Isaiah 10:20-21
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What's easily missed is that "in truth" isn't just about sincerity; it points to a new reality. After experiencing the failure of relying on human power (the "smiter"), the remnant will finally trust the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, as He is revealed—not through shaky alliances, but in His unveiled faithfulness. This marks a decisive turn from outward, political trust to a deep, unshakeable dependence on God Himself.
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. A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse comes after God declares judgment on Assyria as His instrument for punishing the nations, including His own people. It's part of a larger prophecy that contrasts God's ultimate judgment on oppressive empires with the future restoration and reliance of His faithful people. The verses immediately following will describe the eventual downfall of Assyria and the eventual peace brought by the Messiah.
Have you ever leaned on something or someone you thought was strong, only for it to crumble under pressure? The people of Israel did this, and the consequences were devastating.
In Isaiah's time, the kingdom of Judah faced a powerful enemy: the Assyrians. Instead of trusting God, King Ahaz and others sought alliances with Assyria for protection. This verse calls out that misplaced trust.
A Broken Reed
The Assyrian king, intended as a tool for God's judgment, became a source of false hope. When people lean on human power, political alliances, or anything other than God, it's like trying to rest on a broken reed. It will pierce and wound you.
The Cost of Compromise
These alliances often involved worshiping other gods or compromising faithfulness to the Lord. The "smiter" was not just an enemy, but a symbol of the very thing that wounded them spiritually as well as physically.
After realizing the failure of human strength, where do we turn? This verse points to the ultimate source of security and truth.
The turning point in Isaiah 10:20 is a profound shift in allegiance. The "remnant" – those who survive and remain faithful – will stop leaning on the power that hurt them and begin to lean on the Lord.
The Holy One of Israel
This isn't just a generic God; it's a specific title: "the LORD, the Holy One of Israel." This emphasizes His unique covenant relationship with His people and His absolute, set-apart nature. He is not fallible like human kings or empires.
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Leaning in Truth
The word "truth" here means more than just sincerity; it signifies faithfulness and reliability. True trust means aligning our lives with God's reality, His promises, and His character. It's a deep, unwavering reliance because He is fundamentally trustworthy.
Understand the original words
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.
she'ar · Hebrew Noun
A small portion or survivors of a larger group who remain faithful to God through judgment. It represents the faithful minority within the covenant community whom God preserves for His purposes.
El Gibbor · Hebrew Noun phrase
A title for God emphasizing His absolute power, strength, and authority over all creation. It serves as a reminder of His ability to deliver His people from overwhelming opposition.
This verse speaks to a critical turning point after the Assyrian invasion, emphasizing a shift from misplaced trust in human powers (like Assyria under King Ahaz) to a sincere reliance on God.
c. 734 BC
Ahaz seeks Assyrian alliance
Facing invasion from the allied forces of Syria and Israel (the Northern Kingdom), King Ahaz of Judah, instead of trusting God, appeals to Assyria for aid, becoming a vassal king.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria to Assyria
The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Samaria, falls to the Assyrian Empire. Many Israelites are exiled, highlighting the danger of Assyrian power.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib's invasion of Judah
Assyrian King Sennacherib invades Judah, conquering many cities and besieging Jerusalem. This event fulfills the warnings about relying on foreign powers and the Assyrian 'smiter'.
c. 701 BC
Divine deliverance of Jerusalem
The Assyrian army besieging Jerusalem is miraculously struck down by an angel of the LORD, saving the city and the remnant of Judah from destruction.
Post-701 BC
Hezekiah's reign and reformation
Following the deliverance from Assyria, King Hezekiah leads a significant religious reformation, encouraging trust in the LORD alone.
This passage echoes Isaiah's theme of misplaced trust, contrasting those who rely on human strength with those who put their faith in the Lord, highlighting the blessings that flow from true reliance on God.
Psalm 146:3-6Similar to Isaiah's message, this psalm warns against trusting in human leaders or powers, emphasizing that true help and hope are found only in the Lord, the Creator.
2 Chronicles 28:20-22This historical account shows King Ahaz leaning on the king of Assyria for help when he was distressed, directly illustrating the 'leaning on him who smote them' that Isaiah condemns and predicting the negative consequences of such alliances.
Romans 9:27-28The Apostle Paul quotes Isaiah's prophecy to highlight that not all of Israel will be saved, but a remnant, emphasizing that God's sovereign purpose is at work even in judgment and salvation.
Isaiah 30:1-3This passage directly rebukes Judah for seeking help from Egypt rather than trusting in the Lord, mirroring Isaiah 10:20's call to abandon reliance on foreign powers and turn to God for deliverance.
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…
What's easily missed is that "in truth" isn't just about sincerity; it points to a new reality. After experiencing the failure of relying on human power (the "smiter"), the remnant will finally trust the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, as He is revealed—not through shaky alliances, but in His unveiled faithfulness. This marks a decisive turn from outward, political trust to a deep, unshakeable dependence on God Himself.
This verse comes after God declares judgment on Assyria as His instrument for punishing the nations, including His own people. It's part of a larger prophecy that contrasts God's ultimate judgment on oppressive empires with the future restoration and reliance of His faithful people. The verses immediately following will describe the eventual downfall of Assyria and the eventual peace brought by the Messiah.
This verse comes after God declares judgment on Assyria as His instrument for punishing the nations, including His own people. It's part of a larger prophecy that contrasts God's ultimate judgment on oppressive empires with the future restoration and reliance of His faithful people. The verses immediately following will describe the eventual downfall of Assyria and the eventual peace brought by the Messiah.
"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. A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God." — What's easily missed is that "in truth" isn't just about sincerity; it points to a new reality. After experiencing the failure of relying on human power (the "smiter"), the remnant will finally tru…
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Last reviewed October 2026
