ScriptureDepth's study of Isaiah 59
“Behold, Yahweh’s hand is not shortened, that it can’t save; nor his ear dull, that it can’t hear.”
Isaiah 59:1
Yahweh speaks through the prophet Isaiah to Israel, settling that His ability to save is not limited despite their iniquities, which have caused separation.
What Isaiah 59 is about
Yahweh’s hand is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear (vv. 1-2). The people's iniquities have caused a divide between them and God. Their hands are defiled with blood, and they speak lies (vv. 3-4). There is no one who seeks justice or truth. They engage in wickedness and violence (vv. 5-8). Because of this, justice is far from them. They live in darkness and despair, searching for justice and salvation that seems distant (vv. 9-11). They recognize their many transgressions and acknowledge their sins against Yahweh (vv. 12-15). Yahweh sees the injustice and has no one to intercede, so He brings salvation Himself (vv. 16-19). A Redeemer will come to Zion for those who turn away from disobedience (vv. 20-21). Yahweh promises His Spirit and words will remain with His people and their descendants forever.
Yahweh's Spirit and words will not depart from His people as He promises redemption and restoration.
Isaiah 59 at a glance
- Isaiah 59:1–2God's Ability to Save
- Isaiah 59:3–8Description of Iniquity
- Isaiah 59:9–11Despair from Injustice
- Isaiah 59:12–15Recognition of Transgressions
- Isaiah 59:16–19God's Response to Injustice
- Isaiah 59:20–21Promise of Redemption
Key verse: Isaiah 59:1
One thing to notice
Verses 1-2 state, 'Yahweh’s hand is not shortened, that it can’t save; nor his ear dull, that it can’t hear.' Verse 2 notes the separation caused by iniquities, which prevents divine response. Human actions affect the relationship with divine hearing.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Isaiah 59 (WEB)
God's Ability to Save Isaiah 59:1–2
1Verse 1. Behold, Yahweh’s hand is not shortened, that it can’t save;nor his ear dull, that it can’t hear.2Verse 2. But your iniquities have separated you and your God,and your sins have hidden his face from you,so that he will not hear.
Description of Iniquity Isaiah 59:3–8
3Verse 3. For your hands are defiled with blood,and your fingers with iniquity.Your lips have spoken lies.Your tongue mutters wickedness.4Verse 4. No one sues in righteousness,and no one pleads in truth.They trust in vanity,and speak lies.They conceive mischief,and give birth to iniquity.5Verse 5. They hatch adders’ eggs,and weave the spider’s web.He who eats of their eggs dies;and that which is crushed breaks out into a viper.6Verse 6. Their webs won’t become garments.They won’t cover themselves with their works.Their works are works of iniquity,and acts of violence are in their hands.7Verse 7. Their feet run to evil,and they hurry to shed innocent blood.Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity.desolation and destruction are in their paths.8Verse 8. They don’t know the way of peace;and there is no justice in their ways.They have made crooked paths for themselves;whoever goes in them doesn’t know peace.
Despair from Injustice Isaiah 59:9–11
9Verse 9. Therefore is justice far from us,and righteousness doesn’t overtake us.We look for light, but see darkness;for brightness, but we walk in obscurity.10Verse 10. We grope for the wall like the blind.Yes, we grope as those who have no eyes.We stumble at noon as if it were twilight.Among those who are strong, we are like dead men.11Verse 11. We all roar like bears,and moan bitterly like doves.We look for justice, but there is none;for salvation, but it is far off from us.
Recognition of Transgressions Isaiah 59:12–15
12Verse 12. For our transgressions are multiplied before you,and our sins testify against us;for our transgressions are with us,and as for our iniquities, we know them:13Verse 13. transgressing and denying Yahweh,and turning away from following our God,speaking oppression and revolt,conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.14Verse 14. Justice is turned away backward,and righteousness stands far away;for truth has fallen in the street,and uprightness can’t enter.15Verse 15. Yes, truth is lacking;and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.Yahweh saw it,and it displeased him that there was no justice.
God's Response to Injustice Isaiah 59:16–19
16Verse 16. He saw that there was no man,and wondered that there was no intercessor.Therefore his own arm brought salvation to him;and his righteousness sustained him.17Verse 17. He put on righteousness as a breastplate,and a helmet of salvation on his head.He put on garments of vengeance for clothing,and was clad with zeal as a mantle.18Verse 18. According to their deeds,he will repay as appropriate,wrath to his adversaries,recompense to his enemies;he will repay the islands their due.19Verse 19. So shall they fear Yahweh’s name from the west,and his glory from the rising of the sun;for he will come as a rushing stream,which Yahweh’s breath drives.
Promise of Redemption Isaiah 59:20–21
20Verse 20. “A Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from disobedience in Jacob,” says Yahweh. 21Verse 21. “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says Yahweh. “My Spirit who is on you, and my words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, nor out of the mouth of your offspring, nor out of the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,” says Yahweh, “from henceforth and forever.”
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Isaiah 59
Sin and Separation
In verses 1-2, the text states that 'your iniquities have separated you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you.' This separation is made clear as the people are described in their sinful state, with their actions leading to a distance from God. The chapter moves from this separation to a recognition of their plight due to their transgressions, emphasizing the consequences of their iniquities.
Divine Justice
Verses 14-15 describe a situation where 'justice is turned away backward, and righteousness stands far away.' The text portrays a society where truth is absent, and those who seek to do right are persecuted. God observes this lack of justice and is displeased, indicating that divine justice is a response to human wrongdoing, culminating in God's action to restore justice.
Redemption and Salvation
In verses 20-21, the promise is made that 'A Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from disobedience in Jacob.' This declaration of redemption follows the acknowledgment of sin and injustice. The chapter concludes with the assurance of God's covenant, stating that his Spirit and words will remain with the people, highlighting the hope of restoration and salvation for those who repent.
God's Covenant Faithfulness
In verse 21, God makes a promise to His people, stating, 'As for me, this is my covenant with them,' affirming His continued commitment. The assurance of His Spirit and words remaining with them highlights God's unchanging faithfulness, even as the people face the consequences of their actions. This pledge offers a source of hope, indicating that God will not abandon His people despite their transgressions.
Chapter outline
How Isaiah 59 unfolds
Isaiah 59:1–2 God's Ability to Save
Yahweh's capability to save is affirmed in verses 1-2: His hand is not shortened and his ear is not dull, yet human iniquities separate individuals from God, preventing Him from hearing them.
Isaiah 59:3–8 Description of Iniquity
Verses 3-8 present a comprehensive depiction of moral corruption: bloodshed, lies, and violence characterize the people, leading them away from peace and justice, as they create destructive paths for themselves.
Isaiah 59:9–11 Despair from Injustice
In verses 9-11, the resulting despair from widespread injustice is captured: the people experience darkness instead of light, feeling lost and hopeless in their pursuit of justice and salvation.
Isaiah 59:12–15 Recognition of Transgressions
Verses 12-15 acknowledge the people's transgressions against Yahweh, revealing their denial and oppression; their sins accumulate, leading to a situation where truth and justice are absent.
Isaiah 59:16–19 God's Response to Injustice
In response to the injustice depicted in verses 16-19, God recognizes the absence of intercessors and takes matters into His own hands, donning armor and preparing to repay evildoers according to their actions.
Isaiah 59:20–21 Promise of Redemption
In verses 20-21, Yahweh declares that 'A Redeemer will come to Zion' for those who turn from disobedience. He affirms His covenant, stating that 'My Spirit who is on you' and His words will remain with His people forever.
Key verses
Isaiah 59:1Yahweh speaks through the prophet Isaiah to Israel, settling that His ability to save is not limited despite their iniquities, which have caused separation.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Isaiah 59
- observeIn v6, what do their 'works' say about the state of the people?
- observeWhat are the images used in v5 when describing their actions?
- interpretIn v15, why is it significant that Yahweh was displeased that there was 'no justice'?
- interpretIn v12, what does it mean when sins 'testify against us' for the people of Israel?
- applyWhen have you felt that 'justice is far from us' in your own experiences?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Isaiah 59
- Isaiah 44Isaiah 59:21 and Isaiah 44:3Both promise the Spirit: Isaiah 59:21 says, “My Spirit who is on you,” while Isaiah 44:3 states, “I will pour my Spirit on your descendants.”
- Jeremiah 31Isaiah 59:21 and Jeremiah 31:31Both affirm a covenant: Isaiah 59:21 says, “this is my covenant with them,” while Jeremiah 31:31 states, “I will make a new covenant.”
- Hebrews 10Isaiah 59:21 and Hebrews 10:16Both declare a covenant: Isaiah 59:21 says, “this is my covenant with them,” while Hebrews 10:16 states, “I will put my laws on their heart.”
- Jeremiah 32Isaiah 59:21 and Jeremiah 32:38Both declare a people: Isaiah 59:21 says, “this is my covenant with them,” while Jeremiah 32:38 states, “they will be my people.”
- Ezekiel 36Isaiah 59:21 and Ezekiel 36:25Both promise cleansing: Isaiah 59:21 says, “My Spirit who is on you,” while Ezekiel 36:25 states, “I will sprinkle clean water on you.”
- John 7Isaiah 59:21 and John 7:16Both relate to teaching: Isaiah 59:21 says, “my words which I have put in your mouth,” while John 7:16 states, “My teaching is not mine.”
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Where to go from here
- Isaiah: the whole bookIsaiah son of Amoz prophesied in Jerusalem across roughly forty years and four kings — Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz…
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 226Day 226 of 365: Isaiah 58–60.
- SalvationWhat the Bible says about salvation, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
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