Old Testament
Isaiah 30:22
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Then you will defile the covering of your carved images of silver and the ornament of your molten images of gold. You will throw them away like a menstruous cloth and say to them, 'Get out of here!'
Compare translations
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.
What Isaiah 30:22 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God is speaking about the future actions of His people when they realize the futility of their idols. The imagery of defiling and discarding their silver and gold idols, comparing them to a menstruous cloth, emphasizes the complete rejection and disgust they will feel towards these false gods. This act symbolizes a turning away from idolatry and a return to true worship of God. The people will no longer hold onto these objects that once represented their misplaced trust and will instead express their disdain for them, indicating a significant spiritual transformation. This verse highlights the importance of recognizing what is truly valuable and worthy of devotion, contrasting it with the emptiness of material idols that cannot save or provide true fulfillment.
How to apply Isaiah 30:22 to your life
This verse encourages us to examine our own lives for anything that takes the place of God. Just as the people will reject their idols, we should identify and discard anything that distracts us from our relationship with God. Prioritizing faith over materialism leads to true fulfillment.
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 David's story: Samuel Anoints David (1 Samuel 16:1–13)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
David
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002724987). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Hebron, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. 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.
Hebron
Where Abraham lived and buried Sarah, and where David was first made king.
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 30:22
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 30:22
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 30:22 mean?
Isaiah 30:22 describes a future time when God's people will reject their idols made of silver and gold, viewing them with disgust. This verse symbolizes a significant spiritual transformation as they turn away from false gods and return to true worship of God.
What is the significance of idols in Isaiah 30:22?
In Isaiah 30:22, idols represent misplaced trust and the futility of relying on material objects for fulfillment. The verse emphasizes the need to discard these false gods in favor of a genuine relationship with God.
What does the phrase 'menstruous cloth' mean in Isaiah 30:22?
The phrase 'menstruous cloth' in Isaiah 30:22 is used to illustrate the disgust and rejection the people will feel towards their idols. It signifies that they will see these objects as unclean and worthless, prompting them to cast them away.
How does Isaiah 30:22 relate to spiritual transformation?
Isaiah 30:22 highlights spiritual transformation by showing how the people will move from idolatry to true worship. Their rejection of idols signifies a deeper understanding of what is truly valuable and worthy of devotion.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.