Isaiah 30:28 kjv
And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.
Isaiah 30:28 nkjv
His breath is like an overflowing stream, Which reaches up to the neck, To sift the nations with the sieve of futility; And there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, Causing them to err.
Isaiah 30:28 niv
His breath is like a rushing torrent, rising up to the neck. He shakes the nations in the sieve of destruction; he places in the jaws of the peoples a bit that leads them astray.
Isaiah 30:28 esv
his breath is like an overflowing stream that reaches up to the neck; to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction, and to place on the jaws of the peoples a bridle that leads astray.
Isaiah 30:28 nlt
His hot breath pours out like a flood
up to the neck of his enemies.
He will sift out the proud nations for destruction.
He will bridle them and lead them away to ruin.
Isaiah 30 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 30:27 | Behold, the name of the LORD comes from afar, | Isa 13:5 |
| Isa 30:27 | burning with his anger, and the smoke of smoke is heavy; | Jer 4:8 |
| Isa 30:27 | his lips are filled with indignation, | Prov 14:3 |
| Isa 30:27 | and his tongue is like a devouring fire; | Isa 59:18 |
| Isa 30:27 | his breath is like an overwhelming flood, | Exod 14:28 |
| Isa 30:27 | it will divide rivers in its course. | Josh 3:16 |
| Isa 30:27 | and will utterly sweep his enemies away in a flood, | Psa 18:16 |
| Isa 30:27 | going through to the throat. | Job 41:2 |
| Isa 30:28 | and his Spirit like a destructive flood. | Isa 28:2 |
| Isa 30:28 | he will put a bridle in the mouths of the peoples, | 2 Sam 22:11 |
| Isa 30:28 | to make them stray. | Psa 32:9 |
| Isa 30:28 | you shall have a song, | Psa 122:1 |
| Isa 30:28 | as in the night when you keep festival, | Psa 42:8 |
| Isa 30:28 | and gladness of heart, | Psa 133:1 |
| Isa 30:28 | as when one goes with a pipe, | Psa 150:3 |
| Isa 30:28 | to the mountain of the LORD, | Psa 48:1 |
| Isa 30:28 | to the Rock of Israel. | Psa 18:2 |
| Isa 30:29 | you shall have a song as in the night | Psa 42:8 |
| Isa 30:29 | when a holy feast is kept; | Exod 12:14 |
| Isa 30:29 | and the joy of your heart, | Psa 133:1 |
| Isa 30:29 | as when one goes with a flute | Psa 150:3 |
| Isa 30:29 | to the mountain of the LORD, | Psa 48:1 |
| Isa 30:29 | to the Rock of Israel. | Psa 18:2 |
| Jer 51:55 | the LORD will devise a plan | Jer 49:20 |
| Jer 51:56 | For destruction comes upon her, | Isa 21:2 |
| Nahum 1:3 | The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, | Nahum 1:7 |
| Nahum 1:3 | and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty. | Exod 34:7 |
| Rev 19:15 | From his mouth comes a sharp sword | Rev 1:16 |
| Rev 19:15 | with which to strike down the nations, | Psa 2:9 |
| Rev 19:15 | and he will rule them with a rod of iron. | Rev 2:27 |
| Rev 19:15 | He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. | Rev 14:19 |
Isaiah 30 verses
Isaiah 30 28 Meaning
The breath of God brings forth a mighty storm that shakes and devastates. It is a powerful and overwhelming force, signifying divine judgment or intervention.
Isaiah 30 28 Context
Isaiah 30 occurs during a period when Judah was facing threats from powerful empires, particularly Assyria and Egypt. The people of Judah were inclined to seek alliances with Egypt for military protection, which God strongly opposed. Isaiah delivered this prophecy to warn them against their reliance on Egypt and to encourage trust in God's sovereign power and deliverance. This specific verse (28) describes the overwhelming force of God's judgment against His enemies, which simultaneously results in security and joy for His people. It follows a pronouncement of destruction against Assyria (implied context from earlier in the chapter) and contrasts God's fierce anger with His people's future celebration.
Isaiah 30 28 Word Analysis
וּבְרוּחוֹ (u·və·rū·ḥōw)
- וּ (u): Conjunction "and."
- בְ (mə): Preposition "in," "with," "by."
- רוּחַ (rū·aḥ): "spirit," "wind," "breath." In this context, it refers to the "spirit" or "breath" of God, often symbolizing His powerful active force, His anger, or His judgment. It carries the nuance of an overwhelming and potentially destructive force, like a mighty wind or flood.
- וֹ (-ōw): Suffix meaning "His."
- Combined: "and by His Spirit," or "and His breath/wind."
כְּנַחַל שׁוֹטֵף (ḵə·na·ḥal·šō·ṭē·fə)
- כְּ (ḵə): Prefix "like," "as."
- נַחַל (na·ḥal): "torrent," "stream," "brook." Denotes a powerful, often fast-flowing body of water.
- שׁוֹטֵף (šō·ṭē·fə): "overwhelming," "flooding," "sweeping away." A participle from the verb שׁטף (shaṭaph), meaning to overflow, flood, or carry away. It emphasizes the unstoppable and destructive nature of the flood.
- Combined: "like an overwhelming flood" or "like a sweeping torrent."
לְמַרְסֵס (lə·mar·sēs)
- לְ (lə): Preposition "to," "for."
- מַרְסֵס (mar·sēs): This word is less common and can be challenging to translate precisely. It often relates to crushing, grinding, or smashing. It implies a thorough destruction, reducing to dust or powder. Some scholars suggest a connection to breaking or shattering.
- Combined: "to crush," "to shatter," or "to sweep away completely." This conveys the utter annihilation of those against whom God's breath/spirit is directed.
בְּקִצְפֵּי־עַמִּים (bə·qiṣ·pê-ʿam·mîm)
- בְּ (bə): Preposition "in," "at," "among."
- קִצְפֵּי (qiṣ·pê): Plural construct form of קָצֶה (qa·ṣeh), meaning "end," "extremity," "border." Here it signifies the furthest parts or "reaches" of nations.
- עַמִּים (ʿam·mîm): Plural of עָם (ʿam), meaning "people," "nation."
- Combined: "in the furthest parts of the nations" or "among the extremities of the peoples." This indicates the vast reach and totality of God's judgment.
Isaiah 30 28 Bonus Section
The imagery of God’s breath or spirit as a powerful, flood-like force is consistent throughout Scripture, often associated with divine judgment and creative power. The destruction is presented as a means to an end, clearing the way for divine blessing and restoration for those who trust in Him. The juxtaposition of overwhelming destruction and future joyous celebration highlights God's sovereignty in both judgment and salvation. The concept of God’s "breath" is linked to life (Gen 2:7) and the Spirit as a source of power and life for believers (Ezek 37). However, when directed in judgment, that same breath is a consuming force.
Isaiah 30 28 Commentary
This verse graphically depicts God's powerful action against His enemies. The "breath" or "spirit" of God is personified as an overwhelming flood. This flood isn't merely water; it is a destructive force carrying with it the essence of God's judgment and power. The "crushing" effect on the "extremities of the nations" underscores the completeness of this divine overthrow. It's not a localized event but one that reaches to the very edges of the peoples, signifying a thorough and devastating defeat for those who oppose God's will or His people. This destructive aspect is not gratuitous but is framed within a larger context of God’s redemptive plan for His faithful remnant, who will experience safety and song.