Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly.
ISAIAH 29:5KJVWhat does Isaiah 29:5 mean?
Isaiah 29:5 says that the large groups of foreign enemies and frightening oppressors threatening Jerusalem will be reduced to nothing, disappearing quickly and unexpectedly like fine dust or blown-away chaff. The verse promises that these threats will vanish suddenly, without warning.
The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Jerusalem, warning them about coming judgment but also assuring them that their enemies—described as "strangers" and "terrible ones"—will not last. The verse uses vivid images from everyday life (dust and chaff) to show how powerless these enemies will become when God acts.
The Hebrew behind Isaiah 29:5
- "Strangers" (זָרִים, zarim): This word refers to foreigners or outsiders, emphasizing that the threat comes from those not belonging to Jerusalem.
- "Small" (דַּק, daq) and "dust" (אָבָק, avaq): These words together paint a picture of something insignificant and easily scattered, highlighting how powerless the enemies will be.
- "Chaff" (מֹץ, mots): Chaff is the worthless husk separated from grain, easily blown away by the wind. This image stresses how quickly and completely the "terrible ones" will disappear.
- "Instant" (פֶּתַע, peta‘) and "suddenly" (פִּתְאֹם, pit’om): Both words underline the speed and surprise of the event, showing that the downfall of these enemies will be abrupt and unexpected.
Why Isaiah 29:5 matters
- Isaiah 29:5 clarifies that even overwhelming threats can be removed in a moment, emphasizing God's power over any enemy.
- The verse connects to the larger message in Isaiah 29, where God warns of judgment but also promises deliverance for Jerusalem.
- The use of dust and chaff helps the reader understand the total and effortless nature of the enemies' defeat, not just a slow fading but a sudden vanishing.