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Isaiah 29:20

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 29:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scoffer ceaseth, and all they that watch for iniquity are cut off;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scoffer ceaseth, and all they that watch for iniquity are cut off;
Isaiah 29:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 29

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?
18And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.
19The meek also shall increase their joy in Jehovah, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
20For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scoffer ceaseth, and all they that watch for iniquity are cut off;
21that make a man an offender in [his] cause, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just with a thing of nought.
22Therefore thus saith Jehovah, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale.
23But when he seeth his children, the work of my hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name; yea, they shall sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall stand in awe of the God of Israel.
← Isaiah 29:19Isaiah 29:21 →
← Full Chapter 29 Isaiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For the terrible one is brought to nought, &c.] Who before was so to the people of God; meaning not Sennacherib king of Assyria, but some formidable enemy or enemies under the Gospel dispensation; as the Scribes and Pharisees, and the Jewish sanhedrim; who were “violent”f586, as it may be rendered, violent persecutors of the followers of Christ, the meek and poor before described; who were brought to nought, and their power ceased at the destruction of Jerusalem; and the Roman emperor, with all subordinate rulers and governors in the empire, who harassed the Christians in a terrible manner, but were at last brought to nought by Constantine, and their persecution ceased; and the Romish…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“terrible--namely, the persecutors among the Jewish nobles. scorner-- (Isa 28:14, Isa 28:22). watch for--not only commit iniquity, but watch for opportunities of committing it, and make it their whole study (see Mic 2:1; Mat 26:59; Mat 27:1).”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“That watch - That early and diligently apply themselves to the practice of wickedness. Isaiah 29:21”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the terrible: Isa 29:5, Isa 13:3, Isa 25:4, Isa 25:5, Isa 49:25, Isa 51:13; Dan 7:7, Dan 7:19-25; Hab 1:6, Hab 1:7 the scorner: Isa 28:14-22; Luk 16:14, Luk 23:11, Luk 23:35 and all: Mic 2:1; Mar 2:6, Mar 2:7, Mar 3:2-6; Luk 6:7, Luk 13:14-17, Luk 20:20-23; Rev 12:10 Isaiah 29:21”
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Related study paths

Read Isaiah 29 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification