Isaiah 51 5

Isaiah 51:5 kjv

My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.

Isaiah 51:5 nkjv

My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, And My arms will judge the peoples; The coastlands will wait upon Me, And on My arm they will trust.

Isaiah 51:5 niv

My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm.

Isaiah 51:5 esv

My righteousness draws near, my salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands hope for me, and for my arm they wait.

Isaiah 51:5 nlt

My mercy and justice are coming soon.
My salvation is on the way.
My strong arm will bring justice to the nations.
All distant lands will look to me
and wait in hope for my powerful arm.

Isaiah 51 verses

Isaiah 51 5 meaning

Isaiah 51:5 presents a powerful declaration of God's imminent and universal saving intervention. It proclaims that God's justice and deliverance are actively drawing near and extending outward. God's powerful "arm," a symbol of His might and authority, will not only execute judgment among the nations but also be the very object of hope and expectation for distant peoples, signifying a global impact of His redemptive work.

Isaiah 51 5 Context

Isaiah chapter 51 forms part of the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-55), addressed primarily to the exiles in Babylon. The surrounding verses encourage the people, descendants of Abraham, to remember their past (v. 1-2) and trust in God's power to restore and comfort Zion (v. 3-4). This comfort is not merely for Israel but, as verse 5 declares, is intrinsically linked to God's universal plan. Following verse 5, God urges His people not to fear the fleeting nature of human oppressors but to fix their gaze on His eternal salvation and righteousness (v. 6-8), and He recounts His mighty acts of old as a pledge of future deliverance (v. 9-11). The historical context is post-exilic anticipation, where Israel looks forward to physical return and spiritual renewal, but Isaiah consistently expands this vision to include all nations experiencing God's light and justice.

Isaiah 51 5 Word analysis

• My righteousness (צִדְקָתִ֗י - tsidqati): This refers to God's inherent attribute of justice and moral rectitude, but in the context of salvation, it also encompasses His active, covenantal faithfulness and redemptive intervention on behalf of His people. It signifies not just an ethical standard but God's saving power demonstrated through His just action. Its "nearness" implies immediacy and active manifestation.
• is near (קָרְבָ֤ה - qarəvâ): From the root qarab, meaning "to approach, draw near." This emphasizes the imminence of God's redemptive work, suggesting it is not a distant, passive hope but an active, progressing reality already underway or on the very cusp of happening. It denotes active progression toward fulfillment.
• My salvation (יְשׁוּעָתִ֖י - yeshu'ati): From yeshu'ah, meaning "deliverance, rescue, welfare." This encompasses holistic well-being, both physical and spiritual, deliverance from oppression and sin. It points to God's complete work of setting His people free and establishing them securely.
• is gone forth (יָצְאָ֑ה - yat͡səʾâ): From the root yat͡saʾ, meaning "to go out, come forth." This signifies active, public proclamation and widespread extension. It is not confined but is actively radiating outward, encompassing all peoples. It underscores the powerful and uncontainable nature of God's deliverance.
• My arm (זְרוֹעִ֤י - zəro'i): Literally "my forearm/arm," a powerful anthropomorphism symbolizing God's strength, power, and active agency. In biblical imagery, God's arm is synonymous with His mighty acts, such as delivering Israel from Egypt. Here, it refers to His sovereign power being manifested universally.
• will judge (יִשְׁפֹּ֣וטוּ - yishpoṭu): From shafat, meaning "to judge, govern, rule, execute justice." This isn't merely condemnation but an act of righteous governance. God's arm will enforce His divine order and establish justice among the nations, which includes both righteous vindication and deserved punishment.
• the peoples (עַמִּ֔ים - ʿammim): The common Hebrew term for nations or ethnic groups, often contrasted with Israel but here explicitly including them in the scope of God's universal governance and judgment.
• The coastlands (אִיִּ֖ים - ʾiyyim): This term (from ʾi) refers to islands, distant lands, and coastal regions. It is a poetic idiom for the most distant parts of the known world, emphasizing the global, expansive reach of God's saving work beyond the immediate vicinity of Israel.
• will wait for Me (יְחִיל֑וּן לִֽי - yəḥilu-li): From yachal, meaning "to wait, hope, tarry." This conveys an active, hopeful expectation. The most distant nations are not passive recipients but eagerly anticipate God's revelation and intervention. This suggests a recognition and longing for divine action among them.
• And for My arm they will wait (וְאֶל־זְרוֹעִ֥י יְיַחֵֽלוּ - vəʾel-zəro'i yəyaḥēlu): This repetition emphasizes the profound trust and expectant longing that these distant peoples will place not merely in God generally, but specifically in His powerful, visible demonstration of strength and saving action.

Isaiah 51 5 Bonus section

This verse encapsulates a crucial tension between Israel's particular role and God's universal plan. While initially addressing a scattered people longing for return, the promise swiftly expands beyond their national borders. This 'Jacob/Israel as seed, not end' dynamic is pervasive in Isaiah, where Israel is called to be a light to the nations (Isa 49:6). The "waiting" of the coastlands reflects a spiritual readiness or yearning, foreshadowing how the Gentiles would eventually embrace the Messiah, whose coming was the ultimate fulfillment of God's "righteousness" and "salvation" manifested through His "arm." This universal outlook is central to understanding the New Testament's expansion of God's covenant to all humanity through Christ.

Isaiah 51 5 Commentary

Isaiah 51:5 is a profound theological statement anticipating God's universal redemption. It moves from a focused message of comfort for exiled Israel to a vision of global impact, firmly establishing God's sovereignty over all creation. The progression from "righteousness is near" to "salvation is gone forth" demonstrates a movement from imminent promise to active manifestation. This divine action is not limited to Israel; God's "arm" is unveiled for both righteous judgment and ultimate salvation among "the peoples" (nations). The reference to "coastlands" specifically highlights the outreach to Gentiles and the furthest corners of the earth, signaling a divine intention that transcends ethnic boundaries. These distant lands are depicted as not just receiving, but actively "waiting" and hoping for God's powerful intervention. This conveys an image of the nations recognizing their need for God's might and turning in expectant longing toward the true Divine deliverer. The repetition concerning "My arm" reinforces the idea that salvation is by God's irresistible power, which simultaneously judges evil and brings deliverance to those who wait in faith. This verse thus prefigures the global reach of the Gospel message and the coming Kingdom of God, inviting all to hope in His righteous and saving strength.