King James Version

What Does Isaiah 26:20 Mean?

Isaiah 26:20 in the King James Version says “Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little momen...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.”

Isaiah 26:20 · KJV

Context

18

We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.

19

Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

20

Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

21

For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. blood: Heb. bloods

Read Isaiah 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee (לֵךְ עַמִּי בֹּא בַחֲדָרֶיךָ וּסְגֹר דְּלָתְךָ בַּעֲדֶךָ / lekh ammi bo vachadarekha usegor delatekha ba'adekha)—The tender address עַמִּי (ammi, "my people") recalls Hosea 2:23's covenant restoration. חֶדֶר (cheder, "inner chamber, room") suggests intimate refuge, private sanctuary. This echoes the Passover (Exodus 12:22-23) where Israelites sheltered indoors while judgment passed over. It also anticipates Jesus's instruction for private prayer (Matthew 6:6).

Hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast (חֲבִי כִמְעַט־רֶגַע עַד־יַעֲבֹר זָעַם / chavi khim'at-rega ad-ya'avor za'am)—The verb חָבָא (chava, "to hide, conceal") indicates protective concealment, not fearful cowering. כִמְעַט־רֶגַע (khim'at-rega, "a little moment") relativizes suffering's duration compared to eternity. זַעַם (za'am, "indignation, wrath") describes God's judicial anger against sin. Believers are hidden FROM judgment, not IN judgment—Christ bore God's wrath so we find refuge in Him.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse bridges Isaiah 26's resurrection hope (v. 19) with chapter 27's ultimate judgment and restoration. It provided comfort during Babylonian exile: though judgment falls on the earth, God's people find refuge in Him. The 'little moment' perspective helps endure suffering (2 Corinthians 4:17). The New Testament develops this theme: believers are hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3), sealed until redemption (Ephesians 4:30), kept from the hour of trial (Revelation 3:10). Whether this means pre-tribulation rapture or divine preservation through tribulation remains debated, but the core promise stands—God protects His people.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to 'enter into thy chambers' and find refuge in God during times of judgment and upheaval?
  2. How does viewing suffering as 'a little moment' compared to eternity provide perspective during long trials?
  3. In what ways does Christ serve as our 'inner chamber' where we hide from God's wrath against sin?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
לֵ֤ךְ1 of 13
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

עַמִּי֙2 of 13

“my people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

בֹּ֣א3 of 13

“enter”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בַחֲדָרֶ֔יךָ4 of 13

“thou into thy chambers”

H2315

an apartment (usually literal)

וּֽסְגֹ֥ר5 of 13

“and shut”

H5462

to shut up; figuratively, to surrender

דְּלָתְיךָ֖6 of 13

“thy doors”

H1817

something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door

בַּעֲדֶ֑ךָ7 of 13
H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

חֲבִ֥י8 of 13

“about thee hide”

H2247

to secrete

כִמְעַט9 of 13

“thyself as it were for a little”

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

רֶ֖גַע10 of 13

“moment”

H7281

a wink (of the eyes), i.e., a very short space of time

עַד11 of 13
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

יַעֲבָור12 of 13

“be overpast”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

זָֽעַם׃13 of 13

“until the indignation”

H2195

strictly froth at the mouth, i.e., (figuratively) fury (especially of god's displeasure with sin)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 26:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 26:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 30:5Psalms 27:5Isaiah 54:7-8Matthew 6:6Psalms 91:4Proverbs 18:10

Test Your Knowledge

Isaiah 26 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterIsaiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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