Isaiah 29:5

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וְהָיָ֛ה H1961
וְהָיָ֛ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְּאָבָ֥ק dust H80
כְּאָבָ֥ק dust
Strong's: H80
Word #: 2 of 12
light particles (as volatile)
דַּ֖ק shall be like small H1851
דַּ֖ק shall be like small
Strong's: H1851
Word #: 3 of 12
crushed, i.e., (by implication) small or thin
הֲמ֣וֹן Moreover the multitude H1995
הֲמ֣וֹן Moreover the multitude
Strong's: H1995
Word #: 4 of 12
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth
זָרָ֑יִךְ of thy strangers H2114
זָרָ֑יִךְ of thy strangers
Strong's: H2114
Word #: 5 of 12
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
וּכְמֹ֤ץ shall be as chaff H4671
וּכְמֹ֤ץ shall be as chaff
Strong's: H4671
Word #: 6 of 12
chaff (as pressed out, i.e., winnowed or (rather) threshed loose)
עֹבֵר֙ that passeth away H5674
עֹבֵר֙ that passeth away
Strong's: H5674
Word #: 7 of 12
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
הֲמ֣וֹן Moreover the multitude H1995
הֲמ֣וֹן Moreover the multitude
Strong's: H1995
Word #: 8 of 12
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth
עָֽרִיצִ֔ים of the terrible ones H6184
עָֽרִיצִ֔ים of the terrible ones
Strong's: H6184
Word #: 9 of 12
fearful, i.e., powerful or tyrannical
וְהָיָ֖ה H1961
וְהָיָ֖ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 10 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְפֶ֥תַע yea it shall be at an instant H6621
לְפֶ֥תַע yea it shall be at an instant
Strong's: H6621
Word #: 11 of 12
a wink, i.e., moment (used only [with or without preposition] adverbially, quickly or unexpectedly)
פִּתְאֹֽם׃ suddenly H6597
פִּתְאֹֽם׃ suddenly
Strong's: H6597
Word #: 12 of 12
instantly

Analysis & Commentary

Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust (וְהָיָה כְּאָבָק דַּק הֲמוֹן זָרָיִךְ, vehayah ke'avaq daq hamon zarayikh)—the זָרִים (zarim, strangers/enemies) who attack Jerusalem will themselves be reduced to fine dust. And the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passeth away (וּכְמֹץ עֹבֵר הֲמוֹן עָרִיצִים, ukemotz over hamon aritsim)—the עָרִיצִים (aritsim, tyrants/ruthless ones) will become like מֹץ (motz, chaff) blown away. Yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly (וְהָיָה לְפֶתַע פִּתְאֹם, vehayah lefeta pit'om).

The oracle pivots dramatically from verses 1-4's siege to sudden deliverance. After describing Jerusalem's humiliation, Isaiah announces the besiegers' own destruction—not through prolonged warfare but instantaneously. This prophesies Sennacherib's 701 BC defeat when the angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night (Isaiah 37:36). The terrible ones become chaff; the dust-like enemies vanish.

Historical Context

The fulfillment came in 701 BC when Assyrian king Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem under Hezekiah. Despite overwhelming military superiority, the Assyrian army was decimated overnight (2 Kings 19:35-36). Sennacherib's own records (Taylor Prism) acknowledge withdrawing from Jerusalem after receiving tribute, but notably avoid mentioning conquering the city—a conspicuous omission suggesting catastrophic loss.

Questions for Reflection

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