Isaiah 46 13

Isaiah 46:13 kjv

I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

Isaiah 46:13 nkjv

I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off; My salvation shall not linger. And I will place salvation in Zion, For Israel My glory.

Isaiah 46:13 niv

I am bringing my righteousness near, it is not far away; and my salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion, my splendor to Israel.

Isaiah 46:13 esv

I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off, and my salvation will not delay; I will put salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory."

Isaiah 46:13 nlt

For I am ready to set things right,
not in the distant future, but right now!
I am ready to save Jerusalem
and show my glory to Israel.

Isaiah 46 verses

Isaiah 46 13 Meaning

Isaiah 46:13 declares God's solemn promise of swift and certain salvation for His people. Grounded in His unchanging righteousness, God asserts that His promised deliverance is neither distant nor delayed. He explicitly states He will personally bring salvation and manifest His glorious presence in Zion for the benefit and honor of Israel.

Isaiah 46 13 Context

Isaiah 46:13 concludes a powerful section in Isaiah, particularly chapters 40-48, dedicated to emphasizing God's unique sovereignty, unparalleled power, and covenant faithfulness, especially to His exiled people in Babylon. The immediate preceding verses (46:1-7) depict the humbling spectacle of Babylonian idols (Bel and Nebo) being carried away as cumbersome burdens during the city's impending downfall, unable to save themselves or their devotees. God vividly illustrates their utter futility and impotence. In stark contrast, Isaiah 46:3-4 shows God carrying Israel "from birth even to old age." This verse 13 serves as the triumphant conclusion to this comparison, where God declares His decisive, personal action of bringing righteousness and salvation. This message was a profound assurance to the Jewish exiles, calling them to trust in the living God rather than the doomed gods of their captors, and anticipating their promised return and restoration.

Isaiah 46 13 Word analysis

• "I bring near" (Hebrew: הִקְרַבְתִּי, hiqrabti): Derived from the root קָרַב (qarav), meaning "to draw near, bring close." This perfect tense verb, expressed from God's perspective, indicates a completed and certain action, though its full manifestation might still be unfolding in time. It speaks of divine initiative and an absolute decree that assures its reality.
• "my righteousness" (Hebrew: צִדְקָתִי, tzidqati): More than merely an attribute of moral correctness, tzidqa here signifies God's active, redemptive justice and covenant faithfulness. It's His saving character, revealed in His unwavering commitment to keep His promises and set things right, delivering His people from oppression.
• "it is not far off" (Hebrew: לֹא תִרְחַק, lo’ tirḥaq): A strong declaration of imminence and proximity. God's intended salvation is virtually at hand; there is no significant gap between His promise and its fulfillment, dismissing any idea of distance or a lengthy delay.
• "My salvation" (Hebrew: וּתְשׁוּעָתִי, uṯšu‘ati): From יְשׁוּעָה (yeshu‘ah), meaning "deliverance, rescue, victory." This is God's personal, powerful act of liberation, both spiritual and physical, embodying the essence of His divine intervention on behalf of His people.
• "will not delay" (Hebrew: לֹא תֵאֵחַר, lo’ te’aḥar): This phrase echoes and reinforces "not far off," emphatically ensuring God's promptness and perfect timing. Unlike human-made plans that falter, God's decree is precise and unfailing, emphasizing His complete control and ability to act without procrastination.
• "I will grant salvation" (Hebrew: וְנָתַתִּי בְצִיּוֹן תְּשׁוּעָה, wənataṯi bətzion tšu‘ah – "and I will give in Zion salvation"): The repetition of "salvation" underscores its central importance. "I will grant" (a perfect consecutive with future force) highlights God as the active, generous Giver of this deliverance.
• "in Zion" (Hebrew: בְצִיּוֹן, bətzion): Historically, Mount Zion or Jerusalem, symbolizing God's dwelling place, His capital, and the center of His redemptive activity. Theologically, it expands to represent God's chosen people, the place of His manifest presence, and ultimately the heavenly Jerusalem.
• "my splendor" (Hebrew: תִּפְאַרְתִּי, tif’arti): From תִּפְאֶרֶת (tif’eret), signifying "glory, beauty, honor, adornment." This speaks of the majestic and radiant manifestation of God's character and presence, bringing honor and dignity to Israel.
• "to Israel" (Hebrew: לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, ləyisrael): God's covenant people, the direct recipients of these divine acts of salvation and the tangible expression of His glory. It encompasses both the literal nation and, in New Testament understanding, all those who are spiritual descendants of Abraham by faith.

Words-group analysis:

• "I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off": This couplet firmly establishes the source and imminence of God's redemptive work. God's character (righteousness) is not passive but actively brought into history to accomplish His will. The double affirmation (bringing near, not far off) ensures the absolute certainty and immediacy of this divine act from God's perspective.
• "My salvation will not delay": A powerful, absolute promise directly contrasting the impotent slowness of false gods. This statement highlights God's perfect timing and His unwavering resolve to deliver, removing any doubt about the promptness and reliability of His saving intervention.
• "I will grant salvation in Zion, my splendor to Israel": This phrase details the manifestation and beneficiaries of God's salvific work. Salvation is a personal gift from God, made manifest in Zion, which becomes the stage for His glorious presence. This glory brings honor to Israel, establishing them as a testament to God's unique power and faithfulness among all nations.

Isaiah 46 13 Bonus section

The theological depth of Isaiah 46:13 resonates throughout biblical prophecy, connecting the specific historical context of the Babylonian exile with broader eschatological hopes. The "righteousness" and "salvation" God promises find their ultimate and fullest expression in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is presented in the New Testament as the embodiment of God's righteousness (2 Cor 5:21) and the source of ultimate salvation (Acts 4:12), accomplished through His redemptive death and resurrection. The "Zion" spoken of here can be understood in both its historical significance (the restoration to Jerusalem) and its spiritual and eschatological dimensions, culminating in the New Jerusalem (Heb 12:22-24; Rev 21). Therefore, this verse holds both an immediate fulfillment for the exiles and a future, complete fulfillment in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through His Messiah, encompassing a glorious restoration for all who become "spiritual Israel."

Isaiah 46 13 Commentary

Isaiah 46:13 is a pivotal declaration, anchoring the trust of God's people in His unwavering character and power amidst external pressures. The divine "I" underscores God's personal agency, distinguishing Him sharply from the passive idols He has just denigrated. His "righteousness" serves as the unshakeable foundation for "salvation," meaning God's covenant fidelity guarantees His redemptive action. The repeated emphasis on "not far off" and "will not delay" forcefully counters any notion of divine tardiness or indifference, reassuring the exiles that their deliverance is assured and imminent. The specific mention of "Zion" as the place where salvation will be granted points to the restoration of God's presence among His people and the ultimate establishment of His kingdom. Finally, the bestowing of "my splendor to Israel" signifies that God's salvation is not merely functional rescue, but a glorious manifestation of His presence and honor, uplifting His chosen people and making them a visible testimony to His majestic power in the world. It’s a promise of complete restoration: divine justice, timely deliverance, sacred dwelling, and revealed glory.