Lexical Summary barad: hail Original Word: בָּרַד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hail A primitive root, to hail -- hail. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origindenominative verb from barad Definition to hail NASB Translation hail (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs בָּרַד verb denominative hail, וּבָרַד בְּרֶדֶת הַיָּ֑עַר consecutive Isaiah 32:19 it shall hail. Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Hebrew 1258 בָּרַד denotes the act of “hailing,” the descent of hail from heaven. The solitary occurrence of the verb in Isaiah 32:19 is set within a prophecy that contrasts coming judgment with ultimate restoration. Though the lexical form appears only once, the concept of hail is woven throughout Scripture as a vivid sign of divine intervention, most often connected to judgment but also to covenantal faithfulness and protection. Biblical Context Isaiah 32 portrays the righteous reign of a coming king (verses 1–8), followed by warnings to complacent hearers (verses 9–14) and promises of the Spirit’s outpouring (verses 15–20). Within this section, verse 19 announces, “But hail will level the forest, and the city will sink into the valley.”. The verb “will hail” pictures a sudden, unstoppable storm flattening proud human achievements. Isaiah couples agricultural and architectural images to assure his audience that God will not allow wickedness to stand, even while He prepares a fertile future (verse 20). Hail as a Divine Instrument of Judgment 1. Exodus 9:18–26 – During the seventh plague, hail cut down Egypt’s crops and livestock, demonstrating Yahweh’s supremacy over Pharaoh and the gods of nature. Throughout these accounts, hail is more than weather; it is targeted, purposeful, and morally charged. God wields creation to vindicate His holiness and protect His covenant people. Prophetic Imagery and Future Fulfillment Prophets employ hail to forecast eschatological upheaval. In Isaiah 28:17 hail sweeps away refuge built on lies, while Ezekiel 13:11–13 warns false prophets that hail will expose flimsy walls of deception. Revelation 8:7 and Revelation 16:21 echo these themes, using hail in cosmic judgments that precede the new heaven and new earth. Isaiah 32:19 therefore participates in a larger prophetic chorus that anticipates both temporal and ultimate reckonings. Historical and Environmental Background Palestine’s climate seldom produces severe hailstorms, so when they occur the damage is memorable. The rarity heightens the sign value: an extraordinary weather event signals an extraordinary word from God. Ancient Near Eastern deities were often linked with storm phenomena, yet Israel’s Scriptures consistently attribute hail to the personal action of the LORD alone, underscoring monotheism against prevailing polytheism. Practical Ministry Implications • Preaching: Hail imagery warns against spiritual complacency. Congregations must see that unrepentant structures—personal or societal—will not withstand divine scrutiny. Christ-Centered Reflections The same Lord who commands hail also bore our judgment at Calvary. The destructive storm in Isaiah 32:19 sits between promises of a righteous king (verse 1) and the Spirit’s outpouring (verse 15). Jesus Christ fulfills the kingship, endures the storm of wrath, and sends the Spirit, transforming judgment scenes into testimonies of grace for all who believe. Related Passages for Study Exodus 9:23; Joshua 10:11; Job 38:22; Psalm 148:8; Isaiah 28:17; Ezekiel 38:22; Revelation 11:19; Revelation 16:21 Forms and Transliterations וּבָרַ֖ד וברד ū·ḇā·raḏ ūḇāraḏ uvaRadLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 32:19 HEB: וּבָרַ֖ד בְּרֶ֣דֶת הַיָּ֑עַר NAS: And it will hail when the forest KJV: When it shall hail, coming down INT: will hail comes the forest 1 Occurrence |
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