Isaiah 59
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Thy chapter contains a more general reproof of the wickedness of the Jews, Isa 59:1-8. After this they are represented confessing their sins, and deploring the unhappy consequences of them, Isa 59:9-15. On this act of humiliation God, ever ready to pardon the penitent, promises that he will have mercy on them; that the Redeemer will come, mighty to save; and that he will deliver his people, subdue his enemies and establish a new and everlasting covenant, Isa 59:16-21. The foregoing elegant chapter contained a severe reproof of the Jews, in particular for their hypocrisy in pretending to make themselves accepted with God by fasting and outward humiliation without true repentance; while they still continued to oppress the poor, and indulge their own passions and vices; with great promises however of God's favor on condition of their reformation. This chapter contains a more general reproof of their wickedness, bloodshed, violence, falsehood, injustice. At Isa 59:9 they are introduced as making, themselves, an ample confession of their sins, and deploring their wretched state in consequence of them. On this act of humiliation a promise is given that God, in his mercy and zeal for his people, will rescue them from this miserable condition, that the Redeemer will come like a mighty hero to deliver them; he will destroy his enemies, convert both Jews and Gentiles to himself, and give them a new covenant, and a law which shall never be abolished. As this chapter is remarkable for the beauty, strength, and variety of the images with which it abounds; so is it peculiarly distinguished by the elegance of the composition, and the exact construction of the sentences. From the first verse to the two last it falls regularly into stanzas of four lines, (see Prelim. Dissert. p. xxi.),…
Open source ↗THE PEOPLE'S SIN THE CAUSE OF JUDGMENTS: THEY AT LAST OWN IT THEMSELVES: THE REDEEMER'S FUTURE INTERPOSITION IN THEIR EXTREMITY. (Isa. 59:1-21) hand . . . shortened--(See on Isa 50:2). ear heavy-- (Isa 6:10).
Open source ↗Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,.... It is not for want of power in the Lord, that he has not as yet destroyed the enemies of his people, antichrist, and the antichristian states, and saved them out of their hands, and made them to triumph over them; or brought on the glorious state of the church, and fulfilled the promises of good things, suggested in the latter part of the preceding chapter. His hand is as long as ever, and as able to reach his and their enemies in the greatest height of power, or at the greatest distance, and to do every good thing for them; his power is as great as ever, and not in the least abridged or curtailed. Neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: the prayers of his people, their cries unto him on their fast days, of which he seemed to take no notice, complained of Isa 58:3, this is not owing to any want of attention in him, or of readiness to hear prayer made unto him; for he is a God hearing and answering prayer, and is ready to help his people in every time of need, who apply to him in a proper and suitable manner; his eyes are upon them, and his ears are open to their cries. And this is introduced with a "behold", as requiring attention, and deserving the notice and consideration of his people. The Targum is, "behold, not through defect of hand (or power) from the Lord ye are not saved; nor because it is heavy to him to hear, that your prayer is not received.''
Open source ↗This second prophetic address continues the reproachful theme of the first. In the previous prophecy we found the virtues which are well-pleasing to God, and to which He promises redemption as a reward of grace, set in contrast with those false means, upon which the people rested their claim to redemption. In the prophecy before us the sins which retard redemption are still more directly exposed. "Behold, Jehovah's hand is not too short to help, nor His ear too heavy to hear; but your iniquities have become a party-wall between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear." The reason why redemption is delayed, is not that the power of Jehovah has not been sufficient for it (cf., Isa 50:2), or that He has not been aware of their desire for it, but that their iniquities (עונתיכם with the second syllable defective) have become dividers (מבדּלים, defective), have grown into a party-wall between them and their God, and their sins (cf., Jer 5:25) have hidden pânı̄m from them. As the "hand" (yâd) in Isa 28:2 is the absolute hand; so here the "face" pânı̄m) is that face which sees everything, which is everywhere present, whether uncovered or concealed; which diffuses light when it unveils itself, and leaves darkness when it is veiled; the sight of which is blessedness, and not to see which is damnation. This absolute countenance is never to be seen in this life without a veil; but the rejection and abuse of grace make this veil a perfectly impenetrable covering. And Israel had forfeited in this way the light and sight of this countenance of God, and had raised a party-wall between itself and Him, and that משּׁמוע, so that He did not hear, i.e., so that their prayer did not reach Him (Lam 3:44) or bring down an answer from Him.
Open source ↗The prophet here rectifies the mistake of those who had been quarrelling with God because they had not the deliverances wrought for them which they had been often fasting and praying for, Isa 58:3. Now here he shows, I. That it was not owing to God. They had no reason to lay the fault upon him that they were not saved out of the hands of their enemies; for, 1. He was still as able to help as ever: His hand is not shortened, his power is not at all lessened, straitened, or abridged. Whether we consider the extent of his power or the efficacy of it, God can reach as far as ever and with as strong a hand as ever. Note, The church's salvation comes from the hand of God, and that has not waxed weak nor is it at all shortened. Has the Lord's hand waxed short? (says God to Moses, Num 11:23). No, it has not; he will not have it thought so. Neither length of time nor strength of enemies, no, nor weakness of instruments, can shorten or straiten the power of God, with which it is all one to save by many or by few. 2. He was still as ready and willing to help as ever in answer to prayer: His ear is not heavy, that it cannot hear. Though he has many prayers to hear and answer, and though he has been long hearing prayer, yet he is still as ready to hear prayer as ever. The prayer of the upright is as much his delight as ever it was, and the promises which are pleaded and put in suit in prayer are still yea and amen, inviolably sure. More is implied than is expressed; not only his ear is not heavy, but he is quick of hearing. Even before they call he answers, Isa 65:24. If your prayers be not answered, and the salvation we wait for be not wrought for us, it is not because God is weary of hearing prayer, but because we are weary of praying, not because his ear is heavy when we speak to…
Open source ↗59:1-20 The Lord alone can and will usher in his salvation. Like a warrior, he will break into the world to avenge himself on his enemies and to vindicate his holy people. 59:1-8 The people complained that the Lord could not rescue them, but the real problem was that they had not repented (59:20) and were still living in sin. 59:1 not too weak: The delay in their rescue could not be attributed to an inherent weakness in the Lord.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
הֵן (hên, H2005) — lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), קָצַר (qâtsar, H7114) — to dock off, i.e. curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially… יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) כָּבַד (kâbad, H3513) — to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous,… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,…
Open source ↗עָוֺן (ʻâvôn, H5771) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil בָּדַל (bâdal, H914) — to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ,… בֵּין (bêyn, H996) — between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction,… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or… סָתַר (çâthar, H5641) — to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,…
Open source ↗כַּף (kaph, H3709) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of… גָּאַל (gâʼal, H1351) — to soil or (figuratively) desecrate דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… אֶצְבַּע (ʼetsbaʻ, H676) — something to sieze with, i.e. a finger; by analogy, a toe עָוֺן (ʻâvôn, H5771) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial) לָשׁוֹן (lâshôwn, H3956) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or… הָגָה (hâgâh, H1897) — to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder עֶוֶל (ʻevel, H5766) — (moral) evil
Open source ↗קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664) — the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… אֱמוּנָה (ʼĕmûwnâh, H530) — literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity בָּטַח (bâṭach, H982) — figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure תֹּהוּ (tôhûw, H8414) — a desolation (of surface), i.e. desert; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… שָׁוְא (shâvᵉʼ, H7723) — evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively… הָרָה (hârâh, H2029) — to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively) עָמָל (ʻâmâl, H5999) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of body or mind יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… אָוֶן (ʼâven, H205) — strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol
Open source ↗בָּקַע (bâqaʻ, H1234) — to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open צֶפַע (tsephaʻ, H6848) — a viper (as thrusting out the tongue, i.e. hissing) בֵּיצָה (bêytsâh, H1000) — an egg (from its whiteness) אָרַג (ʼârag, H707) — to plait or weave עַכָּבִישׁ (ʻakkâbîysh, H5908) — a spider (as weaving a network) קוּר (qûwr, H6980) — (only plural) trenches, i.e. a web (as if so formed) אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill זוּרֶה (zûwreh, H2116) — trodden on אֶפְעֶה (ʼephʻeh, H660) — an asp or other venomous serpent
Open source ↗קוּר (qûwr, H6980) — (only plural) trenches, i.e. a web (as if so formed) בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… אָוֶן (ʼâven, H205) — strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol פֹּעַל (pôʻal, H6467) — an act or work (concretely) חָמָס (châmâç, H2555) — violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain כַּף (kaph, H3709) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of…
Open source ↗רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda רוּץ (rûwts, H7323) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush) רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) מָהַר (mâhar, H4116) — properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e. (by implication); to hurry (in a good or a… שָׁפַךְ (shâphak, H8210) — to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also… נָקִי (nâqîy, H5355) — innocent דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… מַחֲשָׁבָה (machăshâbâh, H4284) — a contrivance, i.e. (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan… אָוֶן (ʼâven, H205) — strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol שֹׁד (shôd, H7701) — violence, ravage שֶׁבֶר (sheber, H7667) — a fracture, figuratively, ruin; specifically, a solution (of a dream) מְסִלָּה (mᵉçillâh, H4546) — a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a…
Open source ↗דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… מַעְגָּל (maʻgâl, H4570) — a track (literally or figuratively); also a rampart (as circular) עָקַשׁ (ʻâqash, H6140) — to knot or distort; figuratively, to pervert (act or declare perverse) נָתִיב (nâthîyb, H5410) — a (beaten) track דָּרַךְ (dârak, H1869) — to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string abow (by treading on it in bending)
Open source ↗מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… רָחַק (râchaq, H7368) — to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove… צְדָקָה (tsᵉdâqâh, H6666) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue)… נָשַׂג (nâsag, H5381) — to reach (literally or figuratively) קָוָה (qâvâh, H6960) — to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect אוֹר (ʼôwr, H216) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.) חֹשֶׁךְ (chôshek, H2822) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death,… נְגֹהָה (nᵉgôhâh, H5054) — splendor הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) אֲפֵלָה (ʼăphêlâh, H653) — duskiness, figuratively, misfortune; concrete, concealment
Open source ↗גָּשַׁשׁ (gâshash, H1659) — to feel about קִיר (qîyr, H7023) — a wall (as built in a trench) עִוֵּר (ʻivvêr, H5787) — blind (literally or figuratively) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) כָּשַׁל (kâshal, H3782) — to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication,… צֹהַר (tsôhar, H6672) — a light (i.e. window); dual double light, i.e. noon נֶשֶׁף (nesheph, H5399) — properly, a breeze, i.e. (by implication) dusk (when the evening breeze prevails) אַשְׁמָן (ʼashmân, H820) — a fat-field מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗הָמָה (hâmâh, H1993) — to make a loud sound (like English 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or… דֹּב (dôb, H1677) — the bear (as slow) הָגָה (hâgâh, H1897) — to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder יוֹנָה (yôwnâh, H3123) — a dove (apparently from the warmth of their mating) קָוָה (qâvâh, H6960) — to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… יְשׁוּעָה (yᵉshûwʻâh, H3444) — something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity רָחַק (râchaq, H7368) — to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove…
Open source ↗פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ, H6588) — a revolt (national, moral or religious) רָבַב (râbab, H7231) — properly, to cast together , i.e. increase, especially in number; to multiply by the… חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or… עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… עָוֺן (ʻâvôn, H5771) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,…
Open source ↗פָּשַׁע (pâshaʻ, H6586) — to break away (from just authority), i.e. trespass, apostatize, quarrel כָּחַשׁ (kâchash, H3584) — to be untrue, in word (to lie, feign, disown) or deed (to disappoint, fail, cringe) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָסַג (nâçag, H5253) — to retreat אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… עֹשֶׁק (ʻôsheq, H6233) — injury, fraud, (subjectively) distress, (concretely) unjust gain סָרָה (çârâh, H5627) — apostasy, crime; figuratively, remission הָרָה (hârâh, H2029) — to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively) הָגָה (hâgâh, H1897) — to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)
Open source ↗מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… נָסַג (nâçag, H5253) — to retreat אָחוֹר (ʼâchôwr, H268) — the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West צְדָקָה (tsᵉdâqâh, H6666) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue)… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) רָחוֹק (râchôwq, H7350) — remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used… אֶמֶת (ʼemeth, H571) — stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness כָּשַׁל (kâshal, H3782) — to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication,… רְחֹב (rᵉchôb, H7339) — a width, i.e. (concretely) avenue or area נְכֹחָה (nᵉkôchâh, H5229) — properly, straightforwardness, i.e. (figuratively) integrity, or (concretely) a truth יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
“Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!
Why was no one there when I arrived? Why did no one answer when I called? Is My hand too short to redeem you? Or do I lack the strength to deliver you? Behold, My rebuke dries up the sea; I turn the rivers into a desert; the fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.
The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not My word will come to pass.”
Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’
Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry out, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and malicious talk,
Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”
Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.”