Translations
Modern
His breath is like a rushing torrent that rises to the neck. He comes to sift the nations in a sieve of destruction; He bridles the jaws of the peoples to lead them astray.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And His breath is like an overflowing torrent; it reaches up to the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of futility, and a bridle leading them astray is upon the jaws of the peoples.
Latin
Spiritus ejus velut torrens inundans usque ad medium colli, ad perdendas gentes in nihilum, et frenum erroris quod erat in maxillis populorum.
Original
Hebrew
English
His breath is like a rushing torrent that rises to the neck. He comes to sift the nations in a sieve of destruction; He bridles the jaws of the peoples to lead them astray.
Notes
like a rushing torrent that rises to the neck: Assyria’s destruction would be as devastating as their invasion of Judah (see Isaiah 8:8).
In this prophecy of judgment against the nations, Isaiah foretold that Assyria’s power would be broken by God’s strong arm, not by the Egyptians.
This prophecy of salvation gave promises of hope. It helped Israel look away from their present suffering.
Instead, it pointed them toward the glorious future that God had prepared for his people.
After warning Judah of judgment due to their stubbornness and reliance on Egypt (Isaiah 30:1–17), God promised to show compassion to his people and defeat their enemies.
Theme notes and profiles
Events
- Prophecies of Isaiahc. 759 BC