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Isaiah 29:8

Mount Zion

6 you will be visited by the LORD of Hosts with thunder and earthquake and loud noise, with windstorm and tempest and consuming flame of fire.

7 All the many nations going out to battle against Ariel— even all who war against her, laying siege and attacking her— will be like a dream, like a vision in the night,

as when a hungry man dreams he is eating, then awakens still hungry; as when a thirsty man dreams he is drinking, then awakens faint and parched. So will it be for all the many nations who go to battle against Mount Zion.

9 Stop and be astonished; blind yourselves and be sightless; be drunk, but not with wine; stagger, but not from strong drink.

10 For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers.

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This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
as when a hungry man dreams he is eating, then awakens still hungry; as when a thirsty man dreams he is drinking, then awakens faint and parched. So will it be for all the many nations who go to battle against Mount Zion.
KJV
It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.
WEB
It will be like when a hungry man dreams, and behold, he eats; but he awakes, and his hunger isn’t satisfied; or like when a thirsty man dreams, and behold, he drinks; but he awakes, and behold, he is faint, and he is still thirsty. The multitude of all the nations that fight against Mount Zion will be like that.
ASV
And it shall be as when a hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.
DARBY
It shall even be as when the hungry dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; and he awaketh, and his soul is empty; or as when the thirsty dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; and he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul craveth: so shall the multitude of all the nations be that war against mount Zion.
BLB
And it will be as when the hungry one dreams and behold, he is eating, and he awakens, and his soul [is] empty; or as when the thirsty one dreams and behold, he is drinking, and he awakens, and behold, [he is] faint and his soul is [still] running about. So will be the multitude of the all nations coming out against Mount Zion.
ÅB
Og det skal gå som når den sultne drømmer og synes han spiser, men når han våkner, da er han tom, og som når den tørste drømmer og synes han drikker, men når han våkner, se, da er han matt, og hans sjel blir maktløs; slik skal det gå alle de mange hedningefolk som strider mot Sions berg.
OTB
Det vil være som når en sulten person drømmer om å spise, men våkner opp sulten, eller når en tørst person drømmer om å drikke, men våkner opp matt og tørst. Slik skal det være med mengden av alle nasjonene som kjemper mot Sions berg.
B1930
Og det skal gå som når den sultne drømmer og synes han eter, men når han våkner, da er han tom, og som når den tørste drømmer og synes han drikker, men når han våkner, se, da er han matt, og hans sjel blir maktløs; således skal det gå alle de mange hedningefolk som strider mot Sions berg.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Isaiah 44:12

    The blacksmith takes a tool and labors over the coals; he fashions an idol with hammers and forges it with his strong arms. Yet he grows hungry and loses his strength; he fails to drink water and grows faint.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 73:20

    Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 10:7–16

    But this is not his intention; this is not his plan. For it is in his heart to destroy and cut off many nations.

    Read in context

  • 2 Chronicles 32:21

    and the LORD sent an angel who annihilated every mighty man of valor and every leader and commander in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he entered the temple of his god, some of his own sons struck him down with the sword.

    Read in context