Isaiah 57:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls [which] I have made.

Complete Jewish Bible:

For I will not fight them forever or always nurse my anger; otherwise their spirits would faint before me, the creatures I myself have made.

Berean Standard Bible:

For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me, with the breath of those I have made.

American Standard Version:

For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls that I have made.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For I will not contend^{H7378} for ever^{H5769}, neither will I be always^{H5331} wroth^{H7107}: for the spirit^{H7307} should fail^{H5848} before^{H6440} me, and the souls^{H5397} which I have made^{H6213}.

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Commentary for Isaiah 57:16

Isaiah 57:16 is part of the larger section of the book of Isaiah known as Deutero-Isaiah (chapters 40-55, with some scholars extending this section to chapter 66), which is believed to have been written during the Babylonian exile or in the immediate post-exilic period. This period marked a time of intense theological reflection and national crisis for the Israelites, as they grappled with the destruction of their homeland and the seeming abandonment by their God.

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah conveys a message of divine reassurance and mercy from God (Yahweh). The themes present in this verse include God's compassion, justice, and the acknowledgment of human frailty. God declares that His anger is not everlasting, suggesting a limit to divine punishment. The phrase "for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls [which] I have made" speaks to the recognition of human limitations and vulnerabilities. God, as the creator, understands the weakness of the human spirit and the frailty of human life, implying a divine empathy towards humanity's struggles.

The historical context of this verse is crucial to understanding its message. The Israelites, experiencing the consequences of their actions through exile and subjugation, might have felt that God's wrath was unending. However, Isaiah 57:16 serves as a comforting word, promising that God's anger is temporary and that His ultimate intention is not to destroy but to restore and redeem. This verse underscores the hope that, despite periods of judgment, God's mercy and the restoration of His people will prevail. It is a call to repentance and a reassurance of God's willingness to forgive and to sustain the spirits of those He has created.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7378
   There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רִיב
   Transliteration: rîyb
   Pronunciation: reeb
   Description: or רוּב; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e. grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend; adversary, chide, complain, contend, debate, [idiom] ever, [idiom] lay wait, plead, rebuke, strive, [idiom] thoroughly.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5769
   There are 414 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עוֹלָם
   Transliteration: ʻôwlâm
   Pronunciation: o-lawm'
   Description: or עֹלָם; from עָלַם; properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially with prepositional prefix) always; alway(-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, (n-)) ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world ([phrase] without end). Compare נֶצַח, עַד.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5331
   There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נֶצַח
   Transliteration: netsach
   Pronunciation: neh'-tsakh
   Description: or נֵצַח; from נָצַח; properly, a goal, i.e. the bright object at adistance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objectively) confidence; but usually (adverbially), continually (i.e. to the most distant point of view); alway(-s), constantly, end, ([phrase] n-) ever(more), perpetual, strength, victory.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7107
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָצַף
   Transliteration: qâtsaph
   Pronunciation: kaw-tsaf'
   Description: a primitive root; to crack off, i.e. (figuratively) burst out in rage; (be) anger(-ry), displease, fret self, (provoke to) wrath (come), be wroth.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7307
   There are 348 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רוּחַ
   Transliteration: rûwach
   Pronunciation: roo'-akh
   Description: from רוּחַ; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions); air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y).
   
6. Strong's Number: H5848
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָטַף
   Transliteration: ʻâṭaph
   Pronunciation: aw-taf'
   Description: a primitive root; to shroud, i.e. clothe (whether transitive or reflex.); hence (from the idea of darkness) to languish; cover (over), fail, faint, feebler, hide self, be overwhelmed, swoon.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
8. Strong's Number: H5397
   There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נְשָׁמָה
   Transliteration: nᵉshâmâh
   Pronunciation: nesh-aw-maw'
   Description: from נָשַׁם; a puff, i.e. wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect. or (concretely) an animal; blast, (that) breath(-eth), inspiration, soul, spirit.
   
9. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.