English Standard Version
Isaiah 59:1
1Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;
Isaiah 59:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
- New International Version (NIV)Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call.
Context of Isaiah 59:1
Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. 3For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies; your tongue mutters wickedness.
Read all of Isaiah 59Isaiah 59:1 word by word
הֵ֛ן לֹֽא־קָצְרָ֥ה יַד־יְהוָ֖ה מֵֽהוֹשִׁ֑יעַ וְלֹא־כָבְדָ֥ה אָזְנ֖וֹ מִשְּׁמֽוֹעַ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Beholdהֵןhên · look!H2005
- the Lord’sיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- handיָדyâd · hand: powerH3027
- is not shortenedקָצֵרqâtsar · be shortH7114
- that it cannot saveיָשַׁעyâsha‛ · to saveH3467
- neither his earאֹ֫זֶן'ôzen · earH241
- heavyכָּבֵדkâbad kâbêd · to honor: dullH3513
- that it cannot hearשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
Cross-references for Isaiah 59:1
- Isaiah 50:2Why, when I came, was there no man; why, when I called, was there no one to answer? Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, by my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a desert; their fish stink for lack of water and die of thirst.
- Genesis 18:14Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son."
- Numbers 11:23And the Lord said to Moses, "Is the Lord's hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not."
- Jeremiah 32:17'Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.
- Isaiah 63:1Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? "It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save."
- Hebrews 7:25Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
- Isaiah 6:10Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed."
- Matthew 13:15For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'
Commentaries on Isaiah 59:1
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Behold, the Lord‘s hand is not shortened - On the meaning of this phrase, see the notes at Isaiah 50:2. Neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear - On the meaning of this phrase, see the notes at Isaiah 6:10.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Reproofs of sin and wickedness. (Is. 59:1-8) Confession of sin, and lamentation for the consequences. (Is. 59:9-15) Promises of deliverance. (Is. 59:16-21) Verses 1-8 If our prayers are not answered, and the salvation we wait for is not wrought for us, it is not because God is weary of hearing prayer, but because we are weary of praying. See here sin in true colours, exceedingly sinful; and see sin in its consequences, exceedingly hurtful, separating from…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1not too short: The delay in their rescue was not due to any weakness in the Lord.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-21The reason why Jehovah does not deliver His people, notwithstanding their religious services (Is 58:3), is not want of power on His part, but because of their sins (Is 59:1-8); Is 59:9-15 contain their confession; Is 59:16-21, the consequent promise of the Messiah. 1. hand ... shortened--(See on Is 50:2). ear heavy--(Is 6:10).Read the comment
Topics related to Isaiah 59:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Isaiah 59
- 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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries