Isaiah 29:8 as when a hungry man dreams he is eating, then awakens still hungry; as when a thirsty man dreams he is drinking, then awakens faint and parched. So will it be for all the many nations who go to battle against Mount Zion.

◄ Isaiah 29:8 ►

New International Version
as when a hungry person dreams of eating, but awakens hungry still; as when a thirsty person dreams of drinking, but awakens faint and thirsty still. So will it be with the hordes of all the nations that fight against Mount Zion.

New Living Translation
A hungry person dreams of eating but wakes up still hungry. A thirsty person dreams of drinking but is still faint from thirst when morning comes. So it will be with your enemies, with those who attack Mount Zion.”

English Standard Version
As when a hungry man dreams, and behold, he is eating, and awakes with his hunger not satisfied, or as when a thirsty man dreams, and behold, he is drinking, and awakes faint, with his thirst not quenched, so shall the multitude of all the nations be that fight against Mount Zion.

Berean Standard Bible
as when a hungry man dreams he is eating, then awakens still hungry; as when a thirsty man dreams he is drinking, then awakens faint and parched. So will it be for all the many nations who go to battle against Mount Zion.

King James Bible
It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

New King James Version
It shall even be as when a hungry man dreams, And look—he eats; But he awakes, and his soul is still empty; Or as when a thirsty man dreams, And look—he drinks; But he awakes, and indeed he is faint, And his soul still craves: So the multitude of all the nations shall be, Who fight against Mount Zion.”

New American Standard Bible
It will be as when a hungry person dreams— And behold, he is eating; But when he awakens, his hunger is not satisfied, Or as when a thirsty person dreams— And behold, he is drinking, But when he awakens, behold, he is faint And his thirst is not quenched. So will the multitude of all the nations be Who wage war against Mount Zion.

NASB 1995
It will be as when a hungry man dreams— And behold, he is eating; But when he awakens, his hunger is not satisfied, Or as when a thirsty man dreams— And behold, he is drinking, But when he awakens, behold, he is faint And his thirst is not quenched. Thus the multitude of all the nations will be Who wage war against Mount Zion.

NASB 1977
And it will be as when a hungry man dreams— And behold, he is eating; But when he awakens, his hunger is not satisfied, Or as when a thirsty man dreams— And behold, he is drinking, But when he awakens, behold, he is faint, And his thirst is not quenched. Thus the multitude of all the nations shall be, Who wage war against Mount Zion.

Legacy Standard Bible
And it will be as when a hungry man dreams— And behold, he is eating; But he awakens, and his soul is empty, Or as when a thirsty man dreams— And behold, he is drinking, But he awakens, and behold, he is faint, And his soul is not quenched. Thus the multitude of all the nations will be Who wage war against Mount Zion.

Amplified Bible
It will be as when a hungry man dreams That he is eating, But when he awakens, his hunger is not satisfied; Or as when a thirsty man dreams That he is drinking, But when he awakens, in fact, he is faint And his thirst is not quenched. So will the multitude of all the nations be Who fight against Mount Zion.

Christian Standard Bible
It will be like a hungry one who dreams he is eating, then wakes and is still hungry; and like a thirsty one who dreams he is drinking, then wakes and is still thirsty, longing for water. So it will be for all the many nations who go to battle against Mount Zion.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
It will be like a hungry one who dreams he is eating, then wakes and is still hungry; and like a thirsty one who dreams he is drinking, then wakes and is still thirsty, longing for water. So it will be for all the many nations who go to battle against Mount Zion.

American Standard Version
And it shall be as when a hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

Contemporary English Version
Those nations that attack Mount Zion will suffer from hunger and thirst. They will dream of food and drink but wake up weary and hungry and thirsty as ever.

English Revised Version
And it shall be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They will be like hungry people who dream that they're eating and wake up to find they're hungry. They will be like thirsty people who dream that they're drinking and wake up to find they're lightheaded and parched with thirst. This is what will happen to the armies from all the nations that fight against Mount Zion.

Good News Translation
All the nations that assemble to attack Jerusalem will be like a starving person who dreams he is eating and wakes up hungry, or like someone dying of thirst who dreams he is drinking and wakes with a dry throat.

International Standard Version
as when a hungry man dreams— he eats, but wakes up still hungry; or when a thirsty man dreams— he drinks, but wakes up faint, with his thirst unquenched. So will it be with the hordes of all the nations that fight against Mount Zion.

Majority Standard Bible
as when a hungry man dreams he is eating, then awakens still hungry; as when a thirsty man dreams he is drinking, then awakens faint and parched. So will it be for all the many nations who go to battle against Mount Zion.

NET Bible
It will be like a hungry man dreaming that he is eating, only to awaken and find that his stomach is empty. It will be like a thirsty man dreaming that he is drinking, only to awaken and find that he is still weak and his thirst unquenched. So it will be for the horde from all the nations that fight against Mount Zion.

New Heart English Bible
It will be like when a hungry man dreams, and look, he eats; but he awakes, and his hunger isn't satisfied; or like when a thirsty man dreams, and look, he drinks; but he awakes, and look, he is faint, and he is still thirsty. The multitude of all the nations that fight against Mount Zion will be like that.

Webster's Bible Translation
It shall even be as when a hungry man dreameth, and behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

World English Bible
It will be like when a hungry man dreams, and behold, he eats; but he awakes, and his hunger isn’t satisfied; or like when a thirsty man dreams, and behold, he drinks; but he awakes, and behold, he is faint, and he is still thirsty. The multitude of all the nations that fight against Mount Zion will be like that.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And it has been, as when the hungry dreams, "" And behold, he is eating, "" And he has awoken, "" And his soul [is] empty, "" And as when the thirsty dreams, "" And behold, he is drinking, "" And he has awoken, "" And behold, he is weary, "" And his soul is longing, "" So is the multitude of all the nations "" Who are warring against Mount Zion.

Young's Literal Translation
And it hath been, as when the hungry dreameth, And lo, he is eating, And he hath waked, and empty is his soul, And as when the thirsty dreameth, And lo, he is drinking, and he hath waked, And lo, he is weary, and his soul is longing, So is the multitude of all the nations Who are warring against mount Zion.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it was as when the hungry shall dream, and behold, he ate; and he awoke and his soul was empty: and as when the thirsty shall dream, and behold, he drank, and he awoke, and behold, he fainted, and his soul desired: thus shall be the multitude of all the nations warring against mount Zion.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And as he that is hungry dreameth, and eateth, but when he is awake, his soul is empty: and as he that is thirsty dreameth, and drinketh, and after he is awake, is yet faint with thirst, and his soul is empty: so shall be the multitude of all the Gentiles, that have fought against mount Sion.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And it will be like one who is hungry and dreams of eating, but, when he has been awakened, his soul is empty. And it will be like one who is thirsty and dreams of drinking, but, after he has been awakened, he still languishes in thirst, and his soul is empty. So shall the multitude of all the nations be, who have struggled against Mount Zion.

New American Bible
As when a hungry man dreams he is eating and awakens with an empty stomach, Or when a thirsty man dreams he is drinking and awakens faint, his throat parched, So shall the horde of all the nations be, who make war against Mount Zion.

New Revised Standard Version
Just as when a hungry person dreams of eating and wakes up still hungry, or a thirsty person dreams of drinking and wakes up faint, still thirsty, so shall the multitude of all the nations be that fight against Mount Zion.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And it shall even be as when a hungry man dreams that he is eating, and when he awakes he is weary and famished; or as when a thirsty man dreams that he is drinking, but when he awakes, he is faint, with his thirst not quenched; so shall the multitude of all the nations be that fight against mount Zion.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it will be as a hungry one who sees in his dream that he eats, and when he awakened is famished and empty, and like one who is thirsty and he sees in a dream that he is drinking, and when he wakes up he is trembling and empty, so the multitude of all of them the nations who are strengthened against the Mountain of Zion shall be

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And it shall be as when a hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth, But he awaketh, and his soul is empty; Or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh, But he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite-- So shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And as men drink and eat in sleep, and when they have arisen, the dream is vain: and as a thirsty man dreams as if he drank, and having arisen is still thirsty, and his soul has desired in vain: so shall be the wealth of all the nations, as many as have fought against the mount Sion.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Woe to the City of David
…7All the many nations going out to battle against Ariel—even all who war against her, laying siege and attacking her—will be like a dream, like a vision in the night, 8 as when a hungry man dreams he is eating, then awakens still hungry; as when a thirsty man dreams he is drinking, then awakens faint and parched. So will it be for all the many nations who go to battle against Mount Zion. 9Stop and be astonished; blind yourselves and be sightless; be drunk, but not with wine; stagger, but not from strong drink.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Psalm 73:20
Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.

Job 20:8
He will fly away like a dream, never to be found; he will be chased away like a vision in the night.

Psalm 90:5
You sweep them away in their sleep; they are like the new grass of the morning—

Psalm 126:1
A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers.

Proverbs 23:7
for he is keeping track, inwardly counting the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

Jeremiah 31:26
At this I awoke and looked around. My sleep had been most pleasant to me.

Habakkuk 2:3
For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay.

Zechariah 14:12-15
And this will be the plague with which the LORD strikes all the peoples who have warred against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. / On that day a great panic from the LORD will come upon them, so that each will seize the hand of another, and the hand of one will rise against the other. / Judah will also fight at Jerusalem, and the wealth of all the surrounding nations will be collected—gold, silver, and apparel in great abundance. ...

Matthew 24:43
But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.

Luke 12:39
But understand this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.

1 Thessalonians 5:3
While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

2 Peter 3:10
But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.

Revelation 3:3
Remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you.

Revelation 16:15
“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains awake and clothed, so that he will not go naked and let his shame be exposed.”

Psalm 78:65
Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a mighty warrior overcome by wine.

Treasury of Scripture

It shall even be as when an hungry man dreams, and, behold, he eats; but he wakes, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreams, and, behold, he drinks; but he wakes, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul has appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

as when

Isaiah 10:7-16
Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few…

2 Chronicles 32:21
And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.

behold

Isaiah 44:12
The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.

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Awakes Awaketh Dreameth Dreams Drinketh Drinking Drinks Eateth Eating Eats Empty Faint Fight Hunger Hungry Mount Multitude Nations Quenched Satisfied Soul Thirst Thirsty Zion

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Awakes Awaketh Dreameth Dreams Drinketh Drinking Drinks Eateth Eating Eats Empty Faint Fight Hunger Hungry Mount Multitude Nations Quenched Satisfied Soul Thirst Thirsty Zion

Isaiah 29

1. God's heavy judgment upon Jerusalem
7. The insatiableness of her enemies
9. The senselessness
13. And deep hypocrisy of the people
17. A promise of sanctification to the godly

Berean Study Bible

as when a hungry man dreams he is eating
This phrase captures the illusion of satisfaction. The Hebrew word for "hungry" is "רָעֵב" (ra'ev), which conveys a deep, gnawing hunger. In the context of a dream, this hunger is temporarily appeased, yet it is ultimately unfulfilled. This imagery serves as a metaphor for the futility of the nations' efforts against God's people. Historically, the nations surrounding Israel often sought to conquer and subdue it, yet their efforts were ultimately in vain, much like a dream that offers no real sustenance.

but he awakens hungry still
The awakening signifies a return to reality, where the hunger remains unaddressed. The Hebrew root "עוּר" (ur) for "awakens" implies a stirring or arousal, often used in the context of God awakening His people to spiritual truths. Here, it underscores the emptiness of relying on anything other than God for true fulfillment. The nations' ambitions against Zion are as insubstantial as a dream, leaving them unsatisfied and unfulfilled.

as when a thirsty man dreams he is drinking
Thirst in the Bible often symbolizes a deep spiritual longing. The Hebrew word "צָמֵא" (tzame) for "thirsty" suggests an intense craving. In a dream, this thirst seems quenched, yet it is merely an illusion. This reflects the spiritual state of those who oppose God's purposes, seeking satisfaction in worldly conquests that cannot truly satisfy the soul's deeper needs.

but he awakens faint and parched
The word "faint" in Hebrew is "עָיֵף" (ayeph), indicating exhaustion and weariness. "Parched" comes from "צָמֵא" (tzame), the same root as "thirsty," emphasizing the unrelieved state of need. This highlights the ultimate futility and exhaustion of those who strive against God's will. Despite their efforts, they find themselves spiritually depleted and unfulfilled.

so it will be for all the many nations
This phrase extends the metaphor to a broader scope, encompassing "all the many nations" that oppose God's chosen people. Historically, this includes the Assyrians, Babylonians, and others who sought to destroy Israel. The phrase underscores the universality of God's sovereignty and the futility of opposing His divine plan. The nations' collective efforts are as ineffective as a dream, unable to alter God's purposes.

who fight against Mount Zion
"Mount Zion" is a significant biblical symbol representing God's presence and His covenant with Israel. The Hebrew "צִיּוֹן" (Tziyon) is not just a physical location but a spiritual stronghold. Throughout scripture, Zion is depicted as the place where God dwells and where His people find refuge. The nations' opposition to Zion is ultimately an opposition to God Himself. This phrase reassures believers of God's unassailable protection over His people and His ultimate victory over all adversaries.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8) It shall even be as when an hungry man . . . eateth.--The foes of Jerusalem were greedy of their prey, eager to devour; they thought it was already theirs. The rude awakening found them still empty. The lion of Judah was not to be devoured even by the strong bull of Assyria.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 8. - It shall be even as when an hungry man dreameth. The melting away of the vision would involve a keen disappointment. The enemies of Israel had expected to secure a most valuable prey. They had dreamed of a rich booty when they should take the city - a booty which would reward them for all the hardships of their marches, their watches, their toils in the siege, the dangers to which they exposed themselves in the assaults. It was as if a hungry man had dreamed that he was engaged in a feast, or a thirsty man that he was drinking deep at a banquet, when suddenly he wakes up, and finds that he has been merely dreaming, and that there is no reality in his fancies. Dr. Kay quotes a passage which is much to the point from Mungo Park's journals: "No sooner had I shut my eyes than fancy would convey me to the streams and rivers of my native land. There, as I wandered along the verdant bank, I surveyed the clear streams with transport, and hastened to swallow the delightful draught; but, alas! disappointment awaked me, and I found myself a lonely captive, perishing of thirst amid the wilds of Africa." Those engaged in the siege, while themselves vanishing away, would likewise find their dreams of plunder vanish, and Would bitterly feel the disappointment. That fight against Mount Zion. To attack Jerusalem was to fight against the mount of God, the place where Jehovah had "set his Name, "and where he condescended in some true sense to dwell continually. How could those who engaged in such an enterprise hope to succeed?

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

as when
כַּאֲשֶׁר֩ (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

a hungry man
הָרָעֵ֜ב (hā·rā·‘êḇ)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7457: Hungry

dreams
יַחֲלֹ֨ם (ya·ḥă·lōm)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2492: To bind firmly, to be, plump, to dream

he is eating,
אוֹכֵ֗ל (’ō·w·ḵêl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

then wakes
וְהֵקִיץ֮ (wə·hê·qîṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6974: Arise, be awake, watch

and is still hungry.
וְרֵיקָ֣ה (wə·rê·qāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7386: Empty, worthless

And like
וְכַאֲשֶׁ֨ר (wə·ḵa·’ă·šer)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

a thirsty man
הַצָּמֵא֙ (haṣ·ṣā·mê)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6771: Thirsty

dreams
יַחֲלֹ֤ם (ya·ḥă·lōm)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2492: To bind firmly, to be, plump, to dream

he is drinking,
שֹׁתֶ֔ה (šō·ṯeh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

then awakens
וְהֵקִיץ֙ (wə·hê·qîṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6974: Arise, be awake, watch

faint
עָיֵ֔ף (‘ā·yêp̄)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5889: Faint, weary

and parched,
שׁוֹקֵקָ֑ה (šō·w·qê·qāh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 8264: To course, to seek greedily

so
כֵּ֣ן (kên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

it will be
יִֽהְיֶ֗ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

for all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the many
הֲמוֹן֙ (hă·mō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1995: A noise, tumult, crowd, disquietude, wealth

nations
הַגּוֹיִ֔ם (hag·gō·w·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

who go to battle
הַצֹּבְאִ֖ים (haṣ·ṣō·ḇə·’îm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 6633: To wage war, serve

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Mount
הַ֥ר (har)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

Zion.
צִיּֽוֹן׃ (ṣî·yō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6726: Zion -- a mountain in Jerusalem, also a name for Jerusalem

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OT Prophets: Isaiah 29:8 It will be like when a hungry (Isa Isi Is)