Isaiah 48:22 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Isaiah 48:22 kjv
There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.
Isaiah 48:22 nkjv
"There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked."
Isaiah 48:22 niv
"There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked."
Isaiah 48:22 esv
"There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked."
Isaiah 48:22 nlt
"But there is no peace for the wicked,"
says the LORD.
Isaiah 48 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 57:21 | "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked." | Direct parallel to Isa 48:22. |
| Rom 3:17-18 | "And the way of peace they have not known; there is no fear of God before their eyes." | New Testament affirmation of the wicked's lack of peace. |
| Ps 1:4 | The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. | Instability and lack of foundation for the wicked. |
| Prov 28:1 | The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. | Psychological unrest of the wicked. |
| Job 15:20 | The wicked man writhes in pain all his days, through all the years laid up for the ruthless. | Internal suffering and torment. |
| Num 6:26 | The LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. | God's blessing of peace is for His people. |
| Ps 29:11 | The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace. | Divine source of peace for the obedient. |
| Ps 85:8 | He will speak peace to His people, to His saints. | Promise of peace for God's chosen. |
| Ps 119:165 | Great peace have those who love Your law; nothing can make them stumble. | Peace comes from loving and obeying God's law. |
| Rom 5:1 | We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. | Peace as a result of justification through Christ. |
| Rom 8:6 | To set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. | Spiritual mindset brings peace. |
| Phil 4:7 | And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. | God's transcendent peace. |
| Col 3:15 | And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. | Christ's peace is to govern believers. |
| Prov 15:29 | The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. | Divine distance from the wicked implies no peace. |
| Prov 21:7 | The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just. | Wickedness leads to self-destruction, not peace. |
| Mt 7:23 | "I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!" | Final judgment leading to complete absence of peace. |
| Rom 1:18 | For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. | Divine wrath against wickedness precludes peace. |
| Eph 5:6 | For because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. | Consequences for disobedience mean no peace. |
| 2 Thess 1:8-9 | inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel... They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction. | Eternal lack of peace for the disobedient. |
| Jude 1:15 | To execute judgment on all... for all their ungodly deeds. | Judgment ensures the wicked cannot have peace. |
| Nahum 1:3 | The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty. | God's justice implies no acquittal, thus no true peace, for the wicked. |
| Job 3:17 | There the wicked cease from troubling... | Implies constant trouble for the wicked during life. |
Isaiah 48 verses
Isaiah 48 22 meaning
Isaiah 48:22 proclaims a fundamental spiritual truth: genuine, comprehensive peace—encompassing well-being, wholeness, security, and tranquility (shalom)—is inherently unattainable for those who live in rebellion against God. This divine pronouncement, spoken directly by the LORD (Yahweh), asserts that an individual or a nation characterized by wickedness will experience internal unrest, external turmoil, and ultimate separation from divine favor and the true blessings of life.
Isaiah 48 22 Context
Isaiah 48 concludes a significant section (chapters 40-48) where God appeals to His exiled people, Israel, in Babylon. Throughout these chapters, the LORD asserts His sole deity, His omnipotence, and His foreknowledge—especially His prediction of Cyrus's rise and the impending release of the exiles. God rebukes Israel for their idolatry, stubbornness, and spiritual deafness, even while affirming their identity as His chosen people. He reiterates that He is bringing them out of Babylon, a divine act to display His glory. However, amidst this promise of deliverance, this verse serves as a sobering theological caveat. It underlines the distinction between a corporate physical return and individual spiritual transformation. While the physical deliverance from Babylon is imminent, true spiritual peace and blessing are conditional upon forsaking wickedness, a lesson Israel repeatedly failed to learn. The verse acts as a summary principle, applicable both to the individual and the nation, drawing a stark contrast between the ultimate destiny of those who align with God's ways and those who rebel.
Isaiah 48 22 Word analysis
- There is no:
אֵין(Eyn). This Hebrew particle conveys absolute negation. It is a strong and definitive denial, leaving no room for ambiguity or exception. It highlights the impossibility, rather than merely the absence, of peace. - peace:
שָׁלוֹם(Shalom). This is more than the absence of conflict or war. Shalom signifies completeness, wholeness, well-being, harmony, prosperity, safety, and health in all aspects of life—spiritual, mental, social, and physical. For the wicked, this holistic state of blessedness is declared entirely non-existent. - says:
אָמַר(Amar). This verb denotes a direct, authoritative pronouncement or declaration. It implies certainty and finality in the statement. - the LORD:
יְהוָה(Yahweh). This is the personal, covenantal name of God, revealing Him as the ever-present, self-existent, faithful God who keeps His promises and executes His judgments. The use of Yahweh emphasizes the divine origin and absolute truth of this declaration. It is not a human opinion but the verdict of the sovereign God who governs all things. - for the wicked:
לָרְשָׁעִים(La'rasha'im).לְ(La-): This prefix is a preposition meaning "to" or "for," indicating that the condition described directly applies to this group.רְשָׁעִים(Rasha'im): This is the plural form of rasha, which describes individuals who are unrighteous, guilty, morally perverse, defiant toward God's law, and living in rebellion or actively engaged in evil. It's not merely a moral failing but a posture of spiritual hostility and disinterest in God. This term distinguishes them from the righteous or the repentant, highlighting a profound spiritual state that opposes shalom.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "There is no peace": This phrase asserts a fundamental spiritual condition. It is a definitive theological statement about the human state without God. It denies the possibility of true shalom for a specific group, emphasizing an inherent disconnect from the source of all peace.
- "says the LORD": This declares the ultimate divine authority and truth of the statement. It elevates the pronouncement beyond human speculation, stamping it with God's absolute certainty and unchangeable nature. It's a statement of divine law and moral order.
- "for the wicked": This pinpoints the specific category of people for whom peace is unattainable. It serves as a judgment, a warning, and a diagnostic spiritual condition, demonstrating that internal rebellion and outward defiance against God actively hinder one from experiencing holistic well-being. The pronouncement reveals a necessary consequence of unrighteousness in God's moral universe.
Isaiah 48 22 Bonus section
This verse, "There is no peace, says the LORD, for the wicked," appears almost identically in Isaiah 57:21, making it a powerful recurring motif in the book of Isaiah. This repetition emphasizes the immutable nature of this divine truth, functioning as a consistent warning throughout the prophetic message. It suggests a fundamental principle woven into the fabric of God's covenant with humanity and the moral order of His creation. The twofold declaration underscores that despite God's profound grace and offer of redemption, the consequences of persistent rebellion are certain. It is not a fleeting threat but a settled decree, reinforcing that God's desire for the shalom of His people is conditional on their turning from wickedness and embracing righteousness, the ultimate path to true peace found in Him.
Isaiah 48 22 Commentary
Isaiah 48:22 serves as a timeless theological principle, punctuating the narrative of God's interaction with His often-rebellious people. Though positioned at the end of a segment dealing with Israel's imminent physical deliverance from Babylon, its message transcends the immediate historical context to reveal a profound spiritual truth applicable to all humanity. The verse teaches that shalom, understood as comprehensive well-being and not merely the absence of strife, is inextricably linked to one's relationship with God. Those who persistently live in "wickedness"—a state of active rebellion, moral perversion, and disregard for God's ways—will inevitably find themselves alienated from the source of true peace. This lack of peace manifests not just in external conflict, but critically, in internal unrest, spiritual emptiness, and a life devoid of divine favor and blessing. It is a direct and absolute decree from Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God, underscoring that His moral universe does not permit enduring shalom apart from righteousness.
Practically, one might observe seemingly "prosperous" or "calm" wicked individuals. However, this verse points to a deeper reality: any peace they possess is superficial, temporary, or derived from sources other than God. They lack the peace of God and peace with God, living without true security, lasting contentment, or the hope that comes from reconciliation with their Creator. This is why many with outward success often wrestle with profound inner turmoil or meaninglessness.