Isaiah 65 6

Isaiah 65:6 kjv

Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,

Isaiah 65:6 nkjv

"Behold, it is written before Me: I will not keep silence, but will repay? Even repay into their bosom?

Isaiah 65:6 niv

"See, it stands written before me: I will not keep silent but will pay back in full; I will pay it back into their laps?

Isaiah 65:6 esv

Behold, it is written before me: "I will not keep silent, but I will repay; I will indeed repay into their lap

Isaiah 65:6 nlt

"Look, my decree is written out in front of me:
I will not stand silent;
I will repay them in full!
Yes, I will repay them ?

Isaiah 65 verses

Isaiah 65 6 Meaning

This verse declares that God's judgment will be dealt out in full proportion, impacting those who have angered Him. The measure is "recompense," indicating a reciprocal response for their transgressions, and it will be dealt out into His "bosom," symbolizing an intimate and certain delivery of this judgment directly from God. The consequence is "recompense upon their own head," emphasizing that the retribution is personal and unavoidable for their actions.

Isaiah 65 6 Context

Isaiah chapter 65 portrays a stark contrast between the unfaithfulness and rejection of God by His people, who have built high places and worshiped idols, and the glorious new creation and new covenant that God promises. This verse falls within the latter part of the chapter, where Isaiah delivers a prophetic judgment upon those who have rebelled. It is part of a broader message of judgment and restoration within Isaiah's prophecy. Historically, this refers to the actions of the people of Judah prior to the Babylonian exile and possibly during the exilic or post-exilic periods, emphasizing their consistent disobedience and the consequences thereof. The "contemporary beliefs" polemic would be against any syncretistic worship that blended Yahweh with pagan deities and practices.

Isaiah 65 6 Word Analysis

• כִּי (ki): "for," "because," "that." Introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding statement.
• עֲנִיָה (aniyah): "troubled," "afflicted." Here, it can imply that the action or statement is a response to distress or, more likely, the act of responding is characterized by what is happening to them. It’s an adjectival form used to describe the response.
• יִבָּחֲרוּ (yibḥaru): "they choose," "they select." Future tense, passive or reflexive form of בָּחַר (bachar). This could imply "what they choose for themselves" or "what is chosen for them." Given the context of judgment, it strongly points to their actions being chosen by them and leading to this judgment.
• וַאֲשֶׁר (wa'asher): "and that which," "and what." A conjunction and relative pronoun.
• בָּחֲרוּ (bacharu): "they chose," "they selected." Perfect tense of בָּחַר (bachar). Refers to their past choices of sin and idolatry.
• בְּחָרְבוּ (beḥorbū): "their chosen destruction," "what they have chosen." This is a less common formation, possibly emphasizing the result of their choosing – a destructive outcome. It directly links their choices to ruin. Some interpret it more directly as "their abominations" or "their desolations" as a consequence of their choosing wrongly.
• עָשׂוּ (asu): "they did," "they made." Perfect tense of עָשָׂה (asah). Their active doing or practice.
• מְשִׁיב (meshib): "recompense," "retribution," "return." A participle indicating the action of returning or repaying. It signifies a response or a paying back.
• לֹא (lo): "not." A negative particle.
• אֶל (el): "unto," "to."
• בּוּצִי (butzi): "bosom," "chest." Refers to the inner part, often implying secrecy or a place of storing. Metaphorically, it means "into the midst of."
• וּמְשִׁיב (umeshib): "and recompense," "and retribution."
• עַל (al): "upon," "on," "over."
• רֹאשׁ (rosh): "head."
• עָרִיצֵי (aritzai): "their heads," referring to their own heads. The possessive suffix is understood from context or the preceding word if "head" is possessive. The term 'aritzim' itself refers to oppressors or terrors, but here it refers to the heads of the people who have been oppressors or the people being addressed as "their own heads," meaning their own personal heads.
• הֶם (hem): "their," "them." A plural suffix.
• לָהֶם (lahem): "to them," "for them." Indicates the recipient.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Because what they choose they chose and what they made, He will return" - This phrase sets up a cause-and-effect. Their actions and choices (what they chose, what they made) are the direct reason for God's responsive action.
• "a recompense not to My bosom" - The unusual wording here can be interpreted as: God will not return the favor or the compliment to Himself in a positive way for their actions, but rather to deal with them. Or, more conventionally, it signifies that the recompense will be made directly by God (into His own heart/being), implying full authority and involvement in delivering the judgment. The traditional interpretation favors the latter, as God is the agent.
• "and a recompense upon their own heads" - This clarifies where the judgment lands – directly and personally on each individual who is responsible for their choices and actions. "Their own heads" signifies personal accountability and the full impact of their sin.

Isaiah 65 6 Bonus Section

This verse reflects a fundamental theological principle found throughout Scripture: the law of sowing and reaping, or divine recompense. The Hebrew verb for "return" or "recompense" (שׁוּב - shuv) also carries the sense of turning back. Thus, it can be understood that God is returning to them the consequence of their turning away from Him. The phrase "into His bosom" is striking. In some Near Eastern cultures, the folds of one's garment were used to carry things, representing what was cherished or received. God receiving the recompense into His "bosom" implies that the justice meted out is inherently His and fully encompassed by His sovereign purpose, rather than a detached judgment. It underscores the personal nature of God’s interaction with His creation, even in judgment.

Isaiah 65 6 Commentary

The verse articulates the principle of divine retribution. God, in His perfect knowledge and justice, responds directly and personally to the choices and actions of humanity. The phrase "into His bosom" suggests a very intimate and certain dispensing of this justice. It's not an external force acting upon them, but God Himself, from His very being, meting out what is due. The "recompense upon their own heads" is a stark reminder of individual accountability; their deeds return to them in a way that they must bear the full weight of their sin and rebellion. This speaks to God’s unswerving righteousness, where He does not let iniquity go unpunished. It emphasizes that their spiritual infidelity and harmful practices would inevitably be answered by divine judgment, reflecting the established covenantal relationship where disobedience brought consequences.