Isaiah 30:28
New International Version
His breath is like a rushing torrent, rising up to the neck. He shakes the nations in the sieve of destruction; he places in the jaws of the peoples a bit that leads them astray.

New Living Translation
His hot breath pours out like a flood up to the neck of his enemies. He will sift out the proud nations for destruction. He will bridle them and lead them away to ruin.

English Standard Version
his breath is like an overflowing stream that reaches up to the neck; to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction, and to place on the jaws of the peoples a bridle that leads astray.

Berean Standard Bible
His breath is like a rushing torrent that rises to the neck. He comes to sift the nations in a sieve of destruction; He bridles the jaws of the peoples to lead them astray.

King James Bible
And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.

New King James Version
His breath is like an overflowing stream, Which reaches up to the neck, To sift the nations with the sieve of futility; And there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, Causing them to err.

New American Standard Bible
His breath is like an overflowing river, Which reaches to the neck, To shake the nations back and forth in a sieve, And to put in the jaws of the peoples the bridle which leads astray.

NASB 1995
His breath is like an overflowing torrent, Which reaches to the neck, To shake the nations back and forth in a sieve, And to put in the jaws of the peoples the bridle which leads to ruin.

NASB 1977
And His breath is like an overflowing torrent, Which reaches to the neck, To shake the nations back and forth in a sieve, And to put in the jaws of the peoples the bridle which leads to ruin.

Legacy Standard Bible
His breath is like an overflowing torrent, Which reaches to the neck, To shake the nations back and forth in a sieve of worthlessness, And to put in the jaws of the peoples the bridle which staggers one to ruin.

Amplified Bible
His breath is like an overflowing river, Which reaches to the neck, To sift the nations back and forth in a sieve [of disaster], And to put in the jaws of the peoples the bridle which leads to ruin.

Christian Standard Bible
His breath is like an overflowing torrent that rises to the neck. He comes to sift the nations in a sieve of destruction and to put a bridle on the jaws of the peoples to lead them astray.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
His breath is like an overflowing torrent that rises to the neck. He comes to sift the nations in a sieve of destruction and to put a bridle on the jaws of the peoples to lead them astray.

American Standard Version
and his breath is as an overflowing stream, that reacheth even unto the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction: and a bridle that causeth to err shall be in the jaws of the peoples.

Contemporary English Version
he breathes out a flood that comes up to the neck. He sifts the nations and destroys them. Then he puts a bridle in every foreigner's mouth and leads them to doom.

English Revised Version
and his breath is as an overflowing stream, that reacheth even unto the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and a bridle that causeth to err shall be in the jaws of the peoples.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
His breath is like an overflowing stream. It rises neck high, sifting the nations with a sieve of destruction, placing a bit in the mouths of the people to lead them astray.

Good News Translation
He sends the wind in front of him like a flood that carries everything away. It sweeps nations to destruction and puts an end to their evil plans.

International Standard Version
His breath is like an overflowing torrent, and it rises right up to the neck, to shake the nations in the sieve of destruction, and to place in the jaws of the peoples a bit that leads them astray.

Majority Standard Bible
His breath is like a rushing torrent that rises to the neck. He comes to sift the nations in a sieve of destruction; He bridles the jaws of the peoples to lead them astray.

NET Bible
His battle cry overwhelms like a flooding river that reaches one's neck. He shakes the nations in a sieve that isolates the chaff; he puts a bit into the mouth of the nations and leads them to destruction.

New Heart English Bible
His breath is as an overflowing stream that reaches even to the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction; and a bridle that leads to ruin will be in the jaws of the peoples.

Webster's Bible Translation
And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.

World English Bible
His breath is as an overflowing stream that reaches even to the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction. A bridle that leads to ruin will be in the jaws of the peoples.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And His breath [is] as an overflowing stream, "" It divides to the neck, "" To sift nations with a sieve of vanity, "" And a bridle causing to err, "" [Is] on the jaws of the peoples.

Young's Literal Translation
And His breath is as an overflowing stream, Unto the neck it divideth, To sift nations with a sieve of vanity, And a bridle causing to err, Is on the jaws of the peoples.

Smith's Literal Translation
And his spirit as the torrent overflowing, shall divide even to the neck, to shake the nations in the sieve of ruin: and a curb upon the cheeks of the people, causing to err.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
His breath as a torrent overflowing even to the midst of the neck, to destroy the nations unto nothing, and the bridle of error that was in the jaws of the people.

Catholic Public Domain Version
His Spirit is like a torrent, inundating, even as high as the middle of the neck, in order to reduce the nations to nothing, along with the bridle of error that was in the jaws of the people.

New American Bible
Breath like an overflowing torrent that reaches up to the neck! He will winnow the nations with a destructive winnowing and bridle the jaws of the peoples to send them astray.

New Revised Standard Version
his breath is like an overflowing stream that reaches up to the neck— to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction, and to place on the jaws of the peoples a bridle that leads them astray.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And his breath as an overflowing torrent shall reach up to the neck to confuse the nations because of their erring vanity, and because of the bridle which is in the jaws of the nations, which causes them to err.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And his Spirit that overflows like a torrent unto the neck will cut off the troubling of the nations, because of their error of emptiness, and to the misleading bridle that is on the jaws of the Gentiles
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And His breath is as an overflowing stream, That divideth even unto the neck, To sift the nations with the sieve of destruction; And a bridle that causeth to err shall be in the jaws of the peoples.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And his breath, as rushing water in a valley, shall reach as far as the neck, and be divided, to confound the nations for their vain error: error also shall pursue them, and overtake them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Mercies
27Behold, the Name of the LORD comes from afar, with burning anger and dense smoke. His lips are full of fury, and His tongue is like a consuming fire. 28His breath is like a rushing torrent that rises to the neck. He comes to sift the nations in a sieve of destruction; He bridles the jaws of the peoples to lead them astray. 29You will sing as on the night of a holy festival, and your heart will rejoice like one who walks to the music of a flute, going up to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 23:19-20
Behold, the storm of the LORD has gone out with fury, a whirlwind swirling down upon the heads of the wicked. / The anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has fully accomplished the purposes of His heart. In the days to come you will understand this clearly.

Nahum 1:3-6
The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet. / He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts. / The mountains quake before Him, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles at His presence—the world and all its dwellers. ...

Psalm 18:7-15
Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled; they were shaken because He burned with anger. / Smoke rose from His nostrils, and consuming fire came from His mouth; glowing coals blazed forth. / He parted the heavens and came down with dark clouds beneath His feet. ...

Revelation 19:15
And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

Ezekiel 38:22
I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed. I will pour out torrents of rain, hailstones, fire, and sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him.

Job 21:18
Are they like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a storm?

Psalm 83:13-15
Make them like tumbleweed, O my God, like chaff before the wind. / As fire consumes a forest, as a flame sets the mountains ablaze, / so pursue them with Your tempest, and terrify them with Your storm.

Isaiah 66:15-16
For behold, the LORD will come with fire—His chariots are like a whirlwind—to execute His anger with fury and His rebuke with flames of fire. / For by fire and by His sword, the LORD will execute judgment on all flesh, and many will be slain by the LORD.

Jeremiah 25:32-33
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold! Disaster is spreading from nation to nation; a mighty storm is rising from the ends of the earth.” / Those slain by the LORD on that day will be spread from one end of the earth to the other. They will not be mourned, gathered, or buried. They will be like dung lying on the ground.

Daniel 7:10
A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened.

Revelation 14:19-20
So the angel swung his sickle over the earth and gathered the grapes of the earth, and he threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath. / And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and the blood that flowed from it rose as high as the bridles of the horses for a distance of 1,600 stadia.

Psalm 11:6
On the wicked He will rain down fiery coals and sulfur; a scorching wind will be their portion.

Isaiah 5:28
Their arrows are sharpened, and all their bows are strung. The hooves of their horses are like flint; their chariot wheels are like a whirlwind.

Lamentations 2:2-4
Without pity the Lord has swallowed up all the dwellings of Jacob. In His wrath He has demolished the fortified cities of the Daughter of Judah. He brought to the ground and defiled her kingdom and its princes. / In fierce anger He has cut off every horn of Israel and withdrawn His right hand at the approach of the enemy. He has burned in Jacob like a flaming fire that consumes everything around it. / He has bent His bow like an enemy; His right hand is positioned. Like a foe He has killed all who were pleasing to the eye; He has poured out His wrath like fire on the tent of the Daughter of Zion.

Matthew 3:12
His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”


Treasury of Scripture

And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the middle of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.

his breath

Isaiah 11:4
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

Psalm 18:15
Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

Luke 22:31
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

an overflowing

Isaiah 8:8
And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.

Isaiah 28:17,18
Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place…

Isaiah 29:6
Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.

to sift.

Isaiah 19:12,14
Where are they? where are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt…

Isaiah 33:10-12
Now will I rise, saith the LORD; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself…

Hosea 13:3
Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

a bridle

Isaiah 37:29
Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

2 Kings 19:28
Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

Psalm 32:9
Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

causing

Isaiah 19:3,13,14
And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards…

2 Samuel 17:14
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.

1 Kings 22:20-22
And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner…

Jump to Previous
Astray Bit Breath Bridle Causeth Causing Cord Destruction Divideth Err Forth Grain Jaws Leads Midst Nations Neck Overflowing Peoples Places Reach Reaches Rising Ruin Rushing Shake Shakes Shaking Sieve Sift Stream Torrent Turning Vanity Way
Jump to Next
Astray Bit Breath Bridle Causeth Causing Cord Destruction Divideth Err Forth Grain Jaws Leads Midst Nations Neck Overflowing Peoples Places Reach Reaches Rising Ruin Rushing Shake Shakes Shaking Sieve Sift Stream Torrent Turning Vanity Way
Isaiah 30
1. The prophet threatens the people for their confidence in Egypt
8. And contempt of God's word
18. God's mercies toward his church
27. God's wrath and the people's joy, in the destruction of Assyria














His breath
The Hebrew word for "breath" here is "רוּחַ" (ruach), which can also mean spirit or wind. In the context of Isaiah, it often signifies the powerful and active presence of God. This imagery conveys the overwhelming and irresistible force of God's judgment. The breath of God is not just a gentle breeze but a mighty force that can bring about change and transformation, emphasizing His sovereignty and power over creation.

like an overflowing torrent
The phrase "overflowing torrent" uses the imagery of a flood, which in ancient Near Eastern culture often symbolized chaos and destruction. The Hebrew word "נַחַל" (nachal) refers to a torrent or stream that can become a raging flood. This metaphor highlights the unstoppable and consuming nature of God's judgment, which sweeps away all in its path, leaving nothing untouched.

that rises to the neck
This phrase suggests imminent danger and the inescapability of God's judgment. The imagery of water rising to the neck indicates a situation where one is almost overwhelmed, with little room for escape. It serves as a warning to the nations and individuals who oppose God's will, illustrating the seriousness of their predicament.

to sift the nations
The act of sifting involves separating the valuable from the worthless, often using a sieve. The Hebrew word "נָפָה" (naphah) implies a process of examination and judgment. In this context, God is portrayed as the divine judge who discerns the hearts and actions of nations, separating those who are righteous from those who are not. This reflects the biblical theme of God's justice and His ability to see beyond outward appearances.

with a sieve of destruction
The "sieve of destruction" suggests a tool used for judgment that results in the downfall of the wicked. The Hebrew word for destruction, "שָׁוְא" (shav), can also mean emptiness or vanity. This indicates that those who are found wanting in God's judgment will face ruin and desolation. It underscores the futility of opposing God's will and the ultimate triumph of His justice.

to place the jaws of the peoples a bit
The imagery of placing a bit in the jaws is reminiscent of controlling a horse. The Hebrew word "מֶתֶג" (meteg) refers to a bridle or bit used to direct and control. This metaphor illustrates God's authority over the nations, guiding them according to His purposes, even when they are unaware or resistant. It emphasizes God's sovereignty and the futility of human rebellion against His divine plan.

that leads them astray
The phrase "leads them astray" suggests a divine allowance for the nations to follow their own misguided paths as part of their judgment. The Hebrew word "תָּעָה" (ta'ah) means to wander or err. This reflects the biblical theme of God allowing individuals and nations to experience the consequences of their choices, ultimately leading them to recognize their need for Him. It serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning with God's will to avoid the pitfalls of self-reliance and disobedience.

(28) His breath, as an overflowing stream.--Water supplies its symbolism, as well as fire. The wrath of the judge sweeps onward like an autumn torrent, threatening to engulf all that stand in its way.

To sift the nations with the sieve of vanity.--Better, the winnowing fan of nothingness. Sifting is, as elsewhere, the symbol of judgment (so Osiris appears in Egyptian monuments armed with a flail, as the judge of the dead; Cheyne), and the "fan" in this case is one which threatens to annihilate the guilty.

A bridle in the jaws of the people.--The words find a parallel in Isaiah 37:29. The enemies of Jehovah should find themselves under a constraining power, leading them on against their will to their own destruction. Quem Deus vult perdere, prius dementat.

Verse 28. - His breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck. When the sacred writers are oppressed by the tremendous character of the revelations made to them, their metaphors are often labored and incongruous. Here, the mouth, in which there is a tongue of fire, sends forth a rush of breath, which is compared to an "overflowing stream, which reaches to the middle of the neck, "and sweeps those who try to cross it away (comp. Ezekiel 47:5) To sift the nations with the sieve of vanity. More incongruity, to be excused by the writer's theme being such as to transcend all language and all imagery. One of the Divine purposes, in all violent crashes and revolutions, is "to sift nations" - to separate in each nation the good from the bad, the precious from the vile; and this is done with "the sieve of vanity," i.e. the sieve which allows the good corn to pass through, separating from it, and keeping back, all that is vile and refuse (comp. Amos 9:9). There shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err. Another entire change in the metaphor. The result of God's interference shall be "to put a bridle in the jaws of the peoples," whereby the hand of the Almighty will guide them to their destruction.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
His breath
וְרוּח֞וֹ (wə·rū·ḥōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

is like a rushing
שׁוֹטֵף֙ (šō·w·ṭêp̄)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7857: To gush, to inundate, cleanse, to gallop, conquer

torrent
כְּנַ֤חַל (kə·na·ḥal)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5158: A stream, a winter torrent, a, valley, a shaft

that rises
יֶֽחֱצֶ֔ה (ye·ḥĕ·ṣeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2673: To cut, split in two, to halve

to
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the neck.
צַוָּ֣אר (ṣaw·wār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6677: The back of the neck

He comes to sift
לַהֲנָפָ֥ה (la·hă·nā·p̄āh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5130: To move to and fro, wave, sprinkle

the nations
גוֹיִ֖ם (ḡō·w·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

in a sieve
בְּנָ֣פַת (bə·nā·p̄aṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5299: A height, a sieve

of destruction;
שָׁ֑וְא (šāw)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7723: Evil, idolatry, uselessness

He bridles
וְרֶ֣סֶן (wə·re·sen)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7448: A halter, the jaw

the jaws
לְחָיֵ֥י (lə·ḥā·yê)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 3895: The cheek, the jaw-bone

of the peoples
עַמִּֽים׃ (‘am·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

to lead them astray.
מַתְעֶ֔ה (maṯ·‘eh)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8582: To vacillate, reel, stray


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 30:28 His breath is as an overflowing stream (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 30:27
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