Isaiah 29:20 Meaning and Explanation
“For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Tyrants, mockers, and those who seek evil will be completely destroyed.
The Context of Isaiah 29:20
All instruments of oppression, mockery, and injustice will be removed in God's judgment.
What Does Isaiah 29:20 Mean?
The 'terrible one' refers to oppressive rulers and their agents. The 'scorner' is one who mocks God and His word—evident in Jerusalem's rejection of the prophets. Those who 'watch for iniquity' are spies and informants, the machinery of oppression, constantly seeking ways to harm the righteous. All of these are 'cut off'—removed entirely.
This verse clarifies the scope of judgment: it falls not just on general faithlessness but on specific categories of sin. The oppressor, the mocker, the conspiracy—these are the agents of Jerusalem's rebellion and the instruments of its self-deception. Their removal is prerequisite to the restoration of justice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 29:20
What does Isaiah 29:20 mean?
Tyrants, mockers, and those who seek evil will be completely destroyed.
What is the context of Isaiah 29:20?
All instruments of oppression, mockery, and injustice will be removed in God's judgment.