Isaiah 35:4

Say to them [that are] of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come [with] vengeance, [even] God [with] a recompence; he will come and save you.

Say {H559} to them that are of a fearful {H4116} heart {H3820}, Be strong {H2388}, fear {H3372} not: behold, your God {H430} will come {H935} with vengeance {H5359}, even God {H430} with a recompence {H1576}; he will come {H935} and save {H3467} you.

Say to the fainthearted, "Be strong and unafraid! Here is your God; he will come with vengeance; with God's retribution he will come and save you."

Say to those with anxious hearts: “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you.”

Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; he will come and save you.

Isaiah 35:4 delivers a powerful message of divine comfort and assurance to those overwhelmed by apprehension. It directly addresses individuals with a "fearful heart," urging them to find strength and banish dread. The prophecy assures that God Himself will intervene, bringing both righteous vengeance upon oppressors and ultimate salvation to His people.

Context

This verse is situated within a vibrant prophetic section of Isaiah (chapters 34-35) that contrasts God's severe judgment on the nations (like Edom in Isaiah 34:5) with the glorious future restoration and salvation of Israel. Chapter 35 paints a vivid picture of a transformed wilderness, a "highway of holiness," and the return of the redeemed. Isaiah 35:4 serves as a direct word of encouragement to those who would experience or witness these transformative events, assuring them that God's plan of justice and deliverance is certain and imminent.

Key Themes

  • Divine Encouragement: The command "Be strong, fear not" is a direct pastoral word from God through His prophet, emphasizing His desire for His people to overcome despair and anxiety. This echoes many biblical exhortations to trust in God's presence and power.
  • God's Imminent Intervention: "Behold, your God will come" underscores the certainty and personal nature of God's active involvement in human history. He is not a distant deity but one who draws near to execute His will.
  • Righteous Judgment (Vengeance and Recompense): The terms "vengeance" and "recompence" highlight God's commitment to justice. This is not arbitrary wrath but a righteous settlement for wrongs committed against His people, ensuring that justice is ultimately His.
  • Ultimate Salvation: The culmination of God's coming is to "save you." This encompasses physical deliverance from oppression, spiritual redemption, and the establishment of His kingdom, a theme powerfully fulfilled in the coming of Jesus Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "fearful heart" translates the Hebrew nimharey lev, which literally means "hasty of heart" or "impetuous heart." This suggests a heart prone to panic, quick to give way to anxiety and despair. The words "vengeance" (Hebrew: naqam) and "recompence" (Hebrew: shillum) are often used together to denote a just and complete retribution or repayment. Naqam emphasizes the punitive aspect, while shillum implies a just settlement, ensuring that every wrong is righted and every act of oppression receives its due. This is God's righteous judgment, not mere anger.

Practical Application

Isaiah 35:4 remains a timeless source of comfort and strength for believers facing various trials. It reminds us that even when circumstances seem overwhelming and our hearts are fearful, God is sovereign and actively involved. We are called to "be strong, fear not" because our God is faithful to His promises. He will ultimately bring justice to situations of injustice and deliver His people from all forms of distress. This verse encourages us to place our hope in God's ultimate salvation, looking forward to a future where He will wipe away all tears and there will be no more death, sorrow, or pain.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • James 5:7

    Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

  • James 5:9

    Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

  • Isaiah 41:10

    ¶ Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

  • Isaiah 41:14

    Fear not, thou worm Jacob, [and] ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

  • Isaiah 34:8

    For [it is] the day of the LORD'S vengeance, [and] the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.

  • Haggai 2:4

    Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I [am] with you, saith the LORD of hosts:

  • Zephaniah 3:16

    In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: [and to] Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.

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