Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence.

ISAIAH 30:22KJV
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Isaiah 30:22 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 30:22 mean?

Isaiah 30:22 describes the people of Judah rejecting their silver- and gold-covered images of other gods. They will treat the objects they once valued as unclean things to be discarded, telling them to go away.

The comparison to a “menstruous cloth” draws on a familiar image of ritual uncleanness: under Israel’s law, menstrual blood made a person or object temporarily unclean for worship. Speaking directly to an image with “Get thee hence” gives the rejection a sharp, personal force. The verse follows God’s promise to guide the people in verse 21.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 30:22

  • “defile” — טָמֵא (ṭāmeʾ): This word can mean to make unclean. Here it describes the people treating the images as objects that have lost their honored status.
  • “covering” — צִפּוּי (ṣippuy): This word refers to a covering or overlay. The silver was on the outside of the carved images, rather than necessarily making up the whole object.
  • “ornament” — אֲפֻדָּה (ʾaphuddah): This word can refer to a covering or plating. In this verse, it points to the gold on the cast-metal images.

Why Isaiah 30:22 matters

  • The value of the materials will not protect the images. The verse names both silver and gold, yet the people will discard the objects covered with them.
  • The rejection is part of the people’s response to God’s guidance. Verse 21 pictures a voice directing them along the way, and verse 22 turns to what they will do with their images.
  • The next verses connect this change with a picture of renewed life in the land. Isaiah 30:23–25 describes rain, crops, and streams following the removal of the images.

Where else these words appear

“ornament” Hebrew H642 · used in 3 verses

  • Exodus 28:8 And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
  • Exodus 39:5 And the curious girdle of his ephod, that was upon it, was of the same, according to the work thereof; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen; as the LORD commanded Moses.

“covering” Hebrew H6826 · used in 5 verses

  • Exodus 38:17 And the sockets for the pillars were of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver; and the overlaying of their chapiters of silver; and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver.
  • Exodus 38:19 And their pillars were four, and their sockets of brass four; their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their chapiters and their fillets of silver.
  • Numbers 16:38 The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.

“cloth” Hebrew H1739 · used in 5 verses

  • Leviticus 15:33 And of her that is sick of her flowers, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and of the woman, and of him that lieth with her that is unclean.
  • Leviticus 20:18 And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people.
  • Lamentations 1:13 From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for my feet, he hath turned me back: he hath made me desolate and faint all the day.

“images” Hebrew H6456 · used in 23 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:5 But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:22 But he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them;
  • Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.