Isaiah 57 15

Isaiah 57:15 kjv

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Isaiah 57:15 nkjv

For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Isaiah 57:15 niv

For this is what the high and exalted One says? he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Isaiah 57:15 esv

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Isaiah 57:15 nlt

The high and lofty one who lives in eternity,
the Holy One, says this:
"I live in the high and holy place
with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.
I restore the crushed spirit of the humble
and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.

Isaiah 57 verses

Isaiah 57 15 meaning

Isaiah 57:15 reveals God's dual nature: transcendent yet immanent. He is the majestic, eternal, and holy One, dwelling in the highest heavens, yet He also chooses to dwell with those on earth who possess a broken and humble spirit. His purpose in doing so is to revive and restore life to such individuals, comforting their contrite hearts and lifting their downcast spirits. This verse offers profound hope and an invitation to intimacy with the Almighty for the penitent.

Isaiah 57 15 Context

Isaiah 57:15 appears amidst a larger section of Isaiah (chapters 56-66) that mixes pronouncements of judgment with messages of hope and salvation. Specifically, in chapter 57, God is denouncing the idolatry, apostasy, and moral corruption prevalent among His people. He condemns their spiritual unfaithfulness, likening it to prostitution and child sacrifice (vv. 3-13). However, even in this context of severe judgment, verse 15 suddenly shifts tone, revealing God's character not only as a formidable Judge but also as a compassionate Father. It stands as a profound promise of divine encounter and spiritual restoration for those who respond to His call with genuine humility and contrition, contrasting sharply with the proud and unrepentant idolaters.

Isaiah 57 15 Word analysis

• For thus says the High and Lofty One: This phrase initiates a direct divine utterance.
  • High (גָּבֹהַ - gaḇōha‘): Implies physical elevation and supreme rank. God is not merely tall but infinitely exalted above all creation, beyond reach and comprehension in His majesty.
  • Lofty (וְנָשָׂא - wə-nāśā’): "Lifted up," "exalted." It often refers to something raised high, pointing to God's unparalleled sovereignty and preeminence over everything.
  • Group Analysis: High and Lofty One: Together, these terms emphasize God's absolute transcendence and unparalleled majesty. He is incomparably exalted, supreme above all earthly and heavenly powers. This title sets a profound foundation for understanding who is speaking.
• Who inhabits eternity (שֹׁכֵן עַד - šōḵēn ‘aḏ):
  • Inhabits (שֹׁכֵן - šōḵēn): A participle, literally "dwelling." It suggests a constant state of existence.
  • Eternity (עַד - ‘aḏ): Refers to a boundless expanse of time, "forever," "to time indefinite." God is not bound by time but exists outside of it, yet actively dwells within it in an eternal present.
  • Group Analysis: Who inhabits eternity: This signifies God's self-existence and timelessness. He is not subject to the constraints of beginning or end, emphasizing His absolute authority and stability through all ages.
• Whose name is Holy (קָדוֹשׁ שְׁמוֹ - qāḏōš šəmōw):
  • Holy (קָדוֹשׁ - qāḏōš): Means "separate," "set apart," "sacred." It denotes God's moral perfection and unique essence, distinct from all created beings and everything common or impure.
  • Group Analysis: Whose name is Holy: "Name" represents His very character and essence. This declaration highlights God's unblemished purity, righteousness, and inherent otherness, reinforcing His transcendence and majesty. It implies an ethical demand on those who would approach Him.
• 'I dwell in the high and holy place:
  • I dwell (אֶשְׁכּוֹן - ʾešəkōwn): Future tense, but can denote an enduring state. Similar root to "inhabits" (šōḵēn), establishing a connection between His eternal dwelling and this specific location.
  • High (מָרוֹם - mārōwm): "Height," "exalted place," specifically heaven.
  • Holy (וְקָדוֹשׁ - wə-qāḏōš): Further defines the heavenly dwelling as set apart and pure.
  • Group Analysis: I dwell in the high and holy place: This reiterates God's supreme dwelling, physically and spiritually, above human imperfection. It establishes His heavenly throne as His primary and proper abode, consistent with His transcendent nature.
• With him who has a contrite and humble spirit: This phrase introduces the stunning contrast and central paradox.
  • Contrite (נְכֵאֵה רוּחַ - nəḵeʾēh rūaḥ): Literally, "crushed spirit." Refers to someone whose spirit is broken, sorrowful, and remorseful over sin or personal condition.
  • Humble (שְׁפַל רוּחַ - šəphal rūaḥ): "Low spirit," implying a sense of one's own smallness and unworthiness, devoid of pride.
  • Group Analysis: With him who has a contrite and humble spirit: This reveals God's immanence. Despite His lofty abode, He chooses to identify with and be present among those who are lowly and broken-hearted, subverting human expectations of who is worthy of divine attention.
• To revive the spirit of the humble:
  • To revive (לְהַחֲיוֹת - ləhaḥăyōwt): "To make alive," "to cause to live," "to restore." It signifies breathing new life, fresh energy, and hope into those who are spiritually weak or dying.
  • Spirit (רוּחַ - rūaḥ): Life force, innermost being, breath.
  • Group Analysis: To revive the spirit of the humble: God's intention is transformative. He does not dwell with the humble merely to observe but actively to restore and strengthen their inner life, transforming their despair into hope.
• And to revive the heart of the contrite ones:
  • Revive (לְהַחֲיוֹת - ləhaḥăyōwt): Repetition of the purpose, emphasizing the holistic restoration.
  • Heart (לֵב - lēḇ): Center of emotions, intellect, will.
  • Contrite ones (נִדְכָּאִים - niḏkāʾīm): Refers to the "crushed" or "broken."
  • Group Analysis: And to revive the heart of the contrite ones: This parallelism reinforces the previous line, stressing that God's work of restoration encompasses both the "spirit" and the "heart"—the totality of a person's inner being—healing the deepest wounds and restoring emotional and spiritual vitality.

Isaiah 57 15 Bonus section

This verse can be considered an ancient theological treatise in miniature, bridging the perceived gap between divine grandeur and human frailty. It serves as a strong polemic against idolatry and self-righteousness, common themes throughout Isaiah. Idolatry places value on tangible, limited deities often housed in earthly structures. God, in contrast, reveals Himself as unlimited, timeless, and then shows His presence is not limited to physical altars but is intimately tied to a disposition of the heart. The Hebrew concept of "name is Holy" (qāḏōš šəmōw) suggests that His essence, identity, and very being are saturated with purity and distinctness, making His condescension to dwell with the broken even more profound an act of grace. The juxtaposition of "high and holy place" and "contrite and humble spirit" underscores that God's nature combines both majesty and mercy, challenging any notion that God is solely a distant, inaccessible being or exclusively a tribal deity. His intent to "revive" is a promise of life-giving power for spiritual renewal, much like rain restores parched ground, offering hope to a nation often steeped in spiritual dryness.

Isaiah 57 15 Commentary

Isaiah 57:15 encapsulates a core paradox of God's nature: His profound transcendence and His intimate immanence. He is the supremely exalted, timeless, and perfectly holy Creator, existing in a realm utterly separate from human corruption. This description first sets an awe-inspiring stage for who God truly is. Yet, immediately following, He declares His chosen dwelling place is not solely in this celestial high and holy sphere, but paradoxically, "with him who has a contrite and humble spirit." This startling declaration redefines sacred space, indicating that true spirituality and proximity to God are found not in outward rituals, grand temples, or elevated social status, but in a humble and penitent heart. The divine motive is compassionate: He descends to revive and restore such broken individuals, offering life, comfort, and healing where there was despair and weariness. This challenges all forms of spiritual pride and invites a deep personal relationship with a God who is both majestic King and gentle Redeemer. This verse finds its fullest expression in Christ, who, though "in the form of God," humbled Himself to dwell among humanity, to seek and save the lost.