Old Testament
Isaiah 41:15
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Look — I am making you into a new threshing sledge with sharp teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them to pieces; you will turn the hills into chaff.
Compare translations
Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.
What Isaiah 41:15 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Isaiah 41:15, God promises to transform His people into a powerful tool, likened to a threshing sledge, which is used to separate grain from chaff. This imagery suggests that they will have the strength and capability to overcome great obstacles, represented by mountains and hills. The sharp teeth of the sledge symbolize effectiveness and precision in their actions. The mountains and hills, which are often seen as formidable challenges, will be crushed and reduced to nothing, illustrating God's ability to empower His people to achieve victory over their adversities. This verse emphasizes the theme of divine empowerment, where God equips His followers to accomplish what seems impossible. It reassures believers that, with God's help, they can face and conquer significant challenges in their lives, transforming them into opportunities for growth and triumph.
How to apply Isaiah 41:15 to your life
This verse encourages us to trust in God's power to help us overcome our challenges. When facing difficulties, we can remember that God equips us with the strength and tools needed to conquer our mountains. We should step forward in faith, believing in our potential to achieve great things with His guidance.
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.

Illustrated scene from Moses's story: Israel Enslaved in Egypt (Exodus 1:8–22)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Moses

Photo: Diego Delso, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Source. Location: Tell es-Sultan, Jericho, 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.
Jericho
The city of palm trees, whose walls fell in Joshua's day.
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 PlansAsk AI about Isaiah 41:15
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 41:15
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
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 41:15 mean?
Isaiah 41:15 means that God is transforming His people into a powerful tool, like a threshing sledge, to overcome great challenges. The verse illustrates how God empowers His followers to conquer obstacles that seem insurmountable.
What is the significance of the threshing sledge in Isaiah 41:15?
The threshing sledge in Isaiah 41:15 symbolizes strength and effectiveness. It represents God's ability to equip His people with the necessary tools to crush their challenges and achieve victory.
What does the phrase 'thresh the mountains' mean in Isaiah 41:15?
The phrase 'thresh the mountains' signifies overcoming significant obstacles. It illustrates that with God's help, believers can tackle and reduce even the most formidable challenges to nothing.
How can Isaiah 41:15 be applied in daily life?
Isaiah 41:15 can be applied by trusting in God's power to help overcome personal challenges. It encourages believers to step forward in faith, believing they have the strength to achieve great things with God's guidance.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.