Isaiah 2 22

Isaiah 2:22 kjv

Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of ?

Isaiah 2:22 nkjv

Sever yourselves from such a man, Whose breath is in his nostrils; For of what account is he?

Isaiah 2:22 niv

Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?

Isaiah 2:22 esv

Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?

Isaiah 2:22 nlt

Don't put your trust in mere humans.
They are as frail as breath.
What good are they?

Isaiah 2 verses

Isaiah 2 22 meaning

Isaiah 2:22 is a profound divine command to the people, urging them to cease from placing their ultimate trust, confidence, or reliance in mere human beings. The rationale provided for this exhortation is the inherent fragility and dependence of humanity: human life is sustained only by the breath of God, which is fleeting and can be withdrawn at any moment. The verse therefore posits that there is no lasting value or reliability to be found in humankind as an object of ultimate faith or security, especially when contrasted with the eternal and sovereign God.

Isaiah 2 22 Context

Isaiah chapter 2 opens with a glorious messianic vision of God's universal reign, depicting Zion as the center of worldwide worship and peace in the last days (Isa 2:2-4). However, this future hope stands in stark contrast to the present reality of Judah. Verses 6-9 condemn the nation's spiritual corruption, highlighting their idolatry, reliance on foreign wealth, and trust in military power and human wisdom rather than the Lord. The ensuing verses (Isa 2:10-17) introduce the terrifying "Day of the Lord," a time of divine judgment when all human pride, arrogance, and self-sufficiency, symbolized by towering structures, mighty trees, and formidable ships, will be utterly humbled and brought low. Idols will be discarded. Verse 22 serves as the concluding exhortation drawn from this scathing critique and impending judgment, delivering a concise, pointed warning against the ultimate folly of misplaced human trust, urging the people to shift their focus from the ephemeral and unreliable to the eternal and all-powerful God before the inevitable humbling comes. Historically, Judah frequently made alliances with powerful nations like Egypt or Assyria, trusting in their strength rather than the covenant God. This verse directly challenges such geopolitical reliance and general human self-sufficiency.

Isaiah 2 22 Word analysis

• Cease ye (חִדְלוּ - Chadalu): This is an imperative plural verb from the root chadal, meaning "to cease, desist, refrain from, leave off." It's a strong, direct command, not a suggestion. It implies an ongoing action that needs to be stopped. The urgency reflects the gravity of misplaced trust.
• from man (מִן הָאָדָם - min ha'adam): The word adam (אָדָם) refers to humankind in general, encompassing all of humanity, not just specific individuals. The definite article "the" emphasizes man in his collective and generic sense. The prepositin "from" indicates withdrawal, separation, or desisting from dependence on this object.
• whose breath (נִשְׁמָתוֹ - nishmato): From neshamah (נְשָׁמָה), meaning "breath," "spirit," "soul." This term directly links back to Gen 2:7, where God breathed nishmat chayyim (breath of life) into Adam. It signifies life as something imparted by God and intrinsically dependent on Him. It is not an inherent human quality but a divine loan.
• is in his nostrils (בְּאַפּוֹ - b'appo): The word aph (אַף) literally means "nose" or "nostril," but can also signify anger or face. Here, it is literal, highlighting the vulnerability and ephemerality of human life. Breath in the nostrils is the most basic sign of physical life; if it departs, life ceases. It grounds the abstract idea of life in a tangible, fragile physiological process.
• for wherein (כִּי בַמֶּה - ki vameh): Ki is "for" or "because," introducing the reason for the command. Vameh is "in what?" or "wherein?", a rhetorical question implying "there is no way" or "of no account."
• is he to be accounted of (נֶחְשָׁב הוּא - neḥshav hu'): From chashav (חָשַׁב), meaning "to think, reckon, esteem, consider, value." Neḥshav is the passive form, meaning "he is accounted/esteemed." The rhetorical question suggests that in reality, human beings, in their capacity as objects of ultimate trust, possess no true intrinsic worth or power that warrants such reliance.

• "Cease ye from man": This phrase functions as a profound call for a paradigm shift, away from any form of ultimate human-centeredness in terms of faith, hope, or reliance. It implies detaching oneself from seeking ultimate solutions, security, or guidance from human strength, wisdom, or institutions.
• "whose breath is in his nostrils": This concise descriptive clause serves as the definitive justification for the command. It exposes the utter vulnerability and created nature of humanity. Man's very existence is a temporary gift, dependent on the ongoing provision of God's breath. This contrasts sharply with any claim of self-sufficiency or lasting power.
• "for wherein is he to be accounted of?": This rhetorical question delivers the stinging punchline. If man's life itself is fleeting and externally maintained, on what basis can he be considered a worthy or stable object of absolute trust? The implied answer is "no basis at all." It underscores the folly of elevating any human element to a divine or near-divine status of reliance.

Isaiah 2 22 Bonus section

The strong imagery of "breath in the nostrils" carries significant theological weight. It serves as a reminder of the Adamic creation account (Gen 2:7), underscoring that human life began and continues as a dependent entity on divine life-giving power. Thus, trust in humanity implicitly undermines the Creator-creature distinction. This verse's message anticipates a central theme in later prophets and the New Testament, namely, the call to walk by faith in God, not by sight or by reliance on human flesh (e.g., Gal 2:20, Rom 1:17, Heb 10:38). It lays a foundational truth that human fragility necessitates a divine and unshakeable anchor for life and hope, preparing the reader for the eventual revelation of Jesus Christ as the only secure foundation. The polemical nature is clear: against all forms of idolatry that divert worship and trust from the Lord to human objects, whether individuals, institutions, or abstract concepts of human ability.

Isaiah 2 22 Commentary

Isaiah 2:22 distills the core theological truth presented in the preceding verses and throughout Scripture: humanity is utterly dependent and transient, making any ultimate reliance on it fundamentally misplaced. The command to "cease from man" is not a call to isolation, but to relinquish misplaced confidence in human wisdom, power, wealth, or authority as ultimate sources of security or salvation. The reason provided, "whose breath is in his nostrils," vividly highlights humanity's fragility; our very life-force is a temporary, God-given loan. Therefore, any esteem or reliance placed on man as an ultimate foundation proves to be folly, as expressed in the rhetorical question, "for wherein is he to be accounted of?" This verse serves as a radical redirect: only God, the eternal and uncreated source of life and power, is worthy of absolute trust and worship. For the believer, it’s a constant reminder to put faith fully in God's immutable character and promises, recognizing that all human strength, wisdom, or plans are inherently limited and ultimately perishable compared to His divine nature. Practical examples today might include placing ultimate faith in a political leader, scientific discovery, financial portfolio, or self-help philosophy instead of seeking God's guidance and provision.