Isaiah 57 21

Isaiah 57:21 kjv

There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

Isaiah 57:21 nkjv

"There is no peace," Says my God, "for the wicked."

Isaiah 57:21 niv

"There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."

Isaiah 57:21 esv

There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."

Isaiah 57:21 nlt

There is no peace for the wicked,"
says my God.

Isaiah 57 verses

Isaiah 57 21 meaning

Isaiah 57:21 succinctly declares the inescapable condition of those estranged from God: they lack true peace. This statement serves as a stark conclusion to a depiction of their idolatrous practices and spiritual depravity. It portrays a state of perpetual internal agitation and unrest, fundamentally opposed to the tranquility and security that God offers to the righteous and repentant. Their spiritual chaos is likened to a stormy, turbulent sea, unable to find stillness.

Isaiah 57 21 Context

Isaiah chapter 57 sharply contrasts the spiritual states and destinies of the righteous and the wicked. It begins by lamenting the perishing of the righteous without people understanding or caring, and details the widespread idolatry and moral decay among God's people (vv. 3-10). The prophet describes how the people engaged in blatant spiritual adultery, seeking alliances and trusting in human power rather than God. They sacrifice their children, worship false gods under every green tree and rock, and ignore the Lord's warnings. Their lives are characterized by unfaithfulness and rebellion against divine truth. Despite this egregious behavior, God, in His mercy, promises comfort and healing for the repentant and humble (vv. 14-19). He will refresh the downcast and create the "fruit of the lips"—praise for peace to both near and far.

Verse 21 serves as a decisive final statement for the unrepentant, those who persist in their wickedness despite God's offer of grace. It marks the boundary of divine favor, declaring that this peace is not available to those who actively resist God's ways. Historically, this prophecy spoke to a period when Israel often vacillated between idolatry and superficial obedience, mimicking the pagan nations around them and thus forfeiting the true shalom offered by their covenant God. This verse also contains an indirect polemic against the false promises of peace offered by idols or human alliances, highlighting their inherent inability to provide genuine spiritual or existential peace, a peace only God can bestow.

Isaiah 57 21 Word analysis

• But: The conjunction introduces a strong contrast, marking a shift from the promises of peace for the repentant (vv. 19-20) to the stark reality of the wicked. It acts as a clear divider in God's declaration.

• the wicked: In Hebrew, רְשָׁעִים (resha'im), meaning "those who are unrighteous," "guilty," or "sinful." This refers not merely to occasional sinful acts but to a prevailing disposition and lifestyle characterized by opposition to God's law and moral order. It denotes a person whose inner being and outward conduct are out of alignment with God's will. Their character is marked by hostility towards divine commands, injustice, and self-serving desires.

• are like the troubled sea: This is a powerful metaphor. The Hebrew phrase lacks a direct "like" but implies the comparison. The imagery of the "troubled sea" (יָם נִגְרָשׁ, yam nigrash) depicts a sea that is restless, stirred up, and constantly agitated, never still.

  • נִגְרָשׁ (nigrash) comes from the root גָּרַשׁ (garash), meaning "to drive out, to cast out, to toss." It describes a sea that is perpetually active, churned by winds and currents. It never finds a placid state. This imagery vividly portrays the internal state of the wicked: a soul tormented by anxieties, fears, guilt, selfish desires, and inner conflicts. They are never settled or calm, but are constantly driven and restless. This inner turmoil is a direct result of their rebellion against God, as their lives are built on foundations that cannot offer stability.

• that cannot: Emphasizes an inherent inability, a fundamental and unchangeable characteristic. It's not a matter of choice for the sea to be calm when agitated; similarly, it's not possible for the wicked to find true peace in their state.

• rest: In Hebrew, שְׁקוֹט (sh'qot), meaning "quiet," "stillness," "repose," or "peace." It refers to a state of calm, both externally and, more significantly here, internally. This isn't just physical cessation from activity, but an inner tranquility and spiritual equilibrium that comes from a harmonious relationship with God. It encompasses mental ease, spiritual serenity, and existential security. The wicked cannot achieve this deep-seated repose because their actions and attitudes create perpetual discord between their soul and their Creator.

• the wicked...that cannot rest: This grouping highlights the inseparable link between a life lived in rebellion against God and the absence of internal peace. The spiritual dis-ease is an intrinsic consequence of their character and conduct, not merely an external punishment. They are driven by forces of sin, unfulfillment, and an unappeased conscience. This continuous inner struggle contrasts sharply with the "perfect peace" promised to those who trust in God (Isa 26:3).

Isaiah 57 21 Bonus section

The inability of the wicked to rest is not an arbitrary punishment, but a natural consequence of their chosen path. The constant agitation they experience is a spiritual reality reflecting their alienation from the very source of peace. This condition extends beyond mental or emotional unrest, pointing to a profound spiritual disquiet. True rest, or shalom, in biblical terms, is comprehensive well-being and completeness, which inherently requires being at peace with God, from God, and consequently, at peace within oneself. The wicked, by definition, reject the means to this reconciliation and thus cut themselves off from its fruit. This principle applies individually, suggesting that until a soul finds its rest in God, it will forever be tossed by the waves of this world, and collectively, illustrating why societies founded on principles opposed to God's righteous standards ultimately descend into disorder and conflict. This verse stands as a perennial warning and a powerful evangelistic call to seek the "Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 57 21 Commentary

Isaiah 57:21 serves as a concluding pronouncement, contrasting the blessedness of those who find God with the perpetual unrest of the unrepentant. Having offered "peace, peace" to those far and near who draw near to Him in humility and repentance (vv. 19-20), God's word here decisively shuts the door on the possibility of peace for those who remain firmly entrenched in their wickedness. The metaphor of the "troubled sea" is particularly potent; just as the ocean can never truly be still, constantly stirred by tides and winds, so too are the inner lives of the wicked plagued by incessant turmoil. This isn't merely an external judgment, but a description of the intrinsic state of a soul that has rejected God. Their guilt, fear, ambition, envy, and the consequences of their sin create a spiritual tempest within, preventing any true and lasting calm. They may seek pleasure, power, or security, but these efforts are ultimately like building on shifting sands, incapable of providing the deep, abiding "shalom"—holistic well-being, wholeness, and peace—that only comes from a right relationship with God. This verse underscores a fundamental biblical principle: peace is a divine gift, not a human achievement apart from God.