Isaiah 10:22

KJV

For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, [yet] a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.

KJV (with Strong's)

For though thy people {H5971} Israel {H3478} be as the sand {H2344} of the sea {H3220}, yet a remnant {H7605} of them shall return {H7725}: the consumption {H3631} decreed {H2782} shall overflow {H7857} with righteousness {H6666}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For, although your people, Isra'el, are like the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return. Destruction is decreed, overflowing with justice.

Berean Standard Bible

Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand of the sea, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed, overflowing with righteousness.

American Standard Version

For though thy people, Israel, be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them shall return: a destruction is determined, overflowing with righteousness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 10:22 delivers a poignant prophetic declaration concerning the destiny of Israel, asserting God's sovereign judgment and His unwavering commitment to preserve a faithful remnant. Despite the vast numbers of the Israelite people, likened to the abundant sand of the sea, the divine decree of a comprehensive judgment, a "consumption," will sweep through the nation. Yet, this devastating act is not arbitrary destruction but is meticulously purposed to "overflow with righteousness," ensuring that God's justice is perfectly executed and His ultimate redemptive plan for a believing remnant is secured.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Isaiah's "Book of Immanuel" (chapters 7-12), a section primarily concerned with the Assyrian threat and God's response to Judah's unfaithfulness. Specifically, it follows a series of pronouncements of judgment against Assyria for its arrogance and against Israel for its rebellion. Verses 20-23 of chapter 10 shift focus back to Israel, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the impending devastation. The preceding verses [Isaiah 10:5-19](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5-19 - Assyria as God's Rod") detail Assyria's role as God's instrument of judgment, while simultaneously condemning Assyria's pride and self-exaltation. [Isaiah 10:22-23](/isaiah/10-22 "Isaiah 10:22-23 - The Remnant and the Decree") then introduces the concept of a remnant, a recurring theme in Isaiah, indicating that not all of Israel will be destroyed, but only a faithful few will survive and return, signaling a future restoration beyond the immediate judgment. This sets the stage for the glorious Messianic prophecies that follow in [Isaiah 11](/isaiah/11 "Isaiah 11 - The Branch from Jesse") and [Isaiah 12](/isaiah/12 "Isaiah 12 - Song of Salvation").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Isaiah 10:22 is set against the backdrop of the late 8th century BCE, a period of immense geopolitical turmoil in the ancient Near East. The powerful Neo-Assyrian Empire, under kings like Tiglath-Pileser III, Shalmaneser V, and Sargon II, was the dominant superpower, systematically conquering and exiling nations, including the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria fell in 722 BCE). Judah, though surviving longer, was under constant threat and often sought alliances with other nations (e.g., Egypt) rather than trusting in Yahweh. The imagery of "sand of the sea" directly references the Abrahamic covenant, where God promised Abraham an innumerable offspring ([Genesis 22:17](/genesis/22-17 "Genesis 22:17 - God's Covenant Promise to Abraham")). This cultural reference would have immediately evoked God's faithfulness to His promises, making the subsequent declaration of a "remnant" even more striking and paradoxical. The "consumption decreed" reflects the common ancient Near Eastern practice of total war and devastation, but here, it is divinely ordained and purposeful, not merely human aggression.

* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 10:22 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Isaiah and broader biblical theology. The most prominent is the **doctrine of the remnant**, which posits that despite widespread apostasy and impending judgment, God will preserve a faithful minority through whom His covenant promises will ultimately be fulfilled. This concept is crucial for understanding God's redemptive plan throughout history, as seen in the preservation of Noah's family ([Genesis 7:23](/genesis/7-23 "Genesis 7:23 - Noah and the Flood")), Elijah's hidden followers ([1-kings/19-18](/1-kings/19-18 "1 Kings 19:18 - God Preserves a Remnant")), and ultimately, the formation of the church. Another key theme is **divine sovereignty and judgment**, where God is depicted as actively orchestrating historical events, even using pagan nations like Assyria as His instruments of wrath ([Isaiah 10:5-6](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5 - Assyria as God's Rod")). This judgment, though severe, is not capricious but is a **righteous consumption**, meaning it is entirely just and consistent with God's holy character. The "overflow with righteousness" underscores that God's justice is not merely punitive but also redemptive, clearing the way for true spiritual renewal and the establishment of His kingdom. This theme resonates with later prophetic declarations about God's just dealings with His people, as seen in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant") and [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **people (Hebrew, _ʻam'_):** This term (H5971) refers to a congregated unit, specifically a tribe or nation, and collectively, troops or attendants. In this context, it emphasizes the entire nation of Israel, God's chosen covenant people, highlighting the stark contrast between their vast numerical promise and the small portion that will ultimately be saved.
* **sand (Hebrew, _chôwl'_):** Derived from a root meaning to whirl, this word (H2344) denotes sand as round or whirling particles. It is used here as a common biblical metaphor for immense, uncountable numbers, directly recalling God's covenant promises to Abraham regarding his innumerable descendants ([Genesis 22:17](/genesis/22-17 "Genesis 22:17 - God's Promise of Innumerable Descendants")).
* **remnant (Hebrew, _shᵉʼâr'_):** This noun (H7605) signifies a remainder, residue, or rest. In prophetic literature, it carries profound theological weight, denoting the faithful few whom God preserves through judgment, maintaining His covenant line and purposes. It implies both survival and spiritual fidelity.
* **return (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** A primitive root (H7725) meaning to turn back, whether literally or figuratively. Here, it implies both a physical return from exile and, more importantly, a spiritual turning or repentance back to God. This dual meaning is crucial for understanding the nature of the remnant's salvation.
* **consumption (Hebrew, _killâyôwn'_):** From a root meaning to complete or bring to an end, this word (H3631) signifies pining, destruction, or failing. It describes a decisive and thorough act of judgment, a divinely ordained cutting off or annihilation of the unrighteous.
* **decreed (Hebrew, _chârats'_):** A primitive root (H2782) meaning to point sharply, to wound, or figuratively, to be alert, to decide, or determine. When applied to God's actions, it signifies a fixed, unalterable, and decisive judgment or purpose.
* **overflow (Hebrew, _shâṭaph'_):** A primitive root (H7857) meaning to gush, inundate, or cleanse. It implies a powerful, sweeping movement, like a flood. Here, it describes the overwhelming nature of the decreed consumption, but also the pervasive presence of righteousness within that very act.
* **righteousness (Hebrew, _tsᵉdâqâh'_):** This noun (H6666) denotes rightness, rectitude, justice, virtue, or even prosperity. In the context of divine judgment, it emphasizes that God's actions are entirely just, morally upright, and consistent with His holy character, even when they involve severe punishment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea":** This clause establishes a striking contrast. It acknowledges the vast, innumerable population of Israel, a direct echo of God's ancient covenant promise to Abraham ([Genesis 22:17](/genesis/22-17 "Genesis 22:17 - God's Promise to Abraham")). This numerical strength, however, is juxtaposed against the impending reality of judgment, setting up the dramatic tension of the verse.
* **"[yet] a remnant of them shall return":** Despite the immense numbers, only a small, preserved portion—the "remnant"—will survive the impending judgment and experience restoration. The word "return" carries a dual meaning: a physical return from exile (e.g., Assyrian or Babylonian captivity) and, more profoundly, a spiritual return or repentance to God, signifying a renewed covenant relationship. This highlights God's faithfulness to His ultimate redemptive purposes, even amidst widespread apostasy.
* **"the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness":** This powerful declaration reveals the nature and purpose of God's judgment. The "consumption" refers to a divinely ordained, decisive, and thorough destruction or cutting off of the unrighteous elements within Israel. It is "decreed," meaning it is a fixed, unalterable purpose of God. Crucially, this judgment is not arbitrary or capricious; it "shall overflow with righteousness." This signifies that God's actions, even in their severity, are perfectly just, morally upright, and consistent with His holy character. His righteousness is not compromised but rather fully manifest through the execution of His judgment, clearing the way for a purified people.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 10:22 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Simile**, comparing "thy people Israel" to "the sand of the sea," which immediately evokes the covenant promises of innumerable descendants made to Abraham ([Genesis 13:16](/genesis/13-16 "Genesis 13:16 - Abraham's Descendants as Dust")). This simile serves as a dramatic **juxtaposition**, highlighting the immense initial promise against the stark reality of a drastically reduced population due to judgment. The concept of the "remnant" itself is a **theological motif** that runs throughout Isaiah, signifying God's selective preservation for His redemptive purposes. The phrase "the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness" uses **personification** by attributing the action of "overflowing" to an abstract concept like "consumption" and **metaphor** by describing righteousness as something that can "overflow," like water. This vivid imagery emphasizes the pervasive and overwhelming nature of God's just judgment, ensuring that His holiness is fully vindicated even in the act of destruction. The entire verse functions as a **prophetic paradox**, simultaneously declaring widespread devastation and the certain preservation of a faithful few, underscoring God's complex and sovereign dealings with His covenant people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 10:22 serves as a pivotal statement on God's sovereign control over history, His unwavering justice, and His enduring faithfulness to His covenant promises through the preservation of a remnant. It underscores that divine judgment, though devastating, is never arbitrary but is always a righteous act, designed to purify and ultimately fulfill God's redemptive purposes. This concept of a faithful remnant, preserved through trials and judgment, is a foundational theme that echoes throughout biblical history, demonstrating God's consistent method of working through a chosen few to accomplish His will, even when the majority falter. It highlights the tension between God's universal call and the particularity of His saving work, ensuring that His plan for a holy people will always prevail.

* [Romans 9:27-28](/romans/9-27 "Romans 9:27-28 - Paul's Quotation of Isaiah on the Remnant")
* [Zephaniah 3:12-13](/zephaniah/3-12 "Zephaniah 3:12-13 - The Humble Remnant")
* [Micah 2:12-13](/micah/2-12 "Micah 2:12-13 - Gathering the Remnant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 10:22 offers a profound and challenging truth for believers today. It reminds us that God's promises are not unconditional guarantees of prosperity for all who bear His name, but rather are rooted in His righteous character and His ultimate redemptive plan. While God's grace is vast, His justice is equally unyielding. This verse calls us to a sober self-examination, prompting us to consider whether we are merely part of the "many" who claim association with God, or truly part of the "remnant" who have genuinely "returned" to Him in faith and obedience. In a world or even a church that may seem to be drifting from biblical truth, this passage provides both a warning against complacency and a deep wellspring of hope. It assures us that God always preserves a faithful core, and His purposes will ultimately be accomplished, not through human strength or numbers, but through His sovereign, righteous hand. Our call, then, is to strive to be among that faithful remnant, living lives that genuinely reflect a turning back to God, trusting in His righteous decrees even when they involve painful consumption.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be relying on outward association with God's people rather than a genuine, inward "return" to Him?**
* **How does the concept of God's "righteous consumption" challenge my understanding of His love and justice?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure I am part of the faithful remnant, truly living in alignment with God's will?**
* **How does this verse encourage me when I see widespread spiritual decline around me?**

### FAQ
**What does "the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness" mean?**

Answer: This phrase signifies that the severe judgment (the "consumption") that God has divinely determined ("decreed") for His people is not arbitrary destruction but is entirely just and consistent with His holy character. It means that God's righteousness is not diminished by His judgment; rather, it is fully manifested and vindicated through it. The judgment serves a purifying purpose, ensuring that God's justice is perfectly served and that the outcome, though painful, ultimately aligns with His righteous nature and redemptive plan for a faithful remnant. It's a declaration that even in wrath, God is perfectly just and holy.

**How does Isaiah 10:22 relate to the concept of the "remnant" in other parts of the Bible?**

Answer: Isaiah 10:22 is a foundational text for the biblical doctrine of the remnant. It establishes that despite the vast numbers of God's covenant people, only a faithful minority will survive and be preserved through divine judgment. This concept appears throughout Scripture, illustrating God's consistent method of working through a chosen few. For example, after the flood, Noah and his family were a remnant preserving humanity ([Genesis 7:23](/genesis/7-23 "Genesis 7:23 - Noah and the Flood")). Elijah believed he was the only faithful one, but God revealed He had preserved 7,000 who had not bowed to Baal ([1-kings/19-18](/1-kings/19-18 "1 Kings 19:18 - God's Remnant of 7,000")). In the New Testament, Paul explicitly references Isaiah 10:22 in [Romans 9:27-28](/romans/9-27 "Romans 9:27-28 - Paul on the Remnant of Israel") to explain that God's election and salvation for Israel would always involve a remnant, not the whole nation, emphasizing that salvation is by grace through faith. This theme highlights God's sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, even when the majority are unfaithful.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 10:22 finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "remnant" that is preserved and "returns" is not merely a physical or national entity but points forward to the spiritual Israel, the church, comprised of all who are united to Christ by faith. Jesus Himself is the true and faithful "remnant" of Israel, the one perfectly righteous Son who truly "returned" to God in obedience and submission, even unto death ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). His perfect life and atoning sacrifice on the cross represent the ultimate "consumption decreed," where the righteous judgment of God against sin was poured out upon Him, the spotless Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). In this divine transaction, God's justice was fully satisfied, and His righteousness "overflowed" in a way that provides salvation for all who believe. Through Christ, the promise of an innumerable people, once tied to physical descent, is now fulfilled in a spiritual multitude from every tribe and nation ([Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - The Multitude from Every Nation")). Thus, the remnant of Isaiah's prophecy is not just a surviving few, but a new humanity, redeemed and made righteous in Christ, who is the very embodiment of God's righteous consumption and the source of our spiritual return to Him ([2-corinthians/5-21](/2-corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 9:27

Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

Romans 9:28

For he will finish the work, and cut [it] short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

Isaiah 6:13

But yet in it [shall be] a tenth, and [it] shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance [is] in them, when they cast [their leaves: so] the holy seed [shall be] the substance thereof.

Romans 11:5

Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Romans 11:6

And if by grace, then [is it] no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if [it be] of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Daniel 9:27

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Revelation 20:8

And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom [is] as the sand of the sea.