Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee (לֵךְ עַמִּי בֹּא בַחֲדָרֶיךָ וּסְגֹר דְּלָתְךָ בַּעֲדֶךָ / lekh ammi bo vachadarekha usegor delatekha ba'adekha)—The tender address עַמִּי (ammi, "my people") recalls Hosea 2:23's covenant restoration. חֶדֶר (cheder, "inner chamber, room") suggests intimate refuge, private sanctuary. This echoes the Passover (Exodus 12:22-23) where Israelites sheltered indoors while judgment passed over. It also anticipates Jesus's instruction for private prayer (Matthew 6:6).
Hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast (חֲבִי כִמְעַט־רֶגַע עַד־יַעֲבֹר זָעַם / chavi khim'at-rega ad-ya'avor za'am)—The verb חָבָא (chava, "to hide, conceal") indicates protective concealment, not fearful cowering. כִמְעַט־רֶגַע (khim'at-rega, "a little moment") relativizes suffering's duration compared to eternity. זַעַם (za'am, "indignation, wrath") describes God's judicial anger against sin. Believers are hidden FROM judgment, not IN judgment—Christ bore God's wrath so we find refuge in Him.
Historical Context
This verse bridges Isaiah 26's resurrection hope (v. 19) with chapter 27's ultimate judgment and restoration. It provided comfort during Babylonian exile: though judgment falls on the earth, God's people find refuge in Him. The 'little moment' perspective helps endure suffering (2 Corinthians 4:17). The New Testament develops this theme: believers are hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3), sealed until redemption (Ephesians 4:30), kept from the hour of trial (Revelation 3:10). Whether this means pre-tribulation rapture or divine preservation through tribulation remains debated, but the core promise stands—God protects His people.
Questions for Reflection
What does it mean to 'enter into thy chambers' and find refuge in God during times of judgment and upheaval?
How does viewing suffering as 'a little moment' compared to eternity provide perspective during long trials?
In what ways does Christ serve as our 'inner chamber' where we hide from God's wrath against sin?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee (לֵךְ עַמִּי בֹּא בַחֲדָרֶיךָ וּסְגֹר דְּלָתְךָ בַּעֲדֶךָ / lekh ammi bo vachadarekha usegor delatekha ba'adekha)—The tender address עַמִּי (ammi, "my people") recalls Hosea 2:23's covenant restoration. חֶדֶר (cheder, "inner chamber, room") suggests intimate refuge, private sanctuary. This echoes the Passover (Exodus 12:22-23) where Israelites sheltered indoors while judgment passed over. It also anticipates Jesus's instruction for private prayer (Matthew 6:6).
Hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast (חֲבִי כִמְעַט־רֶגַע עַד־יַעֲבֹר זָעַם / chavi khim'at-rega ad-ya'avor za'am)—The verb חָבָא (chava, "to hide, conceal") indicates protective concealment, not fearful cowering. כִמְעַט־רֶגַע (khim'at-rega, "a little moment") relativizes suffering's duration compared to eternity. זַעַם (za'am, "indignation, wrath") describes God's judicial anger against sin. Believers are hidden FROM judgment, not IN judgment—Christ bore God's wrath so we find refuge in Him.