In that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no more lean on him who struck them, but will lean on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights a profound shift: the survivors won't just stop trusting their oppressor, but actively choose to "stay upon the LORD... in truth." This means their new reliance isn't a default, but a genuine, sincere, and faithful commitment, turning away from flawed human power to the steadfast character of God.
In that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no more lean on him who struck them, but will lean on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Assyria stands poised to crush Israel, the prophet Isaiah declares that those who survive will turn away from depending on their oppressors. Instead of leaning on the very power that inflicted their pain, this faithful remnant will finally place their complete trust in the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, with genuine sincerity. This marks a profound shift from seeking human alliances to experiencing true reliance on God alone.
After facing destruction and betrayal, who does a broken people turn to?
Isaiah speaks of a 'remnant' and 'survivors' – those who have endured the devastating blow of the Assyrian invasion. They've experienced firsthand the unreliability of human alliances, particularly the one with Assyria that King Ahaz foolishly pursued. This isn't just about military defeat; it's about a profound disillusionment with relying on 'him who struck them.' The pain of that betrayal becomes the catalyst for a critical shift: a turning away from broken human power towards the dependable power of God.
What does it mean to 'lean on' God 'in truth'?
The verse contrasts the false reliance on an enemy with a new, 'truthful' reliance on 'the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.' This isn't a superficial trust, but a deep, sincere commitment. 'In truth' signifies authenticity, faithfulness, and a complete turning of the heart towards God alone. It means recognizing God's unique holiness and His role as Israel's true protector, not just in profession, but in genuine, unwavering dependence.
Understand the original words
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sha'an · Hebrew Verb
Refers to the act of relying upon, trusting, or resting one's whole weight upon God. It signifies shifting one's confidence from worldly security or human alliances to the trustworthiness of Yahweh.
emet · Hebrew Noun
Denotes sincerity, faithfulness, or reliability. It describes a quality of character that aligns with God's own nature, involving total honesty and steadfastness in relationship with Him.
This prophecy speaks to a profound shift after the terrifying Assyrian invasion, where the survivors learn to lean on God's truth, not the 'smiter' (Assyria), a lesson tragically learned by Judah's King Ahaz who allied with Assyria instead of trusting God.
c. 732 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Israel and Judah
Assyria, under Tiglath-Pileser III, invades the northern kingdom of Israel, destroying many cities and deporting a significant portion of the population. Judah also becomes a vassal state, and King Ahaz seeks Assyrian protection.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, falls to the Assyrians under Shalmaneser V. The remaining Israelites are exiled, and the ten northern tribes are effectively dispersed.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, conquering many fortified cities. He besieges Jerusalem, but the city is miraculously delivered.
Post-701 BC
Hezekiah's Reformation and Reliance on God
Following the deliverance from Sennacherib, King Hezekiah leads a religious reformation, and the people are encouraged to trust in the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, rather than foreign powers.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Exile
Jerusalem falls to Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, the Temple is destroyed, and the majority of Judah's population is exiled to Babylon, marking a period of national devastation and spiritual testing.
c. 539 BC
Return from Exile
Following the conquest of Babylon by Persia, Cyrus the Great issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Judah and rebuild the Temple.
This passage describes Israel turning to 'broken cisterns' (representing unreliable alliances and idols) instead of the 'spring of living water' (representing God), mirroring Isaiah's theme of forsaking those who oppress for true reliance on the Lord.
Psalm 146:3-5This psalm warns against putting trust in human rulers or princes, who cannot save, and highlights the blessing of those whose hope is in the Lord their God, the maker of heaven and earth, which directly parallels Isaiah's call to lean on God alone.
Romans 9:27-28The Apostle Paul quotes this very passage from Isaiah, applying it to the remnant of Israel in his day, emphasizing that God's promise stands not on the multitude of people but on a remnant chosen by grace, connecting the Old Testament concept of a remnant to God's redemptive plan through Christ.
Zechariah 12:5This verse speaks of the clans of Judah relying on themselves or their own strength initially, but then God declares that the inhabitants of Jerusalem will rely on the LORD their God, echoing the theme of a chosen group turning from self-reliance or external powers to the Lord.
pulpitIsaiah 10:20: "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth."
Verses 20-34. - CONSOLATION FOR THE FAITHFUL IN ISRAEL. The destruction of Assyria shall be followed - how soon, is not said - by the return of a "remnant of Israel," not so much to their own land, as to God (vers. 20, 21). The remnant, however, shall be…
gillIsaiah 10:20: "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth."
And it shall come to pass in that day,.... Here begins a prophecy relating to the people of Israel, and concerns things that should befall them after the destruction of the Babylonish monarchy, which after Nebuchadnezzar did not last long; there were but…
This verse highlights a profound shift: the survivors won't just stop trusting their oppressor, but actively choose to "stay upon the LORD... in truth." This means their new reliance isn't a default, but a genuine, sincere, and faithful commitment, turning away from flawed human power to the steadfast character of God.
As Assyria stands poised to crush Israel, the prophet Isaiah declares that those who survive will turn away from depending on their oppressors. Instead of leaning on the very power that inflicted their pain, this faithful remnant will finally place their complete trust in the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, with genuine sincerity. This marks a profound shift from seeking human alliances to experiencing true reliance on God alone.
As Assyria stands poised to crush Israel, the prophet Isaiah declares that those who survive will turn away from depending on their oppressors. Instead of leaning on the very power that inflicted their pain, this faithful remnant will finally place their complete trust in the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, with genuine sincerity. This marks a profound shift from seeking human alliances to experiencing true reliance on God alone.
"In that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no more lean on him who struck them, but will lean on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth." — This verse highlights a profound shift: the survivors won't just stop trusting their oppressor, but actively choose to "stay upon the LORD... in truth." This means their new reliance isn't a default,…
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Last reviewed October 2026