Isaiah 10:22
For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
2 of 14
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִהְיֶ֞ה
H1961
יִהְיֶ֞ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עַמְּךָ֤
For though thy people
H5971
עַמְּךָ֤
For though thy people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 14
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הַיָּ֔ם
of the sea
H3220
הַיָּ֔ם
of the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
7 of 14
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
יָשׁ֣וּב
of them shall return
H7725
יָשׁ֣וּב
of them shall return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
9 of 14
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
חָר֖וּץ
decreed
H2782
חָר֖וּץ
decreed
Strong's:
H2782
Word #:
12 of 14
properly, to point sharply, i.e., (literally) to wound; figuratively, to be alert, to decide
Cross References
Isaiah 6:13But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.Revelation 20:8And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.Daniel 9:27And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Historical Context
From millions in Israel and Judah, only tens of thousands survived Assyrian/Babylonian conquests. The promised multiplication 'like sand of the sea' (Genesis 22:17) seemed reversed, yet God preserved a remnant as promised. Paul quotes this verse (Romans 9:27-28) regarding Jewish rejection of Christ—though most reject Him, God preserves a believing remnant. This demonstrates that physical descent doesn't guarantee salvation; only the elect remnant are saved.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the remnant doctrine balance God's judgment with His mercy?
- What does this teach about the difference between outward covenant membership and true saving faith?
- How do we ensure we're part of the faithful remnant rather than merely part of the visible church?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Despite Israel's great numbers ('as the sand of the sea'), only a remnant survives judgment. The phrase 'a remnant of them shall return' balances judgment with mercy. 'The consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness' indicates that though judgment is severe ('consumption'), it's also just ('righteousness'). God's judgment isn't arbitrary but righteous response to sin. The 'decreed' nature emphasizes divine sovereignty—God has determined both judgment and preservation of a remnant.