Old Testament

Isaiah 22:25

Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.

ClearClear Bible Translation

"In that day," declares the LORD of hosts, "the nail that is fastened in the secure place will be removed, cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it will be cut off." The LORD has spoken.

Compare translations
KJVKing James Version

In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.

What Isaiah 22:25 means

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, God is speaking about a time of judgment and change. The 'nail' symbolizes a person or a position of stability that is no longer reliable. When God says it will be removed and cut down, it indicates that those who have relied on this stability will face consequences. The 'burden' refers to the responsibilities or expectations that were placed on this person or position. When the nail falls, the burdens will also be lifted, suggesting a significant shift in leadership or authority. This passage serves as a warning that what seems secure can be taken away by God, emphasizing His sovereignty and the need for people to place their trust in Him rather than in human leaders or systems.

How to apply Isaiah 22:25 to your life

This verse reminds us to evaluate where we place our trust. Instead of relying on human leaders or systems that may fail, we should anchor our faith in God, who is unchanging and sovereign. It encourages us to seek God's guidance in our lives.

Curated for this public verse page. Isaiah Summary

Explore more of the Bible

Learn the Bible through its people and places

Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

A painting of Daniel and his three friends eating vegetables and drinking water in a Babylonian hall, while other young men eat the king's food and drink wine and the steward looks on

Illustrated scene from Daniel's story: Faithful at the King's Table (Daniel 1:1–21)

Meet the people of the Bible

Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.

Daniel

A ruined stone tower with a doorway at Burj Beitin, lit by low evening sun under a cloudy sky.

Photo: Bukvoed, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 4.0. Source. Location: Burj Beitin, Beitin, Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, West Bank. Resized for the web.

Explore the places of the Bible

See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.

Bethel

Where Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven and met God.

Get full access with one subscription

Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.

See Plans

Ask AI about Isaiah 22:25

Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.

Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter

Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.

Keep studying Isaiah 22:25

At a Glance — the Book of Isaiah

Author
Isaiah the prophet
Written
Around 700 BC
Genre
Prophecy
Original Audience
Judah and the surrounding nations

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Isaiah 22:25 mean?

Isaiah 22:25 speaks about a time of judgment where a stable position, represented by a 'nail,' will be removed, indicating a loss of reliability in leadership. It highlights that those who depended on this stability will face consequences, and the burdens associated with it will also be lifted.

What is the significance of the 'nail' in Isaiah 22:25?

In Isaiah 22:25, the 'nail' symbolizes a person or position of stability that is no longer dependable. Its removal signifies a shift in authority and serves as a warning about the instability of human leadership.

What does the 'burden' refer to in Isaiah 22:25?

The 'burden' in Isaiah 22:25 refers to the responsibilities or expectations placed on the person or position represented by the 'nail.' When the nail falls, these burdens are also cut off, indicating a significant change in leadership.

What themes are present in Isaiah 22:25?

Isaiah 22:25 encompasses themes such as divine judgment, instability in leadership, the sovereignty of God, and the removal of burdens. It emphasizes the need to trust in God rather than in unreliable human systems.

Daily Verse — straight to your inbox

A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.