God’s Word Translation
Isaiah 59:1
1The Lord is not too weak to save or his ear too deaf to 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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot 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.
Context of Isaiah 59:1
The Lord is not too weak to save or his ear too deaf to hear. 2But your wrongs have separated you from your God, and your sins have made him hide his face so that he doesn’t hear you. 3Your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers are stained with sin. You speak lies, and you mutter wicked things.
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 was no one here when I came? Why was no one here to answer when I called? Am I too weak to reclaim you? Don’t I have the power to rescue you? I dry up the sea with my command, and I turn rivers into deserts. Their fish stink because there is no water, and people die of thirst.
- Genesis 18:14Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will come back to you next year at this time, and Sarah will have a son.”
- Numbers 11:23The Lord asked Moses, “Is there a limit to the Lord’s power? Now you will see whether or not my words come true.”
- Jeremiah 32:17‘Almighty Lord, you made heaven and earth by your great strength and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
- Isaiah 63:1Who is this coming from Bozrah in Edom with his clothes stained bright red? Who is this dressed in splendor, going forward with great strength? “It is I, the Lord. I am coming to announce my victory. I am powerful enough to save ⌞you⌟.”
- Hebrews 7:25That is why he is always able to save those who come to God through him. He can do this because he always lives and intercedes for them.
- Isaiah 6:10Make these people close-minded. Plug their ears. Shut their eyes. Otherwise, they may see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their minds, and return and be healed.”
- Matthew 13:15These people have become close-minded and hard of hearing. They have shut their eyes so that their eyes never see. Their ears never hear. Their minds never understand. And they never return to me for healing!’
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries