Isaiah 26:20
WEB
Come, my people, enter into your rooms, and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourself for a little moment, until the indignation is past.
BSB
Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourselves a little while until the wrath has passed.
KJV
¶ Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
Matthew Henry
Hebrew interlinear
H3212
v — walk, carry
Derivation: a primitive root (compare 1980);
to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
KJV: × again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, × be weak.
vb — go
הָלַךְ 1546 vb. go, come, walk
Qal Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך
I. lit.
1. of persons
2. Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations
3. in like manner of inanimate things
4. The inf. abs. is often used
a. as in other vbs., quite independently
b. to intensify meaning of finite form
c. most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs.
(1). with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance
(2). with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)
(3). in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. adj. denoting progress, advance
(4). twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion
(5). quite by itself
(6). 13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.
d. akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.
5. In combination with other verbal forms
II. Fig.; the most common uses follow; in most the origin in a literal meaning is evident:
1. pass away, die
2. live (‘walk’), in general
3. of moral and religious life
4. other fig. uses
Pi. (chiefly poet. and late)
1. walk in or with a throng
2. also of walking about = living
3. depart, go entirely away
4. fig. of mode of life, action, etc.
Hithp. walk, walk about, move to and fro
Hiph.
1. lead, bring
2. lead away
3. carry, bring
4. fig. of influence on character
5.
a. cause to walk, go
b. cause to flow, run
c. cause to depart, retire, go back
H5971
n-m — people, tribe, troops, attendants, flock
Derivation: from 6004;
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
KJV: folk, men, nation, people.
n.[m.] — kinsman
[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)
n.m — people
עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people
1. a people, nation
2. = smaller units
3. = common people
4. people in gen., persons
5. phrases
H935
v — go, come
Derivation: a primitive root;
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
KJV: abide, apply, attain, × be, befall, besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, × certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, × doubtless again, eat, employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, have, × indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, × (well) stricken (in age), × surely, take (in), way.
vb — come in
בּוֹא 2569 vb. come in, come, go in, go
Qal
1. come in
2. come (approach, arrive)
3. go, i.e. walk, associate with
4. go from speaker, but with limit of motion given
Hiph.
1. cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)
2. cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)
Hoph.
a. be brought in (of pers. and things)
b. be brought
c. be introduced, put
H2315
n-m — apartment
Derivation: from 2314;
an apartment (usually literal)
KJV: ((bed) inner) chamber, innermost(-ward) part, parlour, south, × within.
n.m — chamber
חֶ֫דֶר n.m. chamber, room
H5462
v — shut, surrender
Derivation: a primitive root;
to shut up; figuratively, to surrender
KJV: close up, deliver (up), give over (up), inclose, × pure, repair, shut (in, self, out, up, up together), stop, × straitly.
vb — shut
סָגַר vb. shut, close
Qal
1. shut door
2.
a. close in upon
b. close up breach
3. Pt. pass., closed up = closely joined with tight seal
4. elsewhwere only Pt. pass. (gold shut up, and so prized, rare, fine?)
Niph.
1. subj. pers. be shut up
2. be shut, closed, of city gates
Pi. deliver up to (leave no other opening for one, shut one up to)
Pu.
1. of cities
2. of prisoners
3. of doors
Hiph.
1. deliver up to
2. shut up
H1817
n-m n-f — something swinging, the valve of a door
Derivation: from 1802;
something swinging, i.e. the valve of a door
KJV: door (two-leaved), gate, leaf, lid. (Psalm 141:3).
n.f — door
[דָּלָה] n.f. door, Is 26:20 fig., door of chamber in which people (personified) hides
n.f — door
דֶּ֫לֶת n.f. door
1. door of house
2. door of room
3. gates of city
4. in other senses
H1157
prep — in up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for
Derivation: from 5704 with prepositional prefix;
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc.
KJV: about, at by (means of), for, over, through, up (-on), within.
subst — separation
בַּ֫עַד subst. prop. separation, with a gen., in separation from, in usage a prep. away from, behind, about, on behalf of
H2247
v — secrete
Derivation: a primitive root (compare 2245);
to secrete
KJV: hide (self).
vb — withdraw
[חָבָה] vb. withdraw, hide
Qal withdraw into privacy
Niph. withdraw, hide oneself
H4592
n-m — little, few
Derivation: or מְעָט; from 4591;
a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
KJV: almost (some, very) few(-er, -est), lightly, little (while), (very) small (matter, thing), some, soon, × very.
subst — a little
מְעַט 101 subst. a little, fewness, a few
H7281
n-m — wink, short space
Derivation: from 7280.
a wink (of the eyes), i.e. a very short space of time
KJV: instant, moment, space, suddenly.
n.m — a moment
רֶ֫גַע n.m. a moment
H5704
prep — as far, long, much, as, even unto, during, while, until, equally with
Derivation: properly, the same as 5703 (used as a preposition, adverb or conjunction; especially with a preposition);
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ( as) yet.
prep — as far as
עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי prep. as far as, even to, up to, until, while
I. prep.
1. of space
2. Of time
3. Of degree
II. conj.
1. until
2. While
3. Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)
III. עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus
1. of space
2. Of time
3. Of degree
H5674
v — cross, transition, cover
Derivation: a primitive root;
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation)
KJV: alienate, alter, × at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, shave, cause to (make) sound, × speedily, × sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath.
vb — pass over
עָבַר 648 vb. pass over, through, by, pass on
Qal
1. pass over
2. Pass beyond
3. Pass through, traverse
4.
a. pass along by
b. pass by
c. sweep by, of scourge
d. be past, over, of time
e. pass along (from hand to hand)
5. Pass on, go on
6. Pass away
Niph. Impf. a stream which cannot be forded
Pi.
1. his bull impregnateth
a. cause one to cross river
b. cause something to pass over
c. make over to
d. devote children to (לְ) heathen god
e. pass along (from hand to hand)
2.
a. cause to pass through
b. let pass through
3.
a. cause to pass by
b. let pass by
c. cause arrow to pass beyond
d. cause to pass under rod, for counting
4. cause to pass away, take away
Hiph.
1. cause to pass over, bring over
2. he made to pass across with chains of gold
vb. denom — be arrogant
[עָבַר] vb. denom. Hithp. be arrogant, infuriate oneself
H2195
n-m — froth, fury
Derivation: from 2194;
strictly froth at the mouth, i.e. (figuratively) fury (especially of God's displeasure with sin)
KJV: angry, indignation, rage.
n.m — indignation
זַ֫עַם n.m. indignation
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Verses 20–21
Isaiah 26:20–21
These two verses are supposed not to belong to the song which takes up the rest of the chapter, but to begin a new matter, and to be rather an introduction to the following chapter than the conclusion of this. Of whereas, in the foregoing song, the people of God had spoken to him, complaining of their grievances, here he returns an answer to their complaints, in which,
I. He invites them into their chambers (Isa 26:20): "Come, my people, come to me, come with me" (he calls them nowhere but where he himself will accompany them); "let the storm that disperses others bring you nearer together. Come, and enter into thy chambers; stay not abroad, lest you be caught in the storm, as the Egyptians in the hail," Exo 9:21. 1. "Come into chambers of distinction; come into your own apartments, and continue not any longer mixed with the children of Babylon. Come out from among them, and be you separate," Co2 6:17; Rev 18:4. If God has set apart those that are godly for himself, they ought to set themselves apart. 2. "Into chambers of defence, in which by the secresy or the strength of them you may be safe in the worst of times." The attributes of God are the secret of his tabernacle, Psa 27:5. His name is a strong tower, into which we may run for shelter, Pro 18:10. We must be faith find a way into these chambers, and there hide ourselves; that is, with a holy security and serenity of mind, we must put ourselves under the divine protection. Come, as Noah into the ark, for he shut the doors about him. When dangers are threatening it is good to retire, and lie hid, as Elijah did by the brook Cherith. 3. Into chambers of devotion. "Enter into thy closet, and shut thy door, Mat 6:6. Be private with God: Enter into thy chamber, to examine thyself, and commune with thy own heart, to pray, and humble thyself before God." This work is to be done in times of distress and danger; and thus we hide ourselves, that is, we recommend ourselves to God to hide us, and he will hide us either under heaven or in heaven. Israel must keep within doors when the destroying angel is slaying the first-born of Egypt, else the blood on the door-posts will not secure them. So must Rahab and her family when Jericho is being destroyed. Those are most safe that are least seen. Qui bene latuit, benevixit - He has lived well who has sought a proper degree of concealment.
II. He assures them that the trouble would be over in a very short time, that they should not long be in any fright or peril: "Hide thyself for a moment, the smallest part of time we can conceive, like an atom of matter; may, if you can imagine one moment shorter than another, it is but for a little moment, and that with a quasi too, as it were for a little moment, less than you think of. When it is over it will seem as nothing to you; you will wonder how soon it is gone. You shall not need to lie long in confinement, long in concealment. The indignation will presently be over-past; that is, the indignation of the enemies against you, their persecuting power and rage, which force you to abscond. When the wicked rise, a man is hid. This will soon be over; God will cut them off, will break their power, defeat their purposes, and find a way for your enlargement." When Athanasius was banished from Alexandria by an edict of Julian, and his friends greatly lamented it, he bade them be of good cheer. Nubecula est quae cito pertransibit - It is a little cloud, that will soon blow over. You shall have tribulation ten days; that is all, Rev 2:10. This enables God's suffering people to call their afflictions light, that they are but for a moment.
III. He assures them that their enemies should be reckoned with for all the mischief they had done them by the sword, either of war or persecution, Isa 26:21. The Lord will punish them for the blood they have shed. Here is, 1. The judgment set, and process issued out: The Lord comes out of his place, to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, in giving such disturbance to all about them. There is a great deal of iniquity among the inhabitants of the earth; but though they all combine in it, though hand join in hand to carry it on, yet it shall not go unpunished. Besides the everlasting punishment into which the wicked shall go hereafter, there are often remarkable punishments of cruelty, oppression, and persecution, in this world. When men's indignation is over-past, and they have done their worst, let them then expect God's indignation, for he sees that his day is coming, Psa 37:13. God comes out of his place to punish. He shows himself in an extraordinary manner from heaven, the firmament of his power, from the sanctuary, the residence of his grace. He is raised up out of his holy habitation, where he seemed before to conceal himself; and now he will do something great, the product of his wise, just, and secret counsels, as a prince that goes to take the chair or take the field, Zac 2:13. Some observe that God's place is the mercy-seat; there he delights to be; when he punishes he comes out of his place, for he has no pleasure in the death of sinners. 2. The criminals convicted by the notorious evidence of the face: The earth shall disclose her blood; the innocent blood, the blood of the saints and martyrs, which has been shed upon the earth like water, and has soaked into it, and been concealed and covered by it, shall not be brought to light, and brought to account; for God will make inquisition for it, and will give those that shed it blood to drink, for they are worthy. Secret murders, and other secret wickednesses, shall be discovered, sooner or later. And the slain which the earth has long covered she shall no longer cover, but they shall be produced as evidence against the murderers. The voice of Abel's blood cries from the earth, Gen 9:10, Gen 9:11; Job 20:27. Those sins which seemed to be buried in oblivion will be called to mind, and called over again, when the day of reckoning comes. Let God's people therefore wait awhile with patience, for behold the Judge stands before the door.
Cross-references: Isa 26:20 · Exod 9:21 · 2Cor 6:17 · Rev 18:4 · Ps 27:5 · Prov 18:10 · Matt 6:6 · Rev 2:10 · Isa 26:21 · Ps 37:13 · Zech 2:13 · Gen 9:10 · Gen 9:11 · Job 20:27