Isaiah 57:13

¶ When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take [them]: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;

When thou criest {H2199}, let thy companies {H6899} deliver {H5337} thee; but the wind {H7307} shall carry them all away {H5375}; vanity {H1892} shall take {H3947} them: but he that putteth his trust {H2620} in me shall possess {H5157} the land {H776}, and shall inherit {H3423} my holy {H6944} mountain {H2022};

When you cry, will those [idols] you gathered rescue you? The wind will carry them all away, a puff of air will take them off. But whoever takes refuge in me will possess the land and inherit my holy mountain."

When you cry out, let your companies of idols deliver you! Yet the wind will carry off all of them, a breath will take them away. But he who seeks refuge in Me will inherit the land and possess My holy mountain.”

When thou criest, let them that thou hast gathered deliver thee; but the wind shall take them, a breath shall carry them all away: but he that taketh refuge in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain.

Isaiah 57:13 from the King James Version presents a powerful contrast between the futility of relying on false gods or human alliances and the steadfast blessings reserved for those who place their trust in the Lord.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophecy in Isaiah, where God confronts the spiritual adultery and idolatry of His people, particularly during a time of moral decline. Chapters 56 and 57 condemn the wicked practices and misplaced trust of those who had abandoned true worship. The "companies" mentioned here likely refer to the idols, human alliances, or pagan deities that the people turned to for help instead of the one true God. The prophet highlights the desperation of their cries to these powerless entities, contrasting it with the genuine refuge found in the Lord.

Key Themes

  • The Futility of Idolatry: The verse sharply critiques the practice of seeking deliverance from anything other than God. The "companies" or false gods are portrayed as utterly powerless, swept away like chaff by the wind, signifying their emptiness and inability to provide true help or security. This echoes the biblical concept of idols being mere works of human hands, without breath or power.
  • The Steadfastness of Divine Trust: In stark opposition, the verse proclaims the enduring blessings for those who "putteth his trust in me." This trust implies a complete reliance and faith in God's sovereignty and faithfulness.
  • Covenant Blessings and Inheritance: The promises to "possess the land" and "inherit my holy mountain" are rich with covenantal significance. "Possessing the land" refers to the security, prosperity, and peace promised to God's faithful people within the Promised Land, a symbol of divine blessing and provision. "Inheriting my holy mountain" (Mount Zion, Jerusalem) signifies access to God's presence, spiritual fellowship, and a share in His kingdom. This promise extends beyond mere physical territory to a spiritual inheritance and fellowship in the heavenly Jerusalem.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "vanity" in this verse is hebel (הֶבֶל), which literally means "breath" or "vapor." It's often used to describe something fleeting, empty, or ultimately meaningless. This term powerfully underscores the utter worthlessness of relying on anything other than God, as it will surely dissipate like a puff of smoke or breath.

Practical Application

Isaiah 57:13 offers a timeless message for believers today. In a world filled with distractions and false promises, it challenges us to examine where we place our trust. Do we cry out to worldly resources, fleeting trends, or human wisdom for security and deliverance? Or do we, like the faithful in this verse, truly put our trust in the Lord with all our heart? This verse reminds us that true peace, security, and lasting inheritance come only from a genuine, unwavering reliance on God. It encourages us to abandon all forms of spiritual idolatry—whether overt worship of false gods or subtle dependence on anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives—and instead seek our refuge and hope in Him alone.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 37:9

    For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

  • Psalms 37:3

    Trust in the LORD, and do good; [so] shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

  • Isaiah 65:25

    The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust [shall be] the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

  • Isaiah 56:7

    Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices [shall be] accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

  • Isaiah 66:20

    And they shall bring all your brethren [for] an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.

  • Isaiah 65:9

    And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.

  • Zechariah 7:13

    Therefore it is come to pass, [that] as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:
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