Isaiah 63 15

Isaiah 63:15 kjv

Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?

Isaiah 63:15 nkjv

Look down from heaven, And see from Your habitation, holy and glorious. Where are Your zeal and Your strength, The yearning of Your heart and Your mercies toward me? Are they restrained?

Isaiah 63:15 niv

Look down from heaven and see, from your lofty throne, holy and glorious. Where are your zeal and your might? Your tenderness and compassion are withheld from us.

Isaiah 63:15 esv

Look down from heaven and see, from your holy and beautiful habitation. Where are your zeal and your might? The stirring of your inner parts and your compassion are held back from me.

Isaiah 63:15 nlt

LORD, look down from heaven;
look from your holy, glorious home, and see us.
Where is the passion and the might
you used to show on our behalf?
Where are your mercy and compassion now?

Isaiah 63 verses

Isaiah 63 15 Meaning

Isaiah 63:15 expresses a profound and intense plea from Israel, acknowledging God's majestic presence in heaven while simultaneously lamenting their desolate state on earth. It portrays a yearning for God's visible power and compassionate intervention, comparing His dwelling to a sanctuary on high and contrasting it with the apparent absence of His usual mercy and mighty acts for His people, who are described as "bereaved" or "desolate."

Isaiah 63 15 Context

This verse appears in Isaiah chapter 63, which describes the powerful return of the Lord from crushing His enemies, specifically symbolized by His crimson-stained garments from the battle at Bozrah. The prophet is reflecting on God's redemptive judgment. Following this display of power, the people of Israel, in their present state of exile and suffering, cry out to God. The cry in verse 15 transitions from a recollection of God's past mighty deeds to a direct petition. It captures the feeling of a people looking towards their distant, exalted God in heaven, while feeling utterly forsaken and in deep distress on earth, possibly referencing the desolation and captivity experienced by the nation. The surrounding verses speak of God's remembrance of His people and His eagerness to intervene because of His steadfast love and compassion, painting a picture of Israel's yearning for this active presence amidst their tribulation.

Isaiah 63 15 Word Analysis

• "Look down":
  • Hebrew: rəḏû (redû) - imperative plural of rāḏâ (rada), meaning to go down, descend. In this context, it signifies God's compassionate regard or gaze from a higher position.
• "from heaven":
  • Hebrew: mîšāmāyim (mi-shamayim) - from the heavens. Emphasizes God's dwelling place as transcendent and above human affairs, yet approachable by prayer.
• "your holy and beautiful habitation":
  • Hebrew: me‘ōn qoḏĕḵā wěyip‘ĕḵā (me’on qodshekha weyip‘ekha)
    • me‘ōn (me’on): dwelling place, habitation, abode. Suggests a place of residence, often associated with divinity or great beings.
    • qoḏĕḵā (qodshekha): your holiness, your sanctuary. Denotes God's holiness, His separate and pure nature.
    • wěyip‘ĕḵā (weyip‘ekha): and your beauty, your glory. Refers to God's splendor, His magnificent appearance or dwelling.
• "Where":
  • Hebrew: ‘āyē (‘ayeh) - Where. Introduces a question expressing longing or bewilderment.
• "is":
  • Hebrew: ĕn (en) - is not. Implies absence.
• "your zeal and your might":
  • Hebrew: qin‘āṯḵā wĕ‘ĕzraṯḵā (qina’atkhah we‘ezratchah)
    • qin‘āṯḵā (qina’atkhah): your zeal, your jealousy. Refers to God's passionate commitment to His covenant and people, and His righteous anger against sin and opposition.
    • wĕ‘ĕzraṯḵā (we‘ezratchah): and your strength, your might, your mightiness. Denotes God's power and ability to act.
• "the sounding of your bowels and your compassion":
  • Hebrew: həmon rĕḥamêḵā (hemôn rechamēkha)
    • həmon (hemôn): the sounding, rumbling, tumult, great noise. Here it denotes the deep, resonant stirrings of God's affection.
    • rĕḥamêḵā (rechamēkha): your compassion, your mercy, your bowels. Refers to God's tender mercies, His deep emotional responsiveness, His innermost feelings of compassion. The word 'rechem' literally refers to the womb, emphasizing the intimate and nurturing nature of God's love.
• "are they restrained from me?":
  • Hebrew: bî‘elêy (bi‘lêy) - held back, restrained. Implies a withholding or suppression of God's natural feelings and actions towards His people.

Isaiah 63 15 Bonus Section

The contrast between God's glorious, immutable dwelling in heaven and the perceived stillness of His powerful compassion on earth highlights a central tension in Israel's experience of exile and suffering. It's a cry that resonates through many of David's psalms, where he often appeals to God's character and past faithfulness during times of distress. The use of "sounding bowels" is particularly poignant, emphasizing that God's mercy is not a passive quality but an active, deep-seated emotion that ought to be stirred for His people. This verse, therefore, serves as a prayer for God to "turn back" or re-engage with His people in a demonstrable way, rooted in His essential character of love and power. It anticipates the New Testament revelation of God's active compassion poured out through Christ.

Isaiah 63 15 Commentary

This verse captures a profound spiritual cry from a people who know God's character and power, yet feel estranged from His tangible intervention. They address God in His heavenly dwelling, a place of perfect holiness and beauty, acknowledging His supreme transcendence. However, this recognition is juxtaposed with a desperate question: where is the visible manifestation of His fervent zeal and overwhelming power? They plead for the outward expressions of His deeply held compassions and mercies, feeling as though these divine attributes have been held back from them in their time of extreme need. The imagery of God's "sounding bowels" is a powerful anthropomorphism, portraying God as having visceral, heartfelt emotions of concern for His people, which they implore Him not to restrain. It's a cry of lament, longing for God to move with the same passionate concern He demonstrated in His past redemptive acts.