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 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 59:7 | Their feet run to evil... | Judgment and distress follow wicked ways |
| Rom 3:15-18 | Their feet are swift to shed blood... No one seeks God. | Humanity's universal sinfulness |
| Jer 12:6 | They have crooked paths... | God's people going astray |
| Prov 2:15 | Their crooked ways are an abomination to the LORD. | Disapproval of wicked paths |
| Job 18:14 | God will drag him from his tent, the source of his life. | Consequences of wickedness |
| Luke 1:79 | To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. | The darkness where righteousness is absent |
| John 1:5 | The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. | The world's inability to grasp God's light |
| Isa 5:20 | Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil... | Perversion of morality |
| Jer 4:22 | They have not known me; they are foolish children... | Lack of divine knowledge |
| Hos 4:6 | My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. | The cost of spiritual ignorance |
| Ps 36:3 | They are puffed up in their own eyes, that no one hates their iniquity. | Pride and self-deception |
| Ps 5:4 | For you are not a God who delights in wickedness... | God's character is against evil |
| Ps 50:18 | If you see a thief, you are pleased with him... | Association with wrongdoers |
| Prov 28:9 | Whoever turns a deaf ear to instruction... | Rejection of wisdom |
| Ezek 18:29 | "Is my way uneven, or are not your ways uneven?" | God's impartiality and human blame |
| Mic 3:2 | Who hate good and love evil. | A characteristic of unjust rulers |
| Acts 13:10 | "O full of all deceit and all villainy..." | Paul's denunciation of Elymas |
| Eph 4:18 | darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them. | Spiritual blindness |
| 1 John 2:11 | Whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness. | The spiritual consequences of hatred |
| Deut 28:29 | You shall grope at noon as a blind man gropes in the dark. | A curse for disobedience |
| Amos 5:24 | But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. | The ideal of justice and righteousness |
| Rom 1:21 | For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him. | Professed knowledge but not practice |
| Titus 1:16 | They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. | Hypocrisy of knowing God |
Isaiah 59 verses
Isaiah 59 8 Meaning
The path of justice is unknown; the way of righteousness is not found. Wickedness prevails where understanding should be, leading to suffering and distress for all.
Isaiah 59 8 Context
Chapter 59 of Isaiah depicts a stark contrast between God's character and the corrupt state of His people. The preceding verses (Isa 59:1-6) detail the widespread sin and injustice among them, highlighting how their transgressions have separated them from God. This verse (Isa 59:8) serves as a somber description of the consequence of this widespread sinfulness – a complete loss of moral direction and adherence to God's ways. The original audience, the people of Judah during a time of spiritual and national crisis, would understand this depiction as a direct result of their unfaithfulness. The chapter continues to explore the ramifications of sin and God's eventual plan for redemption.
Isaiah 59 8 Word Analysis
- וְדֶרֶךְ (wəḏereḵ): And the way/path. "Waw" (וְ) signifies "and," linking this statement to the preceding one, indicating a continuation of describing the corrupted state. "Derekh" implies a way of life, conduct, or journey.
- שָׁלוֹם (šālōm): Peace/completeness/welfare. Here, it refers to well-being, security, and the orderly state that comes from following God's path. The absence of this peace signifies total disruption.
- אֵינֶנּוּ (ʾênennû): There is none/it is not. Emphasizes the complete lack and absence of this path of peace.
- וּנְתִיבַת (ū nəṯîḇaṯ): And a path/track. Similar to "derekh" but can imply a more defined route or trail, highlighting the absence of even established ways of righteousness. The "waw" connects this absence to the previous one.
- צֶדֶק (ṣeḏeq): Righteousness/justice. Refers to adherence to God's standards, moral uprightness, and fairness.
- לֹא־נוֹדַעְתָּה (lō-nōḏaʿtâ): Is not known/has not been made known. Indicates a state of ignorance or willful disregard for what is righteous and just. The passive voice suggests it's a general condition rather than active suppression by one entity.
- וּקְרֹבֵי (ūqərōḇê): And those who approach/are near. Refers to those who should be close to God, perhaps leaders or the faithful, who have instead moved away.
- לֹא־יַשְׂגִּיחֽוּ׃ (lō-yaśgîḥû): Do not pay attention/consider. A strong verb indicating a deliberate turning away from, a lack of regard for, or even hostility towards the path of righteousness.
Words-group Analysis
- "The way of peace is not known": This phrase encapsulates the loss of a divinely ordered and secure existence. Peace here is more than just the absence of conflict; it's holistic well-being achieved through right living aligned with God's will.
- "and the path of righteousness has not been found": This reinforces the pervasive nature of sin, showing that not only is there no peace, but the very channels or routes to attain righteousness have been lost or ignored.
- "and those who are near do not pay attention": This group's negligence is particularly egregious. They, who ought to be guiding or living by godly principles, are actively disregarding them, contributing to the general state of unrighteousness.
Isaiah 59 8 Bonus Section
The concept of "peace" (shalom) in Isaiah is often linked to a covenantal relationship with God. When that relationship is broken by sin, shalom is lost. The verse echoes the sentiment in Romans 3:17, where the apostle Paul quotes Isaiah 59:7-8 to illustrate that humanity's downfall is universal: "For 'no one is righteous, not even one; no one is attentive, no one seeks God.'" This highlights how deeply entrenched this state of being "off the path" has become in the human condition, making divine intervention necessary for redemption and the reestablishment of God's righteous ways. The verse speaks to a pervasive spiritual blindness that affects understanding and behavior, leading to consequences that impact individuals and society at large.
Isaiah 59 8 Commentary
This verse paints a bleak picture of spiritual and moral decay. It signifies a generation or a people who have lost their bearings, their moral compass shattered. The paths that lead to well-being and adherence to God's just commands are obscure or entirely neglected. This loss is not passive; it's often the result of active turning away from truth. Those in positions of closeness or responsibility within the community have failed to recognize or value these righteous ways, exacerbating the widespread societal unrighteousness described in the preceding verses. This absence of peace and righteousness is a direct consequence of straying from God's intended order.