What does Isaiah 59:16 mean?

"¶ And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him." - Isaiah 59:16

"¶ And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him." - Isaiah 59:16

Isaiah 59:16 (KJV) reads: "And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him."

This verse is part of a larger section of the book of Isaiah that contains messages of judgment and redemption. In this particular verse, the prophet Isaiah is describing the desperation and hopelessness of the people of Israel. The verse speaks to the absence of anyone who could intercede on behalf of the people before God. This absence of an intercessor meant that the people were destined for destruction, as there was no one to plead their case before God.

The verse also emphasizes the power and righteousness of God. Despite the lack of an intercessor, God's arm alone brought salvation to the people, and His righteousness sustained Him. This highlights God's sovereignty and His ability to act independently to save His people, even in the absence of human intervention. It also serves as a reminder that God's righteousness is unwavering and unchanging, and it serves as a source of sustenance and support for those who trust in Him.

One of the key themes of this verse is the need for an intercessor. In the context of the Old Testament, an intercessor was someone who stood between God and the people, pleading on their behalf. This verse suggests that the lack of a human intercessor highlights the spiritual destitution of the people. It accentuates the severity of the situation and the urgent need for someone to bridge the gap between the people and God.

Another theme present in this verse is the central role of God in bringing salvation. The verse emphasizes that it is God's own arm that brings salvation, and His righteousness that sustains Him. This serves as a reminder of God's power and sovereignty in delivering His people and upholding His righteousness.

The context of this verse is important in understanding its significance. The book of Isaiah contains prophecies about the future of the people of Israel, including messages of judgment and warnings about the consequences of their actions. In this particular section of the book, Isaiah is condemning the moral and social decay of the people, and he is highlighting the need for repentance and a turning back to God. This verse underscores the desperation of the situation and the need for divine intervention to save the people from their impending doom.

Symbolism is also present in this verse, particularly in the imagery of God's arm as the instrument of salvation. This symbolizes the strength and power of God in delivering His people from their plight. It serves as a visual representation of God's might and His ability to act decisively on behalf of His people. Additionally, the concept of God's righteousness serving as sustenance carries symbolic weight, representing the spiritual nourishment and support that comes from aligning with God's righteousness.

In conclusion, Isaiah 59:16 (KJV) is a profound and powerful verse that speaks to the desperation of the people of Israel and the need for divine intervention. It emphasizes the absence of a human intercessor and the central role of God in bringing salvation. The verse also highlights the unwavering righteousness of God and the symbolism of His arm and righteousness in delivering and sustaining His people. This verse serves as a poignant reminder of God's sovereignty, His ability to act independently, and the need for repentance and reliance on Him for salvation.

Have questions about Isaiah 59:16?

Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.

Try Bible Chat FreeDownload iOS App

Get Our Apps

Bible Art

Scripture illustrations

Bible Chat

Scripture study companion

Bible Widget

Daily verses

Isaiah 59:16 Artwork

Isaiah 59:16 - "¶ And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him."

Isaiah 59:16 - "¶ And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him."

"¶ And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him." - Isaiah 59:16

"¶ And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him." - Isaiah 59:16

Isaiah 59:1 - "Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:"

Isaiah 59:1 - "Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:"

Isaiah 59:20 - "¶ And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD."

Isaiah 59:20 - "¶ And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD."

Isaiah 59:7 - "Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths."

Isaiah 59:7 - "Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths."

Isaiah 59:14 - "And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter."

Isaiah 59:14 - "And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter."

Isaiah 59:18 - "According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence."

Isaiah 59:18 - "According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence."

Isaiah 59:15 - "Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment."

Isaiah 59:15 - "Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment."

Isaiah 59:6 - "Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands."

Isaiah 59:6 - "Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands."

Isaiah 59:5 - "They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper."

Isaiah 59:5 - "They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper."

Isaiah 59:4 - "None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity."

Isaiah 59:4 - "None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity."

Isaiah 59:8 - "The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace."

Isaiah 59:8 - "The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace."

Isaiah 59:3 - "For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness."

Isaiah 59:3 - "For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness."

Isaiah 59:17 - "For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke."

Isaiah 59:17 - "For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke."

Isaiah 59:11 - "We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us."

Isaiah 59:11 - "We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us."

Isaiah 59:12 - "For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them;"

Isaiah 59:12 - "For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them;"

Isaiah 59:13 - "In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood."

Isaiah 59:13 - "In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood."

Isaiah 59:2 - "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."

Isaiah 59:2 - "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."

Isaiah 59:9 - "¶ Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness."

Isaiah 59:9 - "¶ Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness."

Isaiah 59:10 - "We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men."

Isaiah 59:10 - "We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men."

Ezekiel 16:59 - "For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even deal with thee as thou hast done, which hast despised the oath in breaking the covenant."

Ezekiel 16:59 - "For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even deal with thee as thou hast done, which hast despised the oath in breaking the covenant."

"As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever." - Isaiah 59:21

"As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever." - Isaiah 59:21

Psalms 59:16 - "But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble."

Psalms 59:16 - "But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble."

Isaiah 59:19 - "So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him."

Isaiah 59:19 - "So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him."

"¶ And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD." - Isaiah 59:20

"¶ And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD." - Isaiah 59:20

"Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:" - Isaiah 59:1

"Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:" - Isaiah 59:1

Isaiah 59:4 No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies; They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.

Isaiah 59:4 No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies; They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.

Isaiah 59:4 No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies; They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.

Isaiah 59:4 No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies; They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.

Isaiah 59:4 No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies; They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.

Isaiah 59:4 No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies; They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.

Isaiah 59:3 (KJVA) 3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.

Isaiah 59:3 (KJVA) 3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.