Isaiah 59 8

Isaiah 59:8 kjv

The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.

Isaiah 59:8 nkjv

The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace.

Isaiah 59:8 niv

The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace.

Isaiah 59:8 esv

The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths; they have made their roads crooked; no one who treads on them knows peace.

Isaiah 59:8 nlt

They don't know where to find peace
or what it means to be just and good.
They have mapped out crooked roads,
and no one who follows them knows a moment's peace.

Isaiah 59 verses

Isaiah 59 8 Meaning

Isaiah 59:8 succinctly describes a people whose chosen way of life is devoid of genuine peace and equity. They lack the experiential knowledge of true well-being (shalom) because their patterns of life and daily actions are inherently unjust and contrary to God's standards (mishpat). Through their deliberate choices, they have twisted the straight paths of righteousness into crooked ones, ensuring that anyone who follows such a course will likewise be estranged from authentic peace.

Isaiah 59 8 Context

Isaiah chapter 59 serves as a stark rebuttal to the people's implied accusation that God is unable or unwilling to save them (v. 1). The prophet declares unequivocally that it is their sins and iniquities that have created a profound separation between them and God (v. 2). He then elaborates on their moral corruption, detailing acts of violence, deceit, injustice, and perversity that permeate their society (v. 3-8). Verse 8 acts as a summary of the direct result of these widespread transgressions: an experiential lack of shalom (wholeness, well-being) and a fundamental absence of mishpat (justice, righteous order) in their everyday conduct. The verse portrays their active rejection of God's moral guidelines, which inevitably leads to disarray and a denial of true peace for themselves and anyone caught in their sphere of influence. This indictment sets the stage for the people's eventual confession of sin (v. 9-15) and God's promise of redemptive intervention (v. 16-21).

Isaiah 59 8 Word analysis

• The way of peace (דֶּרֶךְ שָׁלוֹם, derekh shalom)

  • Derekh (דֶּרֶךְ): More than just a physical road; it often signifies a lifestyle, a course of conduct, or a moral journey. It refers to the established pattern or direction of one's life.
  • Shalom (שָׁלוֹם): This word is profound and multifaceted. It means much more than merely the absence of conflict. Shalom encompasses completeness, soundness, wholeness, well-being, prosperity, security, and harmonious relationships, both with God and with others. It implies a state of being in proper alignment and right relationship.
  • Significance: The phrase points to a comprehensive state of human flourishing that is missing from their experience, because their fundamental orientation in life is not aligned with God's principles.

• they know not (לֹא יָדְעוּ, lo yadev'u)

  • Yada (יָדַע): "To know." This isn't merely intellectual recognition but often implies deep, intimate, experiential, and relational knowledge or understanding. It suggests personal acquaintance and involvement.
  • Significance: Their ignorance is not accidental; it suggests an active non-engagement or even a willful refusal to recognize and walk in the true way of peace. They haven't experienced it because they've chosen other paths.

• and there is no justice (וְאֵין מִשְׁפָּט, v'ein mishpat)

  • Ein (אֵין): "There is no," "none exists." A strong negation.
  • Mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט): "Justice," "judgment," "equity," "righteous order," "right ruling." It refers to upholding God's righteous standards in society, ensuring fair treatment for all, particularly the vulnerable.
  • Significance: The absence of true peace is intrinsically linked to the absence of right conduct in society. Where mishpat is lacking or perverted, shalom cannot truly flourish. Their habitual ways lack moral rectitude.

• in their paths (בְּמַעְגְּלֹתָם, b'magg'lotam)

  • Ma'agal (מַעְגָּל): "Track," "circuit," "path." It refers to established, habitual courses or routines that are regularly traversed.
  • Significance: This emphasizes that the lack of justice is embedded within their customary conduct and the consistent direction of their lives. It's not an isolated flaw, but a systemic issue in their community.

• they have made them crooked paths (נְתִיבוֹתֵיהֶם עִקְּשׁוּ, n'tivoteihem ik'shu)

  • Netivah (נְתִיבָה): "Path," "road," similar to derekh but can imply a well-worn track or lane.
  • Ikkesh (עִקְּשׁוּ): The verb form of the root meaning "twisted," "perverse," "crooked." Ikkeshu means "they have made crooked" or "they have twisted."
  • Significance: This powerfully asserts the people's moral agency and responsibility. They are not passively stumbling; they actively, intentionally pervert and twist what should be straightforward and righteous ways. Their paths are self-created distortions of God's truth.

• whosoever goeth therein (כָּל בָּא בָהּ, kol ba vah)

  • Kol (כָּל): "All," "every," "whoever." Implies universality.
  • Ba (בָּא): "Comes," "enters," "goes."
  • Significance: This phrase underscores a profound warning: the consequences of these crooked paths are not limited to their originators. Anyone who chooses to participate in, or simply follow, such ways will inevitably suffer the same negative outcomes.

• shall not know peace (לֹא יֵדַע שָׁלוֹם, lo yeda shalom)

  • Yeda (יֵדַע): Future/imperfect form of yada, "shall know."
  • Shalom (שָׁלוֹם): As described above.
  • Significance: This concludes the verse with an emphatic reiteration and prediction. It is a certain consequence. Just as they themselves do not experientially know the way of peace, so too anyone who continues in these crooked ways will never experience true shalom. The outcome is assured and universally applicable to those who follow perversity.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "The way of peace they know not; and there is no justice in their paths": This pairing clearly establishes a fundamental, dual deficiency. Their entire approach to life (derekh) lacks shalom (wholistic well-being), and their concrete actions and societal patterns (ma'agalotam) are devoid of mishpat (justice). This highlights that peace and justice are interdependent and cannot genuinely exist in isolation.
• "they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.": This second half focuses on the cause and consequence. The active voice, "they have made," attributes direct moral responsibility to the people for choosing perverse ways. The universality ("whosoever goeth therein") coupled with the repetition of "shall not know peace" solidifies the inevitable, widespread, and dire outcome of pursuing unrighteous, twisted paths.

Isaiah 59 8 Bonus section

• This verse is a pivotal statement within Isaiah 59's theological argument. The people believe God's arm is too short or His ear too heavy (v. 1), essentially blaming God for their suffering. Verse 8, alongside others, clarifies that their sins are the impenetrable barrier, not God's inability. It sets up the profound theological point that the fault for separation and suffering lies squarely with humanity's chosen way of living.
• The Apostle Paul extensively quotes and echoes Isaiah 59:7-8 in Rom 3:15-17 to underscore the universal fallenness of both Jew and Gentile, demonstrating that all humanity is enslaved by sin and separated from righteousness. By applying Isaiah's indictment of Israel's lack of peace and justice to the broader human condition, Paul establishes the necessity of God's solution through Christ. This New Testament usage highlights the enduring theological relevance of Isaiah's original prophecy beyond its immediate historical context.
• The imagery of "crooked paths" (נְתִיבוֹת עִקְּשׁוּ) frequently appears in biblical wisdom literature, especially Proverbs, where it consistently contrasts with the "straight" or "right" paths of Godly wisdom. This recurring motif reinforces the idea that life choices have direct, predictable outcomes, with perversity inevitably leading to destruction, while uprightness leads to life and peace.

Isaiah 59 8 Commentary

Isaiah 59:8 presents a somber divine assessment of humanity's departure from God's righteous design. It is a powerful diagnosis: people are alienated from true shalom – that holistic state of well-being, completeness, and peace that arises from a right relationship with God and others – because they have abandoned mishpat, the pursuit of justice and righteous order in their lives and society. Their chosen 'paths' are not merely flawed but deliberately twisted and made crooked, implying active rebellion or persistent neglect of God's straightforward directives. This distortion in their moral compass inevitably leads to turmoil and a cyclical denial of peace. The verse emphasizes that such an outcome is not random, but a direct consequence, warning that anyone who adopts these perverse ways will find themselves trapped in the same unpeaceful state. It powerfully illustrates that genuine, lasting peace is inextricably linked to righteousness and justice as defined by God.

• Example: A nation built on systemic corruption, despite outward displays of prosperity or stability, will find its people living in underlying fear, division, and an ongoing absence of true national peace.
• Example: An individual who continually employs deceit and manipulation to get ahead, rather than truth and integrity, may achieve material gain but will be perpetually plagued by mistrust, isolation, and inner disquiet, lacking true tranquility.