Isaiah 59 17

Isaiah 59:17 kjv

For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.

Isaiah 59:17 nkjv

For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, And was clad with zeal as a cloak.

Isaiah 59:17 niv

He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.

Isaiah 59:17 esv

He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.

Isaiah 59:17 nlt

He put on righteousness as his body armor
and placed the helmet of salvation on his head.
He clothed himself with a robe of vengeance
and wrapped himself in a cloak of divine passion.

Isaiah 59 verses

Isaiah 59 17 Meaning

Isaiah 59:17 portrays God as a divine warrior arming Himself, not with conventional weaponry, but with His intrinsic attributes to execute justice and bring about salvation. It signifies His resolute action to intervene in human affairs where sin and unrighteousness prevail, preparing for both righteous judgment upon evildoers and powerful deliverance for His people. This imagery underscores God's commitment to His covenant, His holiness, and His active role in the world.

Isaiah 59 17 Context

Isaiah chapter 59 deeply laments the profound sinfulness and moral decay within Judah, highlighting how their iniquities have separated them from God. It depicts a society steeped in injustice, bloodshed, lies, and oppression, where righteousness is absent, and truth is nowhere to be found. The verse immediately preceding 59:17 (verse 16) portrays God looking upon this situation and being dismayed that no one steps up to intercede or intervene. In response to humanity's failure and inability to deliver themselves from this pervasive sin, God determines to act unilaterally and directly. Historically, this aligns with the post-exilic period or a time when the community faced internal moral struggles, reinforcing the need for divine intervention when human efforts prove utterly inadequate. This verse transitions the lament into a declaration of God's impending, powerful, and righteous action.

Isaiah 59 17 Word analysis

• For He put on (וַיִּלְבַּשׁ, va-yîlbaš): The verb lavash (לָבַשׁ) means to put on, clothe, or wear. It uses an anthropomorphic image, attributing human-like action to God. This signifies intentional, deliberate action, rather than a passive state. God is not merely righteous; He actively equips Himself with righteousness as one prepares for battle.
• righteousness (צֶדֶק, tzedeq): Encompasses moral and ethical rightness, justice, and rectitude. Here, it is an inherent quality of God but is metaphorically depicted as an external garment He puts on. It speaks to God's standard of right and wrong, and His commitment to upholding that standard.
• as a breastplate (כַּשִּׁרְיָן, ka-shiryan): Shiryan is a piece of armor covering the torso, protecting vital organs. This suggests righteousness is God's primary defense and also part of His offensive readiness, central to His being and action. It indicates His inviolability and His righteous judgment emanating from His core.
• And a helmet (וְכוֹבַע, ve-kova): A protective covering for the head, symbolizing defense for the mind, thoughts, and plans.
• of salvation (יְשׁוּעָה, yeshaʿ): Literally "deliverance," "help," or "victory." Here, salvation is the protection for God's divine strategic mind and purpose. It underscores that God's plan is geared towards ultimate deliverance and victory over sin and evil, making His wisdom impenetrable.
• on His head (עַל־רֹאשׁוֹ, ʿal-ro'shō): Emphasizes that His saving purpose fully encompasses His intellect and authority, guiding all His actions.
• He put on garments (וַיִּלְבַּשׁ בִּגְדֵי, va-yîlbaš bigdei): Again, the verb lavash and beged (garment/clothing) reiterates the intentional donning of specific attire. This signifies His preparation for a different aspect of His action.
• of vengeance (נָקָם, naqam): Retribution, recompense, justified repayment for wrongs committed. It is not presented as impulsive or emotional revenge, but as righteous, divinely ordained judgment to rectify injustice and uphold His moral order.
• for clothing (תִּלְבֹּשֶׁת, tilbōsheth): General attire, indicating that vengeance is not just an occasional act, but an integral, defining aspect of His appearance and action when dealing with unrighteousness.
• And was clad with (וַיַּעַט, va-ya'at): The verb ʿaṭah (עָטָה) implies being fully enveloped, wrapped around, or covered completely, suggesting an even deeper, more pervasive integration than simply "putting on."
• zeal (קִנְאָה, qin'a): Intense fervor, passion, often described as jealousy when God’s honor or covenant is threatened. It denotes His absolute intolerance for anything that defies His holiness and His unyielding commitment to His redemptive and judgmental purposes. It's a consuming fire of commitment.
• as a cloak (כַּמְעִיל, ka-meʿil): A loose, flowing outer garment or mantle, covering all else. This signifies that God's zeal permeates and governs all His actions, providing the overarching motive and visible expression of His intervention.

Words-group analysis

• He put on righteousness as a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head: This phrase vividly portrays God as prepared for battle, with righteousness providing the fundamental defense and core attribute of His action, while salvation encapsulates His ultimate strategic aim and protective wisdom. These are not merely passive traits but active, military-grade preparations for intervention.
• He put on garments of vengeance for clothing, And was clad with zeal as a cloak: These lines highlight the active and consuming nature of God's response to sin. Vengeance, a just recompense, becomes His public apparel, clearly indicating His intent to settle accounts. This entire action is driven by an all-encompassing zeal, a passionate commitment to uphold His own name, justice, and the covenant relationship.

Isaiah 59 17 Bonus section

This portrayal of God as a divine warrior has significant polemical implications. In a world with various gods of war, Yahweh is uniquely depicted as fighting for righteousness, justice, and salvation, rather than for territorial expansion or arbitrary power. His "armor" is composed of His moral attributes, setting Him apart from pagan deities whose actions were often capricious or self-serving. This verse also introduces a crucial concept: divine action is provoked by human inaction. When "no one to intercede" is found, God's personal, decisive intervention is the result. This concept foreshadows the Incarnation of Christ, where God's ultimate "arm" (Isa 59:16) takes human form to directly bring about salvation and fulfill all these roles of divine warrior and redeemer. The attributes described here are often echoed in the New Testament when believers are encouraged to put on the spiritual armor, modeling God's own protective and proactive spiritual readiness.

Isaiah 59 17 Commentary

Isaiah 59:17 offers a powerful and profound theological statement on God's active involvement in the world when human systems of justice and righteousness have failed entirely. Rather than withdrawing or delegating, God Himself takes on the role of the divine warrior. The metaphorical arming imagery conveys that His attributes—righteousness, salvation, vengeance, and zeal—are not abstract concepts but living, active forces deployed in battle. Righteousness is His fundamental, protective essence, ensuring all His judgments are just. Salvation is the goal of His redemptive plan, safeguarding His purpose. Vengeance, the rightful repayment for evil, is an essential garment, openly displaying His intent to rectify wrongs. This entire enterprise is cloaked in His fierce, unyielding zeal—a consuming passion for His holy name and His people, demonstrating that His commitment to justice and redemption knows no bounds. This verse ultimately declares God's self-sufficiency and uncompromised determination to set things right, ensuring that both justice and deliverance will be accomplished, for His own honor and the restoration of His creation.

• Example 1: When we feel overwhelmed by injustice in the world and believe no human solution is possible, this verse reminds us that God Himself takes up the mantle to bring justice and salvation.
• Example 2: For the believer facing systemic evil, this passage assures them that the God who 'puts on righteousness' is actively working towards ultimate restoration and will bring recompense to evil.