King James Version

What Does Isaiah 30:22 Mean?

Isaiah 30:22 in the King James Version says “Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou sh...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence. thy graven: Heb. the graven images of thy silver cast: Heb. scatter”

Isaiah 30:22 · KJV

Context

20

And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: affliction: or, oppression

21

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

22

Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence. thy graven: Heb. the graven images of thy silver cast: Heb. scatter

23

Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.

24

The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan. clean: or, savoury: Heb. leavened

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold (וְטִמֵּאתֶם אֶת־צִפּוּי פְסִילֵי כַסְפֶּךָ וְאֶת־אֲפֻדַּת מַסֵּכַת זְהָבֶךָ)—This verse describes radical repentance through idol destruction. The verb timme'tem (defile, make unclean) indicates treating as ritually impure what was once treasured. Covering (tsippuy) and ornament (afudat) refer to silver and gold plating on idols. Thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth—The comparison to davah (menstruous cloth/woman) shocks with its revulsion. What was once beautiful and valuable now disgusts like the most unclean thing in Levitical law.

Thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence (צֵא תֹּאמַר לוֹ)—The command tse (get out!) is direct address, personifying the idol to emphasize its expulsion. This represents the fruit of God's judgment and restoration (vv. 18-21): when people truly encounter God, idols lose all appeal. Not gradual reform but sudden revulsion. The language mirrors Hezekiah's purge (2 Kings 18:4) and anticipates Josiah's reforms (2 Kings 23). True revival doesn't gently phase out idols; it violently expels them. Jesus's cleansing the temple (John 2:13-17) and Paul's confrontation at Ephesus (Acts 19:19) follow this pattern—decisive, costly rejection of what once was prized.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Judah under Ahaz and early Hezekiah struggled with syncretism—worshiping Yahweh while maintaining idols for political alliances and cultural conformity. Expensive idols (silver and gold) represented both religious apostasy and economic investment. Destroying them meant financial loss and social stigma. Isaiah prophesies that genuine repentance costs, but renewed relationship with God makes the cost worthwhile.

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern 'idols' do Christians prize (career, image, comfort) that true encounter with God would make us cast away with revulsion?
  2. Why does the menstrual cloth comparison shock—and what does this extreme language reveal about God's view of idolatry?
  3. How does gradual reformation differ from the radical repentance described here—and which does the gospel produce?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְטִמֵּאתֶ֗ם1 of 15

“Ye shall defile”

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

אֶת2 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

צִפּוּי֙3 of 15

“also the covering”

H6826

encasement (with metal)

פְּסִילֵ֣י4 of 15

“of thy graven images”

H6456

an idol

כַסְפֶּ֔ךָ5 of 15

“of silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וְאֶת6 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲפֻדַּ֖ת7 of 15

“and the ornament”

H642

a girding on (of the ephod); hence, generally, a plating (of metal)

מַסֵּכַ֣ת8 of 15

“of thy molten images”

H4541

properly, a pouring over, i.e., fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication, a libation, i.e., league; concretely a coverlet (as if pour

זְהָבֶ֑ךָ9 of 15

“of gold”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

תִּזְרֵם֙10 of 15

“thou shalt cast them away”

H2219

to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow

כְּמ֣וֹ11 of 15
H3644

as, thus, so

דָוָ֔ה12 of 15

“as a menstruous cloth”

H1739

sick (especially in menstruation)

צֵ֖א13 of 15

“unto it Get thee hence”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

תֹּ֥אמַר14 of 15

“thou shalt say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֽוֹ׃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 30:22 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 30:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 17:3-4Isaiah 31:7Zechariah 13:2Isaiah 46:6Isaiah 2:20-21Hosea 14:8

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