Christian Standard Bible
Isaiah 57:20
20But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its water churns up mire and muck.
Isaiah 57:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
- New International Version (NIV)But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud.
- English Standard Version (ESV)But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt.
- New King James Version (NKJV)But the wicked are like the troubled sea, When it cannot rest, Whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
Context of Isaiah 57:20
18I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, 19creating words of praise.” The Lord says, “Peace, peace to the one who is far or near, and I will heal him. But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its water churns up mire and muck. 21There is no peace for the wicked,” says my God.
Read all of Isaiah 57Isaiah 57:20 word by word
וְהָרְשָׁעִ֖ים כַּיָּ֣ם נִגְרָ֑שׁ כִּ֤י הַשְׁקֵט֙ לֹ֣א יוּכָ֔ל וַיִּגְרְשׁ֥וּ מֵימָ֖יו רֶ֥פֶשׁ וָטִֽיט׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Isaiah 57:20
- Isaiah 3:11Woe to the wicked — it will go badly for them, for what they have done will be done to them.
- Job 15:20A wicked person writhes in pain all his days, throughout the number of years reserved for the ruthless.
- Job 18:5Yes, the light of the wicked is extinguished; the flame of his fire does not glow.
- Job 20:11His frame may be full of youthful vigor, but it will lie down with him in dust.
- Psalms 73:18Indeed, you put them in slippery places; you make them fall into ruin.
- Proverbs 4:16For they can’t sleep unless they have done what is evil; they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.
- Jude 1:12These people are dangerous reefs at your love feasts as they eat with you without reverence. They are shepherds who only look after themselves. They are waterless clouds carried along by winds; trees in late autumn — fruitless, twice dead and uprooted.
Commentaries on Isaiah 57:20
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20But the wicked - All who are transgressors of the law and who remain unpardoned. The design of this is to contrast their condition with that of those who should enjoy peace. The proposition is, therefore, of the most general character. All the wicked are like the troubled sea. Whether prosperous or otherwise; rich or poor; bond or free; old or young; whether in Christian, in civilized, or in barbarous lands; whether living in palaces, in caves, or in…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-21Verses 13-21 The idols and their worshippers shall come to nothing; but those who trust in God's grace, shall be brought to the joys of heaven. With the Lord there is neither beginning of days, nor end of life, nor change of time. His name is holy, and all must know him as a holy God. He will have tender regard to those who bring their mind to their condition, and dread his wrath. He will make his abode with those whose hearts he has thus humbled, in…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20storm-tossed sea … it cannot be still: People who constantly oppose God (see Psalms 46:3, 6; 93:3–4) do not find inner peace because they are not at peace with God (Isaiah 30:15; 32:17). churn up mire and muck: Their actions are often unproductive (see Psalm 40:2).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. when it cannot rest--rather, "for it can have no rest" (Job 15:20, &c.; Pr 4:16, 17). English Version represents the sea as occasionally agitated; but the Hebrew expresses that it can never be at rest.Read the comment
Topics related to Isaiah 57:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Isaiah 57
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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