you shall winnow them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the tempest shall scatter them. And you shall rejoice in the LORD; in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The imagery of "fanning" the enemies isn't just about scattering them, but likens the process to winnowing grain, where the lighter, useless chaff is separated and blown away by the wind. This highlights that the destruction of these enemies is not just a violent act, but a purposeful sifting, leaving only what is valuable and pure. The ultimate outcome is not just victory, but a profound rejoicing and glorifying in God, the source of that cleansing and victory.
you shall winnow them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the tempest shall scatter them. And you shall rejoice in the LORD; in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory.
English Standard Version (ESV)
In this passage, God, speaking through Isaiah, addresses the people of Israel, who are in exile. He uses the powerful imagery of winnowing and scattering enemies like chaff to illustrate how completely they will be delivered from their oppressors. This deliverance will bring them immense joy, allowing them to rejoice and glory in the Lord.
When facing overwhelming opposition, we can feel like chaff in the wind. This verse reveals that God orchestrates the scattering of our enemies, transforming a terrifying experience into a cause for rejoicing.
The imagery of fanning, wind, and tempest vividly describes the utter destruction and dispersion of God's enemies. This isn't a random event, but a direct action of God. Just as farmers winnow grain to separate the valuable seed from the useless chaff, God will thoroughly deal with those who oppose His people.
After the enemies are scattered, the response isn't fear or exhaustion, but profound rejoicing and glorying. This verse shows us where true and lasting triumph is found.
The outcome of God's decisive action against enemies is not just relief, but a transformed emotional state for His people: rejoicing and glorying.
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Understand the original words
zarah · Hebrew Verb
To separate grain from chaff by casting it into the wind; metaphorically used in Scripture for God’s judgment upon the wicked or the enemies of His people.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel; it signifies His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithful commitment to His covenant people.
Qadosh Yisra'el · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A title for God emphasizing His absolute moral purity, transcendence, and set-apartness, while highlighting His unique relationship with the people of Israel.
halal · Hebrew Verb
To boast or exult in someone or something; biblically, it refers to finding one's ultimate pride, joy, and security in the character and works of God alone.
This prophecy emerges during the Babylonian Exile, a period of national devastation and despair. The vivid imagery of winnowing and scattering enemies reflects the hope for deliverance from oppressive powers, pointing to a future victory and restoration credited to God alone.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
Isaiah prophesies the inviolability of Jerusalem, and the city is miraculously delivered from the Assyrian siege.
621 BC
Discovery of the Book of the Law
King Josiah institutes a religious reformation after the Book of the Law is discovered in the Temple.
605 BC
Battle of Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon defeats the Egyptians, establishing Babylonian dominance in the region.
598 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar deports the Judean elite, including King Jehoiachin, to Babylon.
587 or 586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining population to Babylon. This is the context for the prophecy.
c. 550 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus of Persia begins his conquests, posing a new power dynamic in the region.
This passage uses the imagery of chaff being driven away by the wind, directly echoing Isaiah's description of how enemies will be scattered.
Jeremiah 51:1Jeremiah also employs the metaphor of a winnowing wind scattering enemies, creating a thematic parallel to Isaiah's powerful imagery of divine judgment.
Matthew 3:12The New Testament applies the imagery of winnowing and scattering to God's judgment of the wicked, showing the enduring power of Isaiah's vision.
Revelation 18:21This passage also uses the imagery of a mighty angel casting a great millstone into the sea, symbolizing Babylon's violent and final destruction, similar to the scattering described by Isaiah.
Isaiah 10:17This earlier Isaiah passage speaks of the Light of Israel becoming a fire that consumes the wicked like stubble, reflecting the destructive power unleashed against God's enemies in Isaiah 41.
barnesIsaiah 41:16: "Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel."
Thou shalt fan them - Keeping up the figure commenced in the previous verse. To fan here means to winnow, an operation which was performed by throwing the threshed grain up with a shovel into the air, so that the wind drove the chaff away. So all their enemies, and all the obstacles which were in their way s…
pooleIsaiah 41:16: "Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel."
Thou shalt fan them, when thou hast beaten them as small as dust or chaff. Shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel; for to him, and not to thyself, thou shalt ascribe thy victory over thine enemies.
The imagery of "fanning" the enemies isn't just about scattering them, but likens the process to winnowing grain, where the lighter, useless chaff is separated and blown away by the wind. This highlights that the destruction of these enemies is not just a violent act, but a purposeful sifting, leaving only what is valuable and pure. The ultimate outcome is not just victory, but a profound rejoicing and glorifying in God, the source of that cleansing and victory.
In this passage, God, speaking through Isaiah, addresses the people of Israel, who are in exile. He uses the powerful imagery of winnowing and scattering enemies like chaff to illustrate how completely they will be delivered from their oppressors. This deliverance will bring them immense joy, allowing them to rejoice and glory in the Lord.
In this passage, God, speaking through Isaiah, addresses the people of Israel, who are in exile. He uses the powerful imagery of winnowing and scattering enemies like chaff to illustrate how completely they will be delivered from their oppressors. This deliverance will bring them immense joy, allowing them to rejoice and glory in the Lord.
"you shall winnow them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the tempest shall scatter them. And you shall rejoice in the LORD; in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory." — The imagery of "fanning" the enemies isn't just about scattering them, but likens the process to winnowing grain, where the lighter, useless chaff is separated and blown away by the wind. This highli…
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Last reviewed October 2026