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Isaiah 51:8

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For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.

For the moth {H6211} shall eat them up {H398} like a garment {H899}, and the worm {H5580} shall eat {H398} them like wool {H6785}: but my righteousness {H6666} shall be for ever {H5769}, and my salvation {H3444} from generation {H1755} to generation {H1755}.

For the moth will eat them up like clothing, the worm will eat them like wool; but my justice will be forever, and my salvation for all generations."

For the moth will devour them like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool. But My righteousness will last forever, My salvation through all generations.”

For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool; but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation unto all generations.

Commentary

Isaiah 51:8 from the King James Version offers a powerful contrast between the temporary nature of earthly things and opposition, and the eternal, enduring reality of God's righteousness and salvation.

Context

This verse is part of a section in Isaiah (chapters 49-55) known as the "Book of Comfort" or "Book of Consolation." Isaiah is speaking to the Jewish exiles in Babylon, encouraging them with promises of restoration and future glory. He calls upon those who "follow after righteousness" and "seek the LORD" (Isaiah 51:1) to remember God's past acts of salvation and to trust in His future promises, despite their present difficulties and the apparent strength of their oppressors. Verse 8 specifically reassures them that their enemies, and all temporal things, will decay, while God's saving work endures.

Key Themes

  • The Perishability of Human Opposition: The imagery of the moth eating a garment and the worm eating wool vividly illustrates how easily human power, plans, and opposition disintegrate and disappear. What seems strong and enduring in the world is ultimately fragile compared to divine power.
  • The Eternity of God's Righteousness: In stark contrast to what is temporary, God's perfect justice, faithfulness, and moral character are forever unchanging and incorruptible. His righteousness is the foundation of His actions and promises.
  • The Everlasting Nature of God's Salvation: God's deliverance and redemptive work are not limited by time or generation. His salvation is an eternal reality, available and effective "from generation to generation."
  • Contrast Between Temporary and Eternal: The verse highlights the fundamental difference between all things of the earth that are subject to decay and the eternal attributes and work of God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "righteousness" is tzedeq (צֶדֶק), which encompasses concepts of justice, rightness, and faithfulness to a standard. The word for "salvation" is yesha (יֶשַׁע), related to deliverance, help, and victory. The natural destructive forces of the moth and worm serve as simple, relatable metaphors for decay, emphasizing just how permanent and indestructible God's tzedeq and yesha are in comparison.

Related Scriptures

The theme of earthly things decaying is echoed in other scriptures, reminding us not to store up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy. The concept of God's everlasting righteousness is a cornerstone of His character, as declared in Psalm 119:142. The promise of salvation from generation to generation points forward to the eternal redemption secured through Jesus Christ, which benefits believers across all ages.

Practical Application

Isaiah 51:8 provides immense comfort and perspective for believers today. It reminds us that whatever opposition we face, whatever earthly powers seem overwhelming, they are ultimately temporary and subject to decay, like a worn-out garment. Our hope and security should be placed firmly in God's unchanging character and His eternal salvation, which will never fail or fade. It calls us to live with an eternal perspective, trusting that God's purposes and His salvation for us are secure across all generations.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 50:9 (6 votes)

    Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who [is] he [that] shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

  • Isaiah 51:6 (6 votes)

    Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

  • Isaiah 66:24 (3 votes)

    And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

  • Luke 1:50 (3 votes)

    And his mercy [is] on them that fear him from generation to generation.

  • Hosea 5:12 (3 votes)

    Therefore [will] I [be] unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness.

  • Job 4:19 (3 votes)

    How much less [in] them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation [is] in the dust, [which] are crushed before the moth?

  • Job 13:28 (2 votes)

    And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten.