Isaiah 63:18

18 They have possessed thy holy people as nothing: our enemies have trodden down thy 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 thou art our father, and Abraham hath not known us, and Israel hath been ignorant of us: thou, O Lord, art our father, our redeemer, from everlasting is thy name.

17 Why hast thou made us to err, O Lord, from thy ways: why hast thou hardened our heart, that we should not fear thee? return for the sake of thy servants, the tribes of thy inheritance.

18 They have possessed thy holy people as nothing: our enemies have trodden down thy sanctuary.

19 We are become as in the beginning, when thou didst not rule over us, and when we were not called by thy name.