Isaiah 57:18 kjv
I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.
Isaiah 57:18 nkjv
I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, And restore comforts to him And to his mourners.
Isaiah 57:18 niv
I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel's mourners,
Isaiah 57:18 esv
I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners,
Isaiah 57:18 nlt
I have seen what they do,
but I will heal them anyway!
I will lead them.
I will comfort those who mourn,
Isaiah 57 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 57:17 | For iniquity's greed I was angry and struck him; | God's response to sin |
| Psalm 34:18 | The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. | God's closeness |
| Psalm 51:17 | The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. | God's desire for contrition |
| Jeremiah 30:17 | For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the LORD... | God's promise of healing |
| Jeremiah 33:6 | Behold, I will bring to it healing and a remedy, and I will heal them... | God's promise of healing |
| Hosea 6:1 | "Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn, that he may heal us;" | God's healing action |
| John 14:27 | Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. | Jesus' peace |
| Romans 8:28 | ...all things work together for good to those who love God... | God's sovereignty |
| 2 Corinthians 1:3 | Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort... | God of all comfort |
| Philippians 4:7 | and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. | Peace of God |
| Revelation 21:4 | He will wipe away every tear from their eyes... | God's future comfort |
| Psalm 147:3 | He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. | God as healer |
| Isaiah 61:1 | The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me... to comfort all who mourn. | God's comforting ministry |
| Luke 4:18 | "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed..." | Jesus' comforting ministry |
| Matthew 5:4 | "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." | Beatitudes |
| Song of Solomon 2:5 | "Sustain me with raisins; refresh me with apples, for I am ill with love." | Yearning for comfort |
| Psalm 103:2-3 | Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases. | God forgives and heals |
| Psalm 130:7 | ...with him is plenteous redemption. | God's redemption |
| Lamentations 3:32 | Though he cause sorrow, he will also show compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love. | God's compassion |
| Matthew 11:28 | "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." | Jesus offers rest |
| John 11:35 | Jesus wept. | Jesus' compassion |
Isaiah 57 verses
Isaiah 57 18 Meaning
This verse speaks of God's recognition of the nation of Israel, despite their unfaithfulness. He sees their suffering and sorrow, acknowledging their hidden pain and distress. Despite their straying, God promises to heal and restore them, providing comfort and peace.
Isaiah 57 18 Context
This verse is found in Isaiah chapter 57, a chapter that begins by addressing the unfaithfulness and idolatry of Judah, leading to judgment and scattering. However, the chapter then shifts to a message of hope and restoration for the faithful remnant and for Israel as a whole. Isaiah contrasts the fate of the wicked with the blessing of the righteous and looks forward to a time of peace and divine presence. Specifically, verses 15-16 lament God's eternal nature being touched by sin, yet also highlight His compassion and His desire to restore the broken and contrite. Verse 18 directly follows this, extending God's promise of healing and comfort to His people who have suffered due to their sin and its consequences.
Historically, this passage would have resonated with an audience grappling with exile, destruction, and spiritual desolation. It offered solace and a future of restoration, promising that God’s momentary anger would give way to enduring mercy. The literary context moves from pronouncements of judgment for sin to declarations of divine healing and abundant peace, painting a picture of God's unfailing love even in the face of His people's rebellion.
Isaiah 57 18 Word Analysis
"I have seen": Hebrew: רָאִיתִי (ra'iti). This indicates divine perception, not just observation but a deep understanding and awareness of the condition.
"his ways": Hebrew: דְּרָכָיו (derachav). Refers to the manner of life, conduct, and behavior of individuals or a people. God sees their entire walk.
"but I will heal him": Hebrew: וּרְפוּאֹתוֹ (urfu'oto). Literally "and his healings," implying a comprehensive or multi-faceted healing, addressing both spiritual and physical or societal wounds. The conjunction "vav" (וּ - u) indicates continuation and consequence; because I see, I will heal.
"I will lead him also": Hebrew: וַאֲנִינוֹ (vana'anehu). Can mean "I will answer him" or "I will lead him." In this context, it implies guiding, supporting, and bringing him through his difficulties.
"and restore comforts unto him": Hebrew: וְאָשִׁיב לוֹ (ve'ashiv lo). Means to bring back recompense or restoration. It signifies a full return of what was lost or deserved, specifically "comforts" (נֶחָמָה - nechamah) indicating consolation and solace.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "I have seen his ways, but I will heal him": This pair of clauses highlights God's comprehensive knowledge of His people's fallen state, followed immediately by His resolute action to mend it. It shows God’s intimate knowledge and His compassionate response.
- "I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him": This expresses God's active participation in the restoration process, offering guidance and true consolation. It emphasizes God's agency in bringing His people back to well-being and peace.
Isaiah 57 18 Bonus Section
The promise of healing and restoration in Isaiah 57:18 can be seen as a precursor to the fuller restoration offered through Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Jesus' ministry often mirrored this Old Testament prophetic theme. He healed the sick, forgave sins, and offered spiritual rest and peace to those burdened by their sins and the trials of life. The comfort mentioned is deeply personal, a divine assurance that surpasses human understanding, aligning with Paul’s description of the "peace of God" in Philippians 4:7. This verse undergirds the theological concept of God’s unfailing covenant faithfulness and His desire to redeem and reconcile humanity to Himself.
Isaiah 57 18 Commentary
Isaiah 57:18 reveals the heart of God towards His wayward people. Despite their unfaithfulness ("his ways"), God does not abandon them. His sight extends beyond their actions to the brokenness they experience. He possesses complete knowledge of their suffering, not in a condemning way, but in a way that moves Him to act. The verse transitions from observation to active intervention. The Hebrew phrase for "heal him" (רְפוּאֹתוֹ - r'fu'oto) suggests a deep, restorative healing. This healing is not merely physical but spiritual and emotional. The subsequent actions, "lead him" and "restore comforts," paint a picture of God guiding His people back from distress, providing solace and peace that undoes the pain caused by their sin and its consequences. This verse exemplifies God's sovereign mercy, His penetrating knowledge of our hearts, and His ultimate purpose of restoration, not just mending but bringing back into fellowship and peace.