Isaiah 63:18

18 1Your holy people held possession for a little while;[a] 2our adversaries have trampled down your sanctuary.

Isaiah 63:18 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 63:18

The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little
while
Either the land of Canaan, which the Jews, the Lord's holy people, whom he had separated from others, possessed about fourteen hundred years, which was but a little while in comparison of "for ever", as was promised; or they enjoyed it but a little while in peace and quiet, being often disturbed by their neighbours; or else the sanctuary, the temple, as it is to be supplied from the next clause, which stood but little more than four hundred years: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary;
the temple; the first temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar; and the second temple by the Romans; and Antiochus, and Pompey, and others, profaned it, by treading in it.

Isaiah 63:18 In-Context

16 For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.
17 O LORD, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our heart, so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage.
18 Your holy people held possession for a little while; our adversaries have trampled down your sanctuary.
19 We have become like those over whom you have never ruled, like those who are not called by your name.

Cross References 2

  • 1. [Deuteronomy 4:25, 26]
  • 2. Isaiah 64:11

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or They have dispossessed your holy people for a little while
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.