Old Testament
Isaiah 26:20
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Come, my people, go into your rooms and shut the doors behind you. Hide yourselves for just a little while until the fury has passed.
Compare translations
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.
What Isaiah 26:20 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Isaiah 26:20, God is instructing His people to seek refuge during a time of impending judgment or trouble. The imagery of going into rooms and shutting doors symbolizes a call to safety and protection from the chaos outside. This verse emphasizes the importance of finding a place of security and peace amidst turmoil. The phrase 'for just a little while' suggests that this period of hiding is temporary, indicating that the distress will eventually pass. The 'fury' or 'indignation' refers to God's righteous anger against sin and injustice. This passage reassures believers that even in difficult times, there is a promise of deliverance and hope. It encourages them to trust in God’s timing and to remain steadfast in their faith while waiting for His intervention.
How to apply Isaiah 26:20 to your life
In times of trouble, it is essential to find a safe space, both physically and spiritually. This could mean taking time for prayer, reflection, or seeking community support. Trusting in God's protection can provide peace during challenging moments, reminding us that difficulties are often temporary.
Curated for this public verse page. Isaiah Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Esther's story: Esther Becomes Queen (Esther 2:1–18)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Esther
Photo: Deror Avi, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source. Location: Tel Shiloh archaeological site, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Shiloh
Where Israel set up the tabernacle, and where God called the boy Samuel.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Isaiah 26:20
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Isaiah 26:20
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Isaiah
- Author
- Isaiah the prophet
- Written
- Around 700 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah and the surrounding nations
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Isaiah 26:20 mean?
Isaiah 26:20 conveys God's instruction to His people to seek safety during a time of judgment. It emphasizes the need for protection and reassures that the period of distress will be temporary.
What is the significance of 'shut the doors' in Isaiah 26:20?
The phrase 'shut the doors' symbolizes a call to find safety and refuge from external chaos. It represents the importance of seeking a secure place during times of trouble.
What does 'for just a little while' imply in Isaiah 26:20?
The phrase 'for just a little while' suggests that the time of hiding and distress is temporary, indicating that God's judgment or anger will eventually pass.
What themes are present in Isaiah 26:20?
Key themes in Isaiah 26:20 include divine protection, judgment, faith, safety, hope, and the idea of temporary trials that believers may face.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.