Isaiah 59 16

Isaiah 59:16 kjv

And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

Isaiah 59:16 nkjv

He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.

Isaiah 59:16 niv

He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.

Isaiah 59:16 esv

He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.

Isaiah 59:16 nlt

He was amazed to see that no one intervened
to help the oppressed.
So he himself stepped in to save them with his strong arm,
and his justice sustained him.

Isaiah 59 verses

Isaiah 59 16 Meaning

The verse articulates God's profound observation of humanity's complete spiritual inability and moral degradation, leading to a void of righteous individuals or capable intercessors. In response to this universal failure, God Himself resolves to act decisively and alone. His divine power, metaphorically represented by "His own arm," becomes the sole agent of salvation and deliverance. This salvific action is not an arbitrary exercise of power but is fundamentally upheld and driven by His intrinsic righteousness and perfect justice, establishing His character as both the initiator and sustainer of salvation.

Isaiah 59 16 Context

Isaiah chapter 59 portrays a stark depiction of Judah's deep moral and spiritual corruption. The people's iniquities, violence, injustice, and falsehood (vv. 1-8) have severed their relationship with God. They acknowledge their plight, confessing that truth and justice have departed (vv. 9-15a). The setting is one where human efforts and institutions have completely failed to uphold righteousness or secure deliverance. Into this desperate human condition, verse 16 marks a critical shift: God Himself observes the utter depravity and the absence of any human agent capable of interceding or remedying the situation. This observation ignites God's resolve to intervene personally. The immediate context following this verse details God donning garments of vengeance and zeal to execute justice and bring salvation (vv. 17-18), culminating in the promise of a Redeemer who will come to Zion (vv. 19-20). Historically, this reflects the pre-exilic decay of Judah or potentially the struggles of the post-exilic community to live righteously. The verse implicitly counters any belief in human self-sufficiency, political alliances, or even priestly rituals without true righteousness as a means of salvation.

Isaiah 59 16 Word analysis

• And he saw (וַיַּרְא – vayyar')
  • Signifies divine perception and assessment. It's not passive seeing, but a judicial observation. God takes notice of the state of affairs.
• that there was no man (אֵין אִישׁ – 'eyn 'ish)
  • Literally "no man/person." This indicates a complete absence of anyone righteous enough, or morally capable, to take appropriate action or bring about justice. It highlights humanity's collective failure and spiritual emptiness.
• and wondered (וַיִּשְׁתּוֹמֵם – vayyishtomem)
  • Translated as "wondered," "appalled," or "dismayed." This isn't human-like confusion or surprise in God, but an expression of profound divine lament, determined indignation, and holy resolve concerning humanity's dire spiritual state and inability. It signifies God's deep concern and the gravity of the situation.
• that there was no intercessor (אֵין מַפְגִּיעַ – 'eyn maphgi'a)
  • "Intercessor" (maphgi'a) refers to one who "intervenes," "makes entreaty," or "strikes between." It emphasizes the absolute lack of anyone capable of mediating, pleading, or acting on behalf of others in righteousness before God.
• therefore (וַתּוֹשַׁע לוֹ זְרֹעוֹ – vattosha' lo zerō'o)
  • Marks a causal connection: God's action is a direct consequence of His observation of human failure.
• his own arm (זְרֹעוֹ – z'ro'o)
  • A powerful biblical metaphor for God's divine power, strength, and sovereign agency. The addition of "His own arm" underscores that His action is singular, unaided, and wholly from His initiative, emphasizing His self-sufficiency in salvation.
• brought salvation (וַתּוֹשַׁע – vattosha')
  • Signifies "effected deliverance," "granted victory," "rescued." It means to save completely from distress, danger, or sin. This is the direct result of God's unilateral action.
• unto him (לוֹ – lo)
  • Could refer to salvation for His people, or salvation for God's own name/purpose, upholding His holy character and covenant.
• and his righteousness (וְצִדְקָתוֹ – v'tsidqato)
  • Refers to God's inherent moral perfection, justice, and absolute rightness. This is the divine attribute that both necessitates an intervention against injustice and provides the basis for a just salvation.
• it sustained him (הִיא סְמָכַתְהוּ – hi smākhat'hu)
  • Meaning "it upheld him," "it supported him," or "it empowered him." God's righteousness isn't just a quality; it's an active principle that enables and justifies His salvific action, giving it strength and validity. It assures that God's power acts justly and perfectly.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor": This phrase captures the divine perception of universal human failure, not just a general lack of people but specifically a lack of anyone capable of acting righteously or mediating effectively. This is the foundational problem that elicits God's resolute response.
• "therefore his own arm brought salvation unto him": This presents God's sovereign and solitary response to human inability. It highlights that true deliverance is solely the result of God's unmatched power, exercised on His own initiative and by His own strength. It rules out any reliance on human agency for salvation.
• "and his righteousness, it sustained him": This explains the nature and foundation of God's action. The salvation brought by His arm is not raw, arbitrary power but power directed and validated by His perfect moral character and justice. His righteousness is both the motivation for intervening against unrighteousness and the unwavering support for His redemptive plan.

Isaiah 59 16 Bonus section

The motif of the "arm of the Lord" in Isaiah often serves as a dual reference point. While directly symbolizing God's manifest power and strength, it also implicitly or explicitly points to the Messiah, the Suffering Servant, who is the ultimate embodiment of God's active intervention and redemptive strength (e.g., Isa 53:1). Therefore, Isaiah 59:16 can be seen as an anticipatory prophecy, foreshadowing Christ's singular work of salvation and intercession. The absence of a human intercessor is definitively addressed and fulfilled in the New Testament by Jesus Christ, who stands as the one Mediator between God and humanity. The 'wondering' of God emphasizes that He acts out of a necessity born from His perfect character—a response to humanity's absolute failure, driven by both justice and redemptive love.

Isaiah 59 16 Commentary

Isaiah 59:16 is a profound declaration of humanity's utter incapacity and God's sovereign, singular redemptive intervention. It begins with God's panoramic view of a world devoid of righteousness, a world where sin has so pervaded that no individual is capable of either living righteously or interceding effectively. This deep observation elicits a divine 'wonder'—not surprise, but a holy lament and firm determination in response to pervasive spiritual desolation. Because humanity is utterly lost and without remedy from within, God resolves to act unilaterally. "His own arm," a powerful metaphor for His irresistible divine strength, is deployed. This emphasizes that salvation is wholly of God, independent of human merit or assistance. Furthermore, this divine rescue is not merely an act of raw power; it is intrinsically sustained by "His righteousness." God's holy justice dictates both the necessity of intervention against sin and the nature of the salvation He provides. This verse lays the groundwork for the ultimate Intercessor and embodiment of God's arm—the Messiah—who alone provides the righteousness and mediation humanity lacks.