Isaiah 59 21

Isaiah 59:21 kjv

As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

Isaiah 59:21 nkjv

"As for Me," says the LORD, "this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants," says the LORD, "from this time and forevermore."

Isaiah 59:21 niv

"As for me, this is my covenant with them," says the LORD. "My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants?from this time on and forever," says the LORD.

Isaiah 59:21 esv

"And as for me, this is my covenant with them," says the LORD: "My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring," says the LORD, "from this time forth and forevermore."

Isaiah 59:21 nlt

"And this is my covenant with them," says the LORD. "My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you. They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children and your children's children forever. I, the LORD, have spoken!

Isaiah 59 verses

Isaiah 59 21 Meaning

Isaiah 59:21 presents a divine covenant where God personally guarantees the perpetual presence of His Spirit and His Word within His chosen people and their descendants through all generations. This solemn oath signifies an unbreakable, eternal commitment by God to maintain His intimate relationship and truth among a people identified by their turning from transgression, securing their spiritual continuity and the enduring transmission of divine revelation.

Isaiah 59 21 Context

Isaiah chapter 59 begins with a stark indictment of Israel's pervasive sin, which has created a separation between them and God. The people's hands are defiled with blood, and their fingers with iniquity; their lips speak lies. Justice and righteousness are utterly lacking, and corruption abounds (vv. 1-8). The chapter describes a deep spiritual darkness and acknowledges that their sins have prevented God's light and salvation from reaching them (vv. 9-15a). However, the narrative dramatically shifts. God observes the absence of human intercession and takes the initiative Himself (vv. 15b-16). He acts as a divine Warrior for justice, clothed in righteousness, salvation, vengeance, and zeal, promising judgment for His adversaries and salvation for Zion (vv. 17-19). This leads directly to verse 20, which declares: "The Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those in Jacob who turn from transgression," marking a pivotal turning point of divine grace and restoration. Verse 21, therefore, serves as the divine covenantal promise that solidifies this redemption, establishing its lasting nature through the Spirit and the Word. It represents God's solemn pledge of a New Covenant, guaranteeing the enduring presence of His life-giving Spirit and revelatory Word within a restored remnant and their successive generations, an enduring relationship beyond any previous covenant's limitations. There's an indirect polemic against any notion that human failing can permanently thwart God's ultimate plan or His commitment to His promises for a righteous remnant.

Isaiah 59 21 Word analysis

• As for Me: Signifies God's personal initiative and sovereign will. It emphasizes that this covenant is purely a divine act, not predicated on human merit or action.
• this is My covenant: "My covenant" (Hebrew: bĕrîtî, בְּרִיתִי). A bĕrît is a solemn, binding agreement. Here, God defines the terms, establishing a unique and powerful relationship. This covenant speaks to the New Covenant promised in Jer 31, which finds its fulfillment through Christ.
• with them: Refers to "those in Jacob who turn from transgression" (Isa 59:20), indicating a distinct spiritual group within Israel, a faithful remnant who embrace repentance and God's redemption. It is not indiscriminately with all of Jacob biologically.
• says the Lord: Reaffirms divine authority and the binding nature of the declaration. It ensures the trustworthiness and certainty of the promise.
• My Spirit: (Hebrew: ruaḥî, רוּחִי). God's Spirit is His active, life-giving, and empowering presence. It refers to the Holy Spirit, who indwells believers and enables spiritual understanding and witness.
• who is upon you: Denotes both empowerment (like in prophetic unction or for specific tasks) and an abiding presence, which later New Testament understanding reveals as indwelling for believers. This implies an anointing and commissioning.
• and My words: (Hebrew: ûdĕbaray, וּדְבָרַי). Refers to divine revelation, truth, commandments, and the prophetic message itself. These are not human opinions but the very utterances of God.
• which I have put in your mouth: Implies divine inspiration and entrustment of the message. The Word is not only for internal knowledge but for external proclamation.
• shall not depart: (Hebrew: lō' yāsûrû, לֹא יָסוּרוּ). A powerful double negative affirming absolute permanence and continuity. This is a guarantee of divine fidelity and the lasting nature of His presence and truth.
• from your mouth: The Word will continue to be spoken, confessed, and taught. It signifies active transmission and proclamation of truth.
• nor from the mouth of your offspring: Refers to the immediate next generation, indicating generational transmission of faith. "Offspring" here (Hebrew: zar'ĕkā, זַרְעֶךָ) signifies descendants.
• nor from the mouth of your offspring’s offspring: Extends the promise to all subsequent generations indefinitely. It emphasizes a lineage of faith that transcends biological succession alone, pointing to a spiritual legacy.
• says the Lord: Repeats the authoritative affirmation for emphasis and certainty.
• from this time forth: Indicates the immediate commencement and active establishment of this covenant.
• and forevermore: (Hebrew: wĕʻad-ʻôlām, וְעַד עוֹלָם). Signifies eternal duration, absolute perpetuity without end. It underlines the unconditional and irrevocable nature of this divine pledge.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "As for Me, this is My covenant with them," says the Lord: This opening phrase highlights God's sovereignty and His unwavering commitment. He initiates this covenant and defines its terms, underscoring its divine origin and power, independent of human fluctuation.
• "My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth,": This parallel structure reveals the two essential, interconnected elements of the new covenant relationship: the divine presence (Spirit) and the divine revelation (Word). They work in tandem; the Spirit illuminates the Word, and the Word provides the content for the Spirit-led message.
• "shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,": This threefold repetition emphatically guarantees the perpetual and generational transmission of God's truth. It speaks to both the indwelling of the Spirit and the proclamation of the Word, ensuring a living legacy of faith that spans across time through a believing lineage, not merely a biological one. This ensures that the message of God is actively kept and passed on.
• "from this time forth and forevermore": These concluding phrases lock the promise into an eternal timeframe, indicating its immediate inception and limitless duration. This covenant is not temporary but a permanent fixture in God's redemptive plan, securing spiritual continuity and unwavering divine presence through all ages.

Isaiah 59 21 Bonus section

This covenant is often understood as proto-New Covenant language, foretelling a profound shift from a covenant primarily based on external law and ritual to one characterized by internal transformation, spiritual presence, and an eternally preserved truth. The "you" and "them" in the verse expand in New Testament understanding to include not only believing Jews but also Gentiles grafted into the covenant people through Christ (Rom 11). The Holy Spirit's role here is crucial, moving from sporadic anointing of prophets and leaders in the Old Testament to a continuous indwelling and empowering presence for all believers, ensuring their ability to know, keep, and proclaim God's Word. This promise underlines the invincibility of God's plan and the enduring legacy of faith for all who embrace Him.

Isaiah 59 21 Commentary

Isaiah 59:21 is a powerful affirmation of God's covenant faithfulness and the enduring nature of His relationship with His people. Following a severe indictment of sin and God's subsequent intervention as Redeemer, this verse provides the foundational promise of the New Covenant for those who turn from transgression. It identifies two intrinsic, divinely bestowed elements ensuring this covenant's perpetual nature: God's indwelling and empowering Spirit, and His revealed Word placed within the people to be proclaimed. This isn't just about an internal spiritual experience; it explicitly includes the speaking and transmission of God's truth from one generation to the next. The repetition of "mouth" and the extension to "offspring" and "offspring's offspring" underscore the unbroken continuity of the divine presence and the verbal testimony of truth throughout a believing lineage. It is God's sovereign act, an unbreakable guarantee that His truth and empowering presence will never cease among those dedicated to Him, enduring from the moment it begins through all eternity.

• Practical Example: A parent, guided by the Holy Spirit, teaches their child biblical truths (God's words), explaining scripture and praying together. This is a micro-example of the Spirit and Word being passed from one generation to the next, just as the verse promises this will continue through the spiritual "offspring."