Isaiah 59 1

Isaiah 59:1 kjv

Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

Isaiah 59:1 nkjv

Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear.

Isaiah 59:1 niv

Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.

Isaiah 59:1 esv

Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;

Isaiah 59:1 nlt

Listen! The LORD's arm is not too weak to save you,
nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call.

Isaiah 59 verses

Isaiah 59 1 Meaning

Isaiah 59:1 states unequivocally that the Lord's power to deliver and His willingness to hear are undiminished and constant. This verse refutes any notion that God is unable to save or attend to His people's cries. It prefaces the subsequent verses which will reveal the true impediment: human sin and iniquity, rather than any limitation on God's part. It is a powerful affirmation of God's omnipotence, ever-present help, and unfailing nature.

Isaiah 59 1 Context

Isaiah 59:1 stands at the opening of a significant chapter that provides a harsh indictment of the people of Judah (or returning exiles). Following Isaiah 58, which contrasted their outward religious observance with their inward hypocrisy and social injustice, chapter 59:1 establishes a critical premise. The people, in their distress, might have questioned God's power or attentiveness, perhaps feeling abandoned or unheard. The verse directly addresses and refutes this potential accusation, making it clear that the problem lies not with the Lord's capability or willingness to save and hear, but with their own moral and spiritual corruption. This rhetorical strategy serves to shift the focus from a presumed divine failing to their actual human sin (expounded in 59:2-8), before God promises His own intervention and the coming of the Redeemer (59:15-20). Historically, it reflects a society where superficial religion masked deep-seated social evils, similar to situations leading to the exilic period, necessitating a clear affirmation of God's undiminished power against their misdeeds.

Isaiah 59 1 Word analysis

• Behold (Heb. הֵן, hēn): This interjection serves as an exclamation, drawing urgent attention to what follows. It underscores the profound truth being presented, often initiating a pivotal declaration.
• the LORD's hand (Heb. יַד־יְהוָה, yad-YHWH): "Hand" is a common biblical anthropomorphism representing God's power, might, action, and capacity for intervention or deliverance. It signifies divine strength and execution. YHWH is God's covenant name, emphasizing His personal, relational, and unchanging character.
• is not shortened (Heb. לֹֽא־קָצְרָ֤ה, lo'-qātṣrāh): "Shortened" implies limited power or inability to reach or perform. The negation "not" powerfully affirms God's infinite capacity, indicating that His power is fully available and unrestricted by any external or internal factors. This is a direct refutation of any doubt regarding His capability to save.
• that it cannot save (Heb. מֵהוֹשִׁ֔יעַ, mēhôshîaʿ): From the verb יָשַׁע (yasha'), meaning "to save," "deliver," or "rescue." This clarifies the specific function of God's undiminished hand—His ability to bring about salvation and deliverance is absolute.
• nor His ear heavy (Heb. וְלֹֽא־כָבְדָ֥ה אָזְנ֖וֹ, wəlō'-ḵāḇəḏāh ’oznō): "Heavy ear" is an idiomatic expression denoting dullness of hearing, deafness, or a refusal to listen, often used metaphorically for being unresponsive or unable to perceive. Applied to God, "not heavy" assures His perfect attentiveness and receptiveness. It signifies His absolute sensitivity to every cry and petition.
• that it cannot hear (Heb. מִשְּׁמֽוֹעַ׃, mishshəmôaʿ): From the verb שָׁמַע (shama'), meaning "to hear," "listen," or "understand." This explicitly states the purpose of God's perfectly functioning ear—His ability to discern and comprehend every word spoken to Him, assuring His people that their prayers are indeed perceived.

Words-Group by Words-Group analysis:

• Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened: This phrase begins with a call to attention, directly confronting the implicit human doubt about God's power. It asserts that Yahweh's power and capability to act are utterly unimpeded. This sets a foundational theological truth: God's power is always sufficient.
• that it cannot save: This completes the first thought, specifically highlighting that God's undiminished power extends directly to His ability to deliver and rescue. It means there is no situation, no enemy, no circumstance beyond God's reach to bring salvation.
• nor His ear heavy: This shifts the focus from God's executive power to His receptive capacity. It declares that God is never unresponsive, dull of hearing, or preoccupied. His perception of human need and prayer is perfect and instantaneous.
• that it cannot hear: This reinforces the preceding statement, clarifying that God's non-heavy ear means He is perfectly capable and willing to listen. There is no prayer, cry, or lament that goes unheard by Him. Together, these two parallel clauses (hand/ear) eliminate any excuse for doubting God's character concerning His ability or His attentiveness.

Isaiah 59 1 Bonus section

The rhetorical structure of Isaiah 59:1 serves as a masterful pre-emption. By emphatically stating what God is not (limited in power, deaf), it then powerfully sets up the actual problem presented in 59:2. This rhetorical device focuses the audience's attention on their own moral accountability rather than allowing them to scapegoat a seemingly inactive deity. The twin metaphors of the "hand" and "ear" beautifully encapsulate both God's active, intervening power and His compassionate, responsive presence. These are attributes often questioned during times of national or personal crisis, and Isaiah counters such doubt with divine certainty. Furthermore, this verse highlights the holiness of God, who, while capable and willing, cannot simply override His own righteous nature by ignoring the impact of sin, hence setting the expectation that genuine seeking and repentance are required to bridge the gap caused by iniquity.

Isaiah 59 1 Commentary

Isaiah 59:1 is a profound declaration of God's intrinsic and unchangeable character, establishing a baseline of divine perfection before delving into human failings. It counters any temptation to blame God for the absence of deliverance or unanswered prayers by affirming His boundless power ("hand not shortened") and His perfect attentiveness ("ear not heavy"). The verse asserts that God's capacity to save is infinite, and His willingness to hear is unwavering. This sets the stage for the pivotal explanation in the subsequent verses: the real barrier between God and His people is not a lack of divine capability, but rather the insurmountable wall of human sin and iniquity. It's a statement of divine truth that lays the groundwork for repentance, emphasizing that salvation begins with acknowledging humanity's problem and God's unchanging readiness.Example: When experiencing delayed answers to prayer, this verse reminds us that the delay is never due to God's inability or inattentiveness, but might call us to self-examination.