in comparison with what it shall be then" (Isa 29:17). The barren shall become fruitful by regeneration; those already regenerate shall bring…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Until the Spirit - The Spirit of God, as the source of all blessings, and especially as able to meet and remove the ills of the long calamity and desolation. This evidently refers to some future period, when the evils which the prophet was contemplating would be succeeded by the spread of the true religion. If the prophet meant to confine his description of calamities to those which would attend the invasion of Sennacherib, then this refers to the piety and prosperity which would prevail after that during the reign of Hezekiah. If he designed, as Lowth supposes, to describe the calamites which would attend the invasion of the Chaldeans and the desolation of the city of Jerusalem during the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Until - Until the time come, in which God will pour, or, as the Hebrew word properly signifies, reveal, evidently and plentifully pour out his spirit from heaven upon his people, which was fully accomplished in the days of the Messiah. The fruitful field - God's people who were desolate, shall be revived and flourish, and their flourishing enemies shall be brought to destruction. Isaiah 32:16”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“32:15 The Spirit would transform the nation into a godly community and bring in an era of justice and righteousness (see also Joel 2:28-32). The Spirit is connected to the Messiah (Isa 11:1) and the servant (42:1; 61:1). • wilderness . . . bountiful crops: When the people are transformed, nature will be too.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the spirit: Isa 11:2, Isa 11:3, Isa 44:3, Isa 45:8, Isa 59:19-21, Isa 63:11; Psa 104:30, Psa 107:33; Pro 1:23; Eze 39:29; Joe 2:28, Joe 2:29; Zac 12:10; Luk 24:49; Joh 7:39; Act 2:17, Act 2:18, Act 2:33; Co2 3:8; Tit 3:5, Tit 3:6 wilderness: Isa 29:17, Isa 35:2, Isa 35:7, Isa 54:1-3, Isa 55:11-13, 60:1-22, Isa 61:3-5; Hos 1:10, Hos 1:11; Rom 11:18-26 Isaiah 32:16”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The state would then continue long, very long, until at last the destruction of the false rest would be followed by the realization of the true. "Until the Spirit is poured out over us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as the forest. And justice makes its abode in the desert, and righteousness settles down upon the fruit-field. And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the reward of righteousness rest and security for ever. And my people dwells in a place of peace, and in trustworthy, safe dwellings, and in cheerful resting-places. And it hails with the overthrow of the forest, and into lowliness must the city be brought…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification