And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.

ISAIAH 10:20KJV
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Isaiah 10:20 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 10:20 mean?

Isaiah 10:20 says that a surviving group from Israel, those who have escaped disaster, will no longer depend on the power that once harmed them, but will instead trust in the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, sincerely and truly. The verse promises a shift in loyalty and trust from human oppressors to God Himself.

Isaiah is speaking to the people of Israel during a time when they have suffered under foreign powers, especially the Assyrians. The verse looks ahead to a day when, after judgment and hardship, a faithful remnant will turn away from relying on those who once struck them and will instead rely on God with genuine faith. This marks a turning point in their relationship with God and their sense of security.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 10:20

  • "remnant" (שְׁאָר, she'ar): This word means a surviving portion or those left after a disaster. Here, it highlights that not all of Israel will be lost—there will be survivors who remain faithful.
  • "stay" (שָׁעַן, sha'an): This verb means to lean on or depend upon. The verse uses it twice: first to say the remnant will no longer depend on their oppressor, and second to say they will depend on the LORD. The repetition emphasizes a complete change in whom they trust.
  • "truth" (אֱמֶת, emet): This word means faithfulness, firmness, or reliability. The remnant’s new trust in God will be genuine and steadfast, not just outward or temporary.

Why Isaiah 10:20 matters

  • Isaiah 10:20 clarifies that God’s judgment is not the end for Israel; there will be survivors who turn back to Him with real faith.
  • The verse shifts the focus from political or military alliances to a spiritual dependence on God, showing that true security comes from Him alone.
  • This verse connects to the wider theme in Isaiah of a "remnant"—a small group preserved by God through judgment, who become the foundation for future hope and restoration.

Where else these words appear

“stay” Hebrew H8172 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 18:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
  • 2 Kings 7:17 And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him.
  • Job 24:23 Though it be given him to be in safety, whereon he resteth; yet his eyes are upon their ways.

“remnant” Hebrew H7605 · used in 25 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 11:8 And he built the city round about, even from Millo round about: and Joab repaired the rest of the city.
  • Nehemiah 11:1 And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.
  • Isaiah 11:16 And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.

“escaped” Hebrew H6413 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 32:8 And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.
  • 2 Chronicles 20:24 And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.
  • Isaiah 37:31 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:

“One” Hebrew H6918 · used in 106 verses

  • Exodus 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
  • 2 Kings 19:22 Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.
  • Isaiah 29:19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.