Isaiah 51:23 kjv
But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.
Isaiah 51:23 nkjv
But I will put it into the hand of those who afflict you, Who have said to you, 'Lie down, that we may walk over you.' And you have laid your body like the ground, And as the street, for those who walk over."
Isaiah 51:23 niv
I will put it into the hands of your tormentors, who said to you, 'Fall prostrate that we may walk on you.' And you made your back like the ground, like a street to be walked on."
Isaiah 51:23 esv
and I will put it into the hand of your tormentors, who have said to you, 'Bow down, that we may pass over'; and you have made your back like the ground and like the street for them to pass over."
Isaiah 51:23 nlt
Instead, I will hand that cup to your tormentors,
those who said, 'We will trample you into the dust
and walk on your backs.'"
Isaiah 51 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 51:23 | that I may lay it waste, and turn it back upon thine own bowels; | Implied fulfillment in judgment against oppressors |
| Isaiah 47:6 | I was wroth with my people, I have given them into thine hand | God allows discipline through nations |
| Jeremiah 25:12 | And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD | Judgment upon oppressive nations |
| Jeremiah 50:33-34 | They are oppressed and ensnared: they are as prisoners in the dungeons: they are for a prey, and none delivereth them; Their Redeemer is mighty; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause | God's role as Redeemer and avenger for His people |
| Nahum 1:9 | What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time. | Complete destruction of oppressors |
| Zephaniah 1:14 | The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the cry of the fortieth year. | Day of judgment is approaching |
| Zephaniah 3:19-20 | Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her out of the country of the north, and will bring her into her own country. | God's deliverance and restoration for His people |
| Luke 21:22 | For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. | Fulfillment of prophetic judgment |
| Romans 12:19 | Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. | Vengeance belongs to God |
| Revelation 18:6 | Render unto her as she hath also rendered unto you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled, fill to her double. | Judgment based on deeds against God's people |
| Psalm 94:1-3 | O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself. Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud. LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? | God as the ultimate judge and avenger |
| Psalm 103:6 | The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. | God's justice for the oppressed |
| Matthew 23:35-36 | That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. | Judgment on the generation for shedding innocent blood |
| Isaiah 66:6 | A noise of tumult from the city, a noise from the temple, a noise of the LORD that rendereth recompense to his enemies. | God rendering recompense to His enemies |
| Isaiah 51:19 | These two things are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee? | Devastation experienced by those who suffer |
| Isaiah 51:22 | Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of staggering, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again: | God removing the cup of fury from His people |
| Jeremiah 49:26 | And her young men shall fall in her streets, and all her men of war shall be cut off the same day, saith the LORD of hosts. | Judgment upon a nation (Babylon) |
| Ezekiel 25:17 | And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them. | God's vengeance and its recognition |
| Obadiah 1:15 | For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head. | Reciprocity in judgment |
| Revelation 16:6 | For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. | Judgment of drinking blood for shedding blood |
Isaiah 51 verses
Isaiah 51 23 Meaning
This verse declares that those who oppressed and afflicted Zion (representing God's people and His people's future restoration) will face a devastating judgment. Their suffering and mistreatment will turn back upon them, resulting in their complete destruction. The Lord will act as a redeemer, bringing justice and peace to His people.
Isaiah 51 23 Context
This verse is found in Isaiah chapter 51, a passage that shifts from addressing Zion (the people of God) with words of comfort and restoration to warning their oppressors. The preceding verses (51:17-20) describe Jerusalem drinking the "cup of staggering" from God's fury due to its sins and the resultant suffering. Now, in verse 23, the focus turns to those nations and individuals who afflicted and humiliated Zion, promising that their actions will rebound upon them. The historical backdrop is likely the various empires that oppressed Israel, such as Assyria and Babylon, and the prophetic assurance is that God will judge them for their cruelty and pride. This serves as a powerful statement of divine justice, assuring God's people that their tormentors will ultimately face their own destruction.
Isaiah 51 23 Word Analysis
- wa- (and)
- A conjunctive particle, linking this statement to the previous judgment against Zion's oppressors.
- yaten-na-em (that I may lay it waste)
- yaten (give): The root implies to give over, to deliver up for destruction.
- -na-em (to destruction/wasteland): Denotes ruin, desolation, a state of being void or empty. It signifies complete destruction and eradication.
- w-eshob-boh-nu (and turn it back upon them)
- w- (and)
- eshob-boh (return, turn back): Implies a reversal or reciprocation of action. The consequence of their actions will be sent back.
- -nu (them): Refers to the oppressors who afflicted Zion.
- al- (upon)
- A preposition indicating location or direction.
- qub-bo-teim (their bowels/insides)
- qubbah: A collective noun meaning entrails, innermost parts, belly, or the seat of emotions and physical being. It emphasizes a deeply personal and internal suffering, striking at the very core of their being. This imagery conveys a sense of internal distress, pain, and sickness as the consequence.
Words-group analysis:The phrase "lay it waste, and turn it back upon them" (wa-yaten-na-em w-eshob-boh-nu al-qub-bo-teim) powerfully portrays a perfect, divine retribution. God, as the actor, will bring utter desolation not just externally, but internally, onto the oppressors themselves. The 'bowels' suggests that the suffering will be profound and devastating, impacting their very core.
Isaiah 51 23 Bonus Section
The concept of God's judgment returning the wicked's deeds upon them is a recurring theme in Scripture, illustrating divine retribution and the inherent justice of God. The use of "bowels" (qubbah) suggests a profound internal torment, possibly alluding to diseases, extreme sickness, or psychological anguish, highlighting the comprehensive nature of God's judgment that affects a person at their innermost level. This specific imagery also resonates with how ancient peoples understood the "gut feeling" or the seat of emotion and conscience. Furthermore, this verse connects to the broader prophetic message of redemption for Zion, assuring the suffering people that their present pain is temporary, and God will ultimately act as their vindicator, bringing an end to the cycles of oppression.
Isaiah 51 23 Commentary
This verse is a strong affirmation of God's sovereignty and justice. It pronounces a devastating judgment upon those who have inflicted suffering upon God's people, Zion. The prophecy indicates a complete reversal of fortunes: the oppressors will not only be destroyed but will experience suffering that reflects their own cruelty, turning their actions back upon their very being ("bowels"). This underscores the principle of sowing and reaping, where deeds have consequences, especially when directed against God's chosen. The ultimate fulfillment is found in God's judgment against all opposition to His purposes, both in the Old Testament era and in the final eschatological judgment. God, as the ultimate Redeemer and Judge, ensures that justice will prevail, and His people will ultimately find vindication and peace.