Isaiah 57:13
When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;
Original Language Analysis
בְּזַֽעֲקֵךְ֙
When thou criest
H2199
בְּזַֽעֲקֵךְ֙
When thou criest
Strong's:
H2199
Word #:
1 of 16
to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly
יַצִּילֻ֣ךְ
deliver
H5337
יַצִּילֻ֣ךְ
deliver
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
2 of 16
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כֻּלָּ֥ם
H3605
כֻּלָּ֥ם
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשָּׂא
shall carry them all away
H5375
יִשָּׂא
shall carry them all away
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
6 of 16
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
ר֖וּחַ
thee but the wind
H7307
ר֖וּחַ
thee but the wind
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
7 of 16
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
הָ֑בֶל
vanity
H1892
הָ֑בֶל
vanity
Strong's:
H1892
Word #:
9 of 16
emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
וְהַחוֹסֶ֥ה
them but he that putteth his trust
H2620
וְהַחוֹסֶ֥ה
them but he that putteth his trust
Strong's:
H2620
Word #:
10 of 16
to flee for protection; figuratively, to confide in
יִנְחַל
in me shall possess
H5157
יִנְחַל
in me shall possess
Strong's:
H5157
Word #:
12 of 16
to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate
וְיִירַ֖שׁ
and shall inherit
H3423
וְיִירַ֖שׁ
and shall inherit
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
14 of 16
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
Cross References
Psalms 37:9For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.Psalms 37:3Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.Isaiah 65:25The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.Isaiah 56:7Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.Isaiah 11:9They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.Isaiah 65:9And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.Isaiah 66:20And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.Psalms 125:1They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.Zechariah 7:13Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:Joel 3:17So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
Historical Context
This prophecy was fulfilled historically when Judah's allies and idols proved useless during Babylon's invasion. Those who trusted in Egypt, Assyria, or pagan gods found no help (Jeremiah 37:7-10). However, a remnant who trusted Yahweh alone, like Daniel, Ezekiel, and others, eventually returned from exile to possess the land again (Ezra, Nehemiah). Ultimately, this points to the new covenant people who inherit God's kingdom through faith in Christ (Matthew 5:5, Romans 4:13, Galatians 3:29).
Questions for Reflection
- What false refuges do we run to in times of crisis instead of trusting God alone?
- How does genuine trust in God differ from mere religious profession?
- What inheritance has Christ secured for those who put their trust in Him?
Analysis & Commentary
The verse divides sharply between judgment and promise. First, the threat: "When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee." The Hebrew qibbuts (collection/companies) likely refers to their assembled idols or allied nations—let these supposed helpers save them in their distress. This echoes Jeremiah's taunt, "Where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee" (Jeremiah 2:28). "The wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them" uses parallel terms—ruach (wind/spirit) and hebel (vanity/breath)—emphasizing the utter insubstantiality of false securities. Then comes the glorious contrast: "But he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain." This promise of inheritance connects to the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 15:7) and ultimate rest in Zion. Reformed theology sees this as distinguishing true faith from false profession—the elect remnant who trust Yahweh alone will receive the inheritance. "Putting trust" (chasah) means seeking refuge, the language of faith used in the Psalms (Psalm 2:12, 16:1, 57:1).