Bible Strands
Isaiah 29:20
For the ruthless will vanish, the mockers will disappear, and all who look for evil will be cut down—
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The prophet addresses the community in Jerusalem, placing this declaration between a promise of joy for the humble and a condemnation of those who pervert justice at the gate.
The words — The Hebrew אָפֵס ('a.Fes) and לֵץ (Letz) describe the ruthless coming to an end and the mocker disappearing, while שֹׁקְדֵי (Sho.ke.dei) identifies those lying in wait for evil.
The thread — The downfall of the wicked plots evil runs through Micah 2:1, which condemns those who devise iniquity on their beds, and Isaiah 28:14, which warns scoffers who rule Jerusalem.
Why it lands — The text states that those who plot harm and distort justice will face termination, demanding the reader acknowledge that divine judgment targets the architects of iniquity.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off:
Cross-references
- Micah 2:1 Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands.
- Isaiah 28:14 Therefore hear the word of the LORD, O scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem.
- Isaiah 13:3 I have commanded My sanctified ones; I have even summoned My warriors to execute My wrath and exult in My triumph.
- Isaiah 29:5 But your many foes will be like fine dust, the multitude of the ruthless like blowing chaff. Then suddenly, in an instant,
- Isaiah 59:4 No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case honestly. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.
- Luke 16:14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus.
- Isaiah 25:4 For You have been a refuge for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like rain against a wall,
- Isaiah 49:25 Indeed, this is what the LORD says: “Even the captives of the mighty will be taken away, and the plunder of the tyrant will be retrieved; I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children.
- Isaiah 51:13 But you have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. You live in terror all day long because of the fury of the oppressor who is bent on destruction. But where is the fury of the oppressor?
- Daniel 7:7 After this, as I watched in my vision in the night, suddenly a fourth beast appeared, and it was terrifying—dreadful and extremely strong—with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed; then it trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had ten horns.