Isaiah 59:19 kjv
So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
Isaiah 59:19 nkjv
So shall they fear The name of the LORD from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.
Isaiah 59:19 niv
From the west, people will fear the name of the LORD, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the LORD drives along.
Isaiah 59:19 esv
So they shall fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the LORD drives.
Isaiah 59:19 nlt
In the west, people will respect the name of the LORD;
in the east, they will glorify him.
For he will come like a raging flood tide
driven by the breath of the LORD.
Isaiah 59 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 31:8 | Against the Assyrians. | God’s protective power |
| Psalm 18:16 | He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. | Deliverance |
| Psalm 27:5 | For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion. | God as refuge |
| Psalm 46:1 | God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. | God as refuge |
| Psalm 61:4 | I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will be secure in the covert of thy wings. | God as refuge |
| Psalm 91:4 | He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust. | God’s protective power |
| Isaiah 8:14 | And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel. | Jesus as sanctuary/stumbling block |
| Isaiah 11:10 | And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall be for an ensign of the people. | Jesus as an ensign |
| Isaiah 14:32 | What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That Jehovah hath founded Zion, and in her shall the afflicted of his people trust. | Zion as a refuge |
| Isaiah 49:22 | Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the peoples. | God’s outreach to Gentiles |
| Isaiah 59:16 | 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 upheld him. | God’s self-sufficiency in salvation |
| Isaiah 60:3 | And Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. | Ingathering of nations |
| Jeremiah 14:8 | O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of affliction, why wilt thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night? | God as hope/savior |
| Nahum 1:15 | For they shall soon be cut off that remain in the same place, but the end of the Lord is with an overflowing flood, and he will not fail to make his rage against his enemies. | God’s judgment/overflowing flood |
| Matthew 7:25 | And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. | Wise builder, secure foundation |
| John 10:29 | My Father, which hath given them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. | God’s protective power |
| Romans 8:31 | What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? | God’s support |
| Ephesians 6:11 | Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. | Spiritual armor |
| Ephesians 6:13 | Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. | Spiritual armor |
| 1 Peter 5:8 | Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. | The adversary |
| Revelation 12:15 | And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. | Serpent's attack |
| Revelation 17:15 | And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. | Waters representing peoples/nations |
Isaiah 59 verses
Isaiah 59 19 Meaning
When the adversary shall come in like a flood, Jehovah of hosts shall lift up a standard against him. This verse paints a picture of divine intervention and victory over oppressive forces. The flood symbolizes overwhelming adversity and attacks, while the lifted standard represents God's active opposition and provision of a safe refuge and rallying point for His people.
Isaiah 59 19 Context
Isaiah 59 describes a period of national apostasy and the resulting suffering of God's people due to their sin. The people cry out to God for deliverance, confessing their iniquities. Verse 19 marks a transition within the chapter. After lamenting the nation's wickedness and God’s apparent absence, the prophet shifts to a message of future hope and divine redemption. It speaks to the people's present suffering under oppressive powers or, more broadly, the constant onslaught of evil in the world, but promises that God will ultimately intervene decisively. This promise sets the stage for the prophetic vision of the Redeemer in the following verses (Isaiah 59:20-21), which is widely understood to point to the Messiah.
Isaiah 59 19 Word Analysis
- "When": This indicates a specific, though possibly not immediate, future time.
- "the adversary": Hebrew: tsar. Refers to a narrow place, distress, enemy, oppressor, adversary. In this context, it signifies a formidable enemy or force that causes distress and oppression. This can be interpreted in a historical sense as well as in a spiritual sense.
- "shall come in": Hebrew: yabó (from bo). To come, go, bring, enter. It implies an invasion or forceful entry.
- "like a flood": Hebrew: ketsabbael. Like an overflowing stream, a river in flood, a deluge. This vividly portrays the overwhelming and destructive nature of the adversity. It signifies something that threatens to consume everything.
- "the Spirit of Jehovah of hosts": Hebrew: ruach YHWH tseva'ot. Ruach means spirit, breath, wind. Tseba'ot means hosts, armies, warfare. This refers to the powerful, active, and omnipotent presence and power of God. It signifies divine power in action.
- "shall lift up": Hebrew: yissa. To lift, raise, bear, carry, exalt. It implies raising a banner or standard as a signal or rallying point.
- "a standard": Hebrew: nes. A banner, signal, ensign, pole, lifting up. It symbolizes a rallying point, a declaration of opposition, and a banner of victory. It signifies a visible sign of God's presence and action against the enemy.
- "against him": Refers back to "the adversary."
Word Group Analysis:
- "come in like a flood": This imagery is common in biblical descriptions of overwhelming enemies or judgments (e.g., Jeremiah 46:8). It emphasizes the force and totality of the attack.
- "the Spirit of Jehovah of hosts": This is a crucial phrase. It highlights that the opposition to the adversary comes not merely from human strength but from the divine power of God, actively engaged on behalf of His people. "Jehovah of hosts" emphasizes God's supreme authority and command over all spiritual and earthly forces.
- "lift up a standard": This action signifies God’s active intervention and leadership. It’s a declaration that God stands with and fights for His people, providing a visible point of hope and refuge in the midst of the onslaught. It implies mobilization, protection, and eventual victory.
Isaiah 59 19 Bonus Section
The concept of "lifting up a standard" is deeply symbolic. In ancient warfare, standards were vital for troop morale, identification, and command. God’s standard signifies His authority, His presence, and His strategy. It’s not just a passive defense but an active counter-offense. The adversary's flood represents not only political or military threats but also spiritual assaults, temptations, and ideologies that seek to overwhelm faith. This verse, fulfilled in the reign of the Messiah, assures believers that no spiritual onslaught can ultimately defeat those who put their trust in the Lord. The "flood" can also be understood in a positive sense of God's grace and blessing, as described in other "flood" passages.
Isaiah 59 19 Commentary
Isaiah 59:19 offers a powerful assurance that God is not oblivious to the suffering of His people when they are attacked by overwhelming forces, represented by a flood. Even when circumstances seem dire and a formidable adversary threatens to engulf everything, the "Spirit of Jehovah of hosts" will rise up. This verse speaks of God’s active and supernatural intervention. He will provide a "standard"—a rallying point, a banner of victory, and a symbol of His protective presence. This standard signifies that the battle belongs to the Lord, and His power is superior to any earthly or spiritual threat. It is a promise of hope and ultimate triumph, foreshadowing the work of the Messiah, who is Himself called an "ensign" (Isaiah 11:10) and who ultimately defeats all opposing forces. The believer, though facing intense spiritual warfare and pressures that can feel like a flood, can rest assured that God is present and will provide the means for overcoming, leading them to victory under His banner.