Isaiah 59 2

Isaiah 59:2 kjv

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Isaiah 59:2 nkjv

But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

Isaiah 59:2 niv

But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

Isaiah 59:2 esv

but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Isaiah 59:2 nlt

It's your sins that have cut you off from God.
Because of your sins, he has turned away
and will not listen anymore.

Isaiah 59 verses

Isaiah 59 2 Meaning

This verse states unequivocally that human sin creates an impassable barrier between people and their holy God. It explains why divine intervention and blessings may seem absent, clarifying that God's power is not diminished, but rather, the people's "iniquities" actively separate them from Him, and their "sins" cause Him to conceal His presence, resulting in Him not responding to their pleas or prayers. It underscores the profound relational and spiritual consequences of rebellion against a righteous God.

Isaiah 59 2 Context

Isaiah 59:2 follows a strong affirmation of God's power in verse 1, which states that the LORD's arm is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. Verse 2 immediately counters any potential misconception that God is either unable or unwilling to act, directly attributing the problem to the people's moral failing. The chapter describes the pervasive wickedness of the people, listing numerous acts of injustice, deceit, and violence, such as shedding innocent blood and speaking lies (Isa 59:3-8). Their actions are likened to weaving a spider's web, producing venomous eggs, and being blind and stumbling in the darkness, all pointing to a society deeply entrenched in unrighteousness (Isa 59:5, 9-10). This moral decay had reached such a point that the very ideals of justice and righteousness were absent, causing God to look on with displeasure (Isa 59:14-15). The historical context implies a people grappling with the consequences of their disobedience, possibly during or after the Babylonian exile, wondering why God's promised deliverance had not fully manifested or why their prayers seemed unheard. The verse serves as a crucial theological explanation for their plight.

Isaiah 59 2 Word analysis

• But (כִּי `ki`): This conjunctive particle introduces a strong contrast. It signals that despite God's clear ability to save and hear (as stated in v.1), there's a significant, opposing factor at play.
• your iniquities (עֲוֹנֹֽתֵיכֶם `avonoteykhem`): A plural noun derived from `avon` (עָוֹן), which denotes twistedness, perversity, guilt, and the penal consequence of sin. It often emphasizes intentional deviation from moral standards, an active distortion of righteousness that incurs culpability.
• have separated (הִבְדִּ֗לוּ `hivdilu`): This is a Hiphil (causative) perfect verb from the root `badal` (בָּדַל), meaning "to divide, separate, distinguish." The Hiphil voice highlights that the iniquities are the active agents causing the separation. It's an intentional and effective act performed by the sins themselves.
• between you and your God (בֵּינֵיכֶם֙ לְבֵ֣ין אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם `beyneykhem lebeyn Eloheykhem`): Clearly identifies the two parties involved in the relational rift. "Your God" emphasizes the covenant relationship that is being fractured, making the separation even more tragic and contrary to His nature as their Redeemer.
• and your sins (וְחַטֹּאתֵיכֶ֖ם `vechatotechem`): A plural noun from `chatta'ah` (חַטָּאָה), meaning "missing the mark," failing to meet a standard, often a broader term than `avon` covering a range of transgressions, both deliberate and unwitting, that fall short of God's perfect will.
• have hid (הִסְתִּ֥ירוּ `histiru`): Another Hiphil (causative) perfect verb, from the root `satar` (סָתַר), meaning "to hide, conceal." Like "separated," this actively shows the sins are the direct cause of God's "face" being hidden. It is not God hiding from an innocent party, but from a guilty one.
• his face (פָּנִ֛ים `panim`): A significant idiom in the Old Testament representing God's active presence, favor, benevolence, and direct attention. To hide one's face often signifies withdrawing favor, ignoring, or showing displeasure.
• from you (מִכֶּ֖ם `mikchem`): Specifies the recipient of this withdrawal of divine presence; it's from the sinful people.
• that he will not hear (מִשְּׁמוֹעַ `mishmo'a`): This construction using `mem` (מִ) with an infinitive indicates "from hearing," thus expressing the consequence or result: the hiding of God's face directly leads to Him not hearing. The root `shama` (שָׁמַע) means to hear, listen, and often implies to obey or respond favorably. In this context, it signifies an unresponsive silence from God regarding their prayers or cries for help.

• "But your iniquities have separated...": This phrase places direct responsibility on the people's moral failings. The active nature of "separated" highlights that sin isn't passive but a force that actively creates spiritual distance.
• "...between you and your God...": Emphasizes the disruption of the intimate covenant relationship. It is not merely separation from some abstract deity, but from "your God" – the one who is supposed to be intimately involved in their lives.
• "...and your sins have hid his face from you...": Reinforces the causative link. "His face" denotes God's active, benevolent presence. When His face is hidden, His blessings, favor, and attentiveness are withdrawn from the people.
• "...that he will not hear": The ultimate practical consequence of this divine-human rift is a cessation of meaningful communication and divine responsiveness. Their petitions, once welcomed in a state of righteousness, are now ignored due to their persistent sin.

Isaiah 59 2 Bonus section

The doubling of terms, "iniquities" and "sins," serves to amplify the pervasive and multifaceted nature of human wrongdoing. "Iniquities" often refers to the moral bent or depravity, the twisting of what is right, carrying a strong sense of guilt and culpability. "Sins" can be a broader term, encompassing any failure to meet God's standard, whether intentional or unintentional, whether through action or omission. Together, they form a comprehensive picture of human failure to conform to God's holy character. The verse also lays crucial theological groundwork for the later New Testament understanding of humanity's total depravity and the absolute need for a mediator, Jesus Christ, who through His atoning sacrifice, bridges the gap that our "iniquities and sins" create. He is the one whose righteousness makes it possible for God's face to be seen again and for prayers to be heard (Rom 5:1-2, Heb 10:19-22).

Isaiah 59 2 Commentary

Isaiah 59:2 powerfully clarifies that human sin, rather than divine weakness, is the fundamental obstacle to God's intervention and communion. Despite the LORD's limitless capacity to save and listen, the multifaceted corruption of humanity—encompassed by "iniquities" (twisted perversity leading to guilt) and "sins" (missing God's mark of righteousness)—actively severs the connection between the people and their covenant God. This isn't merely a passive estrangement; sin energetically erects a barrier and causes God to withdraw the warmth of His active presence, preventing Him from acknowledging or responding to their prayers. It emphasizes that a holy God cannot abide in close fellowship with unrighteousness, demonstrating His righteous character and the grave spiritual ramifications of disobedience, ultimately preparing the ground for the necessity of a divine solution for such a deep-seated problem.