Isaiah 10:20-22
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The core of this verse isn't just about a future turning to God, but a correction of past mistakes. It highlights that the "smiter" (Assyria) was once sought for protection, and the turning point described is a profound reorientation – moving from a "broken staff" of human alliances to a genuine, faithful trust in the Lord 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. A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God. For though your people Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return. Destruction is decreed, overflowing with righteousness.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is a turning point, offering hope after a prophecy of judgment against the Assyrian empire, which had been a tool of God's wrath against Israel. It assures that the survivors of Israel, those who endure the coming devastation, will finally learn to trust only in the Lord, not in foreign alliances that ultimately bring destruction. This newfound reliance on God marks a shift from past mistakes, where leaders like Ahaz leaned on Assyria for help instead of God.
Have you ever put your trust in something or someone that ultimately let you down? The people of Israel did just that, leaning on human power instead of divine.
Shifting Trust
Isaiah 10:20 speaks of a future "day" when a faithful "remnant" of Israel and survivors of Jacob would stop relying on "him who struck them." Who was this "smiter"?
This verse is a powerful reminder that misplaced trust leads to disappointment and deeper trouble.
When the foundations we rely on crumble, where do we turn? This verse points to a singular, steadfast source of hope.
True Security in God
The core of Isaiah 10:20 is a radical shift in reliance: from the earthly "smiter" to the heavenly "LORD, the Holy One of Israel." What does this mean for us?
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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.
kalah · Hebrew Noun
The total and definitive judgment of God upon sin. In this context, it refers to the judicial sentence that is both inevitable and executed according to God's standard of justice.
tsedaqah · Hebrew Noun
The attribute of God that describes His moral perfection and faithfulness to His covenant. Even in judgment, God acts in accordance with His holy and upright nature.
This verse speaks to the profound lesson learned after repeated historical betrayals and divine judgments: true security and faithfulness are found only in an unwavering trust in God, not in shifting political alliances or human strength.
c. 734 BC
Assyrian Invasion and Syro-Ephraimite War
Assyria, under Tiglath-Pileser III, invades the northern kingdom of Israel and attacks the southern kingdom of Judah. King Ahaz of Judah allies with Assyria, paying a heavy tribute, and turns away from reliance on the LORD.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, Samaria, falls to the Assyrians. This marks the end of the northern kingdom and results in the deportation of many Israelites, leaving a 'remnant'.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
Assyrian King Sennacherib invades Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah, conquering many fortified cities and threatening Jerusalem. Hezekiah, despite initial reliance on Egypt, ultimately trusts in the LORD.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Army Destroyed
The Assyrian army besieging Jerusalem is miraculously struck down by the LORD, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw and saving Judah. This event confirms Isaiah's prophecy and highlights the futility of relying on human alliances.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon begins deporting Judeans to Babylon, including members of the royal family and educated elite, marking the start of the Babylonian exile.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, paving the way for the return of Jewish exiles to Jerusalem.
This passage echoes the warning against trusting in human strength or alliances, highlighting that such reliance leads to a curse, just as Isaiah 10:20 points to the folly of leaning on the 'one who struck them' instead of God.
Psalm 18:2This verse beautifully parallels the idea of finding refuge and strength in God, describing Him as one's rock, fortress, and deliverer, which is the core message of the 'leaning on the LORD' in Isaiah 10:20.
Isaiah 31:1This passage directly critiques the very practice Isaiah 10:20 promises will cease: seeking help from Egypt (a 'smiter' in its own way) rather than relying on the Lord. It shows a consistent theme in Isaiah about misplaced trust.
2 Kings 18:5This verse speaks of Hezekiah's trust in the LORD, 'clinging to the LORD,' which is the direct fulfillment and embodiment of the truth described in Isaiah 10:20, especially in the context of facing Assyria.
Romans 9:27The Apostle Paul directly quotes from Isaiah, highlighting that even though Israel is like the sand of the sea, only a remnant will be saved. This connects to Isaiah's emphasis on a 'remnant' who will finally lean on the LORD in truth.
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…
The core of this verse isn't just about a future turning to God, but a correction of past mistakes. It highlights that the "smiter" (Assyria) was once sought for protection, and the turning point described is a profound reorientation – moving from a "broken staff" of human alliances to a genuine, faithful trust in the Lord alone.
This verse is a turning point, offering hope after a prophecy of judgment against the Assyrian empire, which had been a tool of God's wrath against Israel. It assures that the survivors of Israel, those who endure the coming devastation, will finally learn to trust only in the Lord, not in foreign alliances that ultimately bring destruction. This newfound reliance on God marks a shift from past mistakes, where leaders like Ahaz leaned on Assyria for help instead of God.
This verse is a turning point, offering hope after a prophecy of judgment against the Assyrian empire, which had been a tool of God's wrath against Israel. It assures that the survivors of Israel, those who endure the coming devastation, will finally learn to trust only in the Lord, not in foreign alliances that ultimately bring destruction. This newfound reliance on God marks a shift from past mistakes, where leaders like Ahaz leaned on Assyria for help instead 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. A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God…" — The core of this verse isn't just about a future turning to God, but a correction of past mistakes. It highlights that the "smiter" (Assyria) was once sought for protection, and the turning point d…
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Last reviewed October 2026
