King James Version

What Does Isaiah 29:7 Mean?

Isaiah 29:7 in the King James Version says “And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and tha... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.

Isaiah 29:7 · KJV


Context

5

Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly.

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.

7

And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.

8

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.

9

Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. cry ye: or, take your pleasure, and riot


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel (וְהָיָה כַּחֲלוֹם חֲזוֹן לַיְלָה הֲמוֹן כָּל־הַגּוֹיִם הַצֹּבְאִים עַל־אֲרִיאֵל, vehayah kachalom chazon laylah hamon kol-hagoyim hatsobim al-Ariel)—the attacking nations will become as a dream of a night vision. The phrase employs two words for visionary experience: חֲלוֹם (chalom, dream) and חָזוֹן (chazon, vision). Even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her (וְכָל־צֹבֶיהָ וּמְצֹדָתָהּ וְהַמְּצִיקִים לָהּ, vekhol-tsoveha umtsodatah vehametsiqim lah)—the comprehensive listing (all who war, all siegeworks, all who press her) emphasizes totality.

The dream metaphor is devastating: Sennacherib's vast army—real, threatening, deadly—will vanish like a nightmare dissolves at dawn. History's mightiest military force becomes insubstantial as nocturnal hallucination. What seemed overwhelmingly real proves ephemeral when God acts. The besiegers' power is exposed as illusory against Yahweh's sovereignty.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Sennacherib invaded Judah with a massive army, conquering 46 fortified cities (per his own annals) and trapping Hezekiah in Jerusalem 'like a bird in a cage.' Yet Jerusalem wasn't captured. The Assyrian army's sudden destruction meant this overwhelming military reality evaporated like a dream—precisely as Isaiah prophesied.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'overwhelming realities' in your life might God reveal as mere 'dreams' when He intervenes?
  2. How does this metaphor challenge our tendency to view human power as ultimate?
  3. When have you experienced an intimidating circumstance dissolve 'like a dream' through prayer?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְהָיָ֗ה1 of 15
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כַּֽחֲלוֹם֙2 of 15

her shall be as a dream

H2472

a dream

חֲז֣וֹן3 of 15

vision

H2377

a sight (mentally), i.e., a dream, revelation, or oracle

לַ֔יְלָה4 of 15

of a night

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

הֲמוֹן֙5 of 15

And the multitude

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

כָּל6 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַגּוֹיִ֔ם7 of 15

of all the nations

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

צֹבֶ֙יהָ֙8 of 15

that fight

H6633

to mass (an army or servants)

עַל9 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֲרִיאֵ֑ל10 of 15

against Ariel

H740

ariel, a symbolical name for jerusalem, also the name of an israelite

וְכָל11 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

צֹבֶ֙יהָ֙12 of 15

that fight

H6633

to mass (an army or servants)

וּמְצֹ֣דָתָ֔הּ13 of 15

against her and her munition

H4685

a fastness or (beseiging) tower

וְהַמְּצִיקִ֖ים14 of 15

and that distress

H6693

to compress, i.e., (figuratively) oppress, distress

לָֽהּ׃15 of 15
H0

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 29:7 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 29:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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