King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ 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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
He saw that there was no one, was amazed that no one interceded. Therefore his own arm brought him salvation, and his own righteousness sustained him.
Berean Standard Bible:
He saw that there was no man; He was amazed that there was no one to intercede. So His own arm brought salvation, and His own righteousness sustained Him.
American Standard Version:
And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his own arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it upheld him.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And he saw{H7200} that there was no man{H376}, and wondered{H8074} that there was no intercessor{H6293}: therefore his arm{H2220} brought salvation{H3467} unto him; and his righteousness{H6666}, it sustained{H5564} him.
Cross-References (KJV):
Ezekiel 22:30
- And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
Isaiah 64:7
- And [there is] none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.
Psalms 98:1
- ¶ A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
Isaiah 41:28
- For I beheld, and [there was] no man; even among them, and [there was] no counsellor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word.
Psalms 106:23
- Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy [them].
Isaiah 63:3
- I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people [there was] none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
Isaiah 63:5
- And I looked, and [there was] none to help; and I wondered that [there was] none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Isaiah 59:16
Isaiah 59:16 is a verse that captures a moment of divine intervention within the broader context of the prophet Isaiah's messages to the people of Judah. This verse is part of a larger passage in which Isaiah is addressing the moral and spiritual decay of Jerusalem, highlighting the people's iniquities and the consequences of their actions. The historical context is set during a time when the southern kingdom of Judah was experiencing a period of decline, marked by idolatry, injustice, and a general turning away from God.
In this specific verse, the text speaks of God observing that there is no one who can intercede or advocate for the people because of their pervasive sinfulness. The absence of a righteous individual or leader who can stand in the gap between God and the people is a stark realization of the depth of the nation's moral crisis. In response to this lack of intercession, God Himself decides to act. The phrase "therefore his arm brought salvation unto him" suggests that God's own power and initiative are what bring about deliverance, not through an intermediary, but directly by His own hand.
The "arm" of the Lord is a common biblical metaphor for God's active power, and in this case, it signifies God's resolve to save His people despite their unworthiness. The verse concludes with the idea that God's righteousness is what sustains Him, indicating that His actions are consistent with His just and moral character. This passage ultimately points to a theological theme where human failure and sinfulness are met with divine intervention, and it foreshadows the ultimate salvation that would come through Jesus Christ, who is the perfect intercessor between God and humanity. This theme resonates throughout the Bible, emphasizing God's mercy and faithfulness in the face of human fallibility.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. - Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H8074
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמֵם
Transliteration: shâmêm
Pronunciation: shaw-mame'
Description: a primitive root; to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense); make amazed, be astonied, (be an) astonish(-ment), (be, bring into, unto, lay, lie, make) desolate(-ion, places), be destitute, destroy (self), (lay, lie, make) waste, wonder. - Strong's Number: H6293
There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּגַע
Transliteration: pâgaʻ
Pronunciation: paw-gah'
Description: a primitive root; to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity; come (betwixt), cause to entreat, fall (upon), make intercession, intercessor, intreat, lay, light (upon), meet (together), pray, reach, run. - Strong's Number: H2220
There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זְרוֹעַ
Transliteration: zᵉrôwaʻ
Pronunciation: zer-o'-ah
Description: or (shortened) זְרֹעַ; and (feminine) זְרוֹעָה; or זְרֹעָה; from זָרַע; the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force; arm, [phrase] help, mighty, power, shoulder, strength. - Strong's Number: H3467
There are 198 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָשַׁע
Transliteration: yâshaʻ
Pronunciation: yaw-shah'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor; [idiom] at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save(-iour), get victory. - Strong's Number: H6666
There are 150 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צְדָקָה
Transliteration: tsᵉdâqâh
Pronunciation: tsed-aw-kaw'
Description: from צָדַק; rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity); justice, moderately, right(-eous) (act, -ly, -ness). - Strong's Number: H5564
There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סָמַךְ
Transliteration: çâmak
Pronunciation: saw-mak'
Description: a primitive root; to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense); bear up, establish, (up-) hold, lay, lean, lie hard, put, rest self, set self, stand fast, stay (self), sustain.