Isaiah 48:22

KJV

[There is] no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.

KJV (with Strong's)

There is no peace {H7965}, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, unto the wicked {H7563}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But there is no peace, says ADONAI, for the wicked.

Berean Standard Bible

“There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.”

American Standard Version

There is no peace, saith Jehovah, to the wicked.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 48:22 serves as a definitive and stark concluding statement to a significant prophetic section, declaring an immutable truth about God's moral universe: genuine and comprehensive peace (shalom) is fundamentally incompatible with a life of active rebellion against divine will. This pronouncement highlights the inherent consequences of wickedness, asserting that true flourishing and spiritual well-being are unattainable for those who persist in unrighteousness, thereby underscoring God's justice and the necessity of aligning with His righteous ways.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 48 concludes the first major section (chapters 40-48) of what is often called "Second Isaiah," primarily addressing the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Throughout these chapters, the LORD, through His prophet, meticulously establishes His unique sovereignty, His unparalleled ability to declare future events before they occur, and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, despite Israel's persistent idolatry and stubbornness. Chapter 48 specifically recounts God's past deliverances, His foretelling of the present Babylonian exile, and His impending act of bringing His people out of Babylon. The chapter serves as a final, urgent call to remember God's omnipotence and to acknowledge their own deep-seated rebellion, culminating in this verse as a definitive summary and a concluding warning before the narrative shifts towards the Suffering Servant themes in subsequent chapters. This verse also forms an inclusio, echoing [Isaiah 57:21](/isaiah/57-21 "Isaiah 57:21 - No Peace for the Wicked"), thereby framing a large section of the book with this profound truth.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 48 is the Babylonian exile, which began with the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in 586 BC and continued until Cyrus's decree in 539 BC. The Jewish people were living in a foreign land, under foreign rule, grappling with despair, questioning God's power, and often tempted by the idolatry of their captors. The "wicked" in this context refers not merely to non-Israelite nations, but significantly to those within Israel who, despite God's judgments and promises of restoration, continued in their spiritual stubbornness, idolatry, and moral rebellion. The cultural norms of the ancient Near East often linked national prosperity and peace to the favor of a nation's gods, but Isaiah redefines true peace as dependent solely on a right relationship with the one true God, Yahweh.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout [Isaiah 40-48](/isaiah/40 "Isaiah 40 - The Comfort of God's People"): **Divine Sovereignty and Foreknowledge** are evident in the LORD's authoritative declaration, emphasizing His control over all things, including the consequences of human actions. The theme of **Divine Justice and Consequences** is central, as the verse articulates a fundamental principle of God's moral universe: true peace is incompatible with wickedness. It highlights that God's character and the moral order He established do not permit lasting tranquility for those who actively oppose His will or live in rebellion against Him. Furthermore, it underscores **Israel's Stubbornness and Rebellion**, a recurring motif in [Isaiah 48](/isaiah/48 "Isaiah 48 - God's Warning to Stubborn Israel"), which contrasts sharply with God's unwavering **Covenant Faithfulness**. The verse also implicitly defines the **Nature of True Peace (Shalom)**, portraying it as a holistic state of well-being that is fundamentally denied to the wicked.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Peace (Hebrew, _shâlôwm'_):** H7965. This word encompasses far more than merely the absence of conflict or war. It signifies wholeness, completeness, well-being, prosperity, harmony, health, and a right relationship with God, self, and others. When the LORD declares "no peace," it means a denial of this comprehensive, holistic state of flourishing, indicating an internal state of turmoil and an external reality reflecting spiritual disorder.
* **Saith (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** H559. This is a primitive root meaning "to say," but in this context, especially when paired with "the LORD," it denotes an authoritative divine declaration. It is not a suggestion or a wish, but a definitive, immutable pronouncement from the sovereign God, emphasizing the certainty and unchangeable nature of the truth being stated.
* **Wicked (Hebrew, _râshâʻ'_):** H7563. This term describes someone who is morally wrong, guilty, unrighteous, and actively rebellious against God's commands and moral order. It refers to a persistent posture of disobedience and a refusal to align with God's ways, rather than merely making isolated mistakes. The "wicked" are those who live in opposition to God's revealed will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[There is] no peace":** This opening phrase is an emphatic negation. It asserts an absolute lack of *shalom*—that comprehensive state of well-being, harmony, and flourishing—for a specific group. It implies an internal disquiet, a brokenness in relationships, and an absence of divine favor.
* **"saith the LORD":** This is a powerful prophetic formula (נָאֹם יְהוָה - _ne'um YHWH_), attributing the declaration directly to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. It stamps the statement with divine authority, infallibility, and eternal truth, making it an unchangeable decree from the ultimate source of all truth and order.
* **"unto the wicked":** This specifies the recipients of the "no peace" declaration. The "wicked" are those characterized by active, deliberate, and persistent rebellion against God's moral law and His person. This is not a casual or accidental state, but a chosen path of unrighteousness that inherently separates them from the source of true peace.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. Most notably, it functions as a **Divine Pronouncement**, indicated by the authoritative phrase "saith the LORD," which lends absolute weight and immutability to the statement, marking it as an eternal truth from the Creator. There is also a clear **Contrast** at play, implicitly juxtaposing the peace that is available to those who walk in God's ways with the utter lack of it for the wicked. This highlights the binary nature of spiritual existence: either alignment with God leading to *shalom*, or rebellion leading to its absence. Furthermore, the verse acts as a **Summary Statement** or **Conclusion** for the preceding chapters of Isaiah, encapsulating the consequences of Israel's stubbornness and serving as a final warning. Its near-identical repetition in [Isaiah 57:21](/isaiah/57-21 "Isaiah 57:21 - No Peace for the Wicked") also creates an **Inclusio**, framing a significant prophetic section and emphasizing the unwavering nature of this divine principle.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 48:22 articulates a foundational theological principle: the inherent incompatibility of true peace with a life of rebellion against God. This is not merely a punitive judgment but a statement reflecting God's holy character and the moral order He established. God, as the source of all *shalom*, cannot bestow it upon those who actively oppose His nature and will, for true peace is fundamentally rooted in a right relationship with Him. Sin, by its very nature, creates disorder, alienation, and spiritual fragmentation, making genuine wholeness impossible. Therefore, the absence of peace for the wicked is a natural consequence of their chosen path, a reflection of their separation from the divine source of life and flourishing.

* [Isaiah 57:21](/isaiah/57-21 "Isaiah 57:21 - No Peace for the Wicked")
* [Proverbs 28:1](/proverbs/28-1 "Proverbs 28:1 - The Wicked Flee When No One Pursues")
* [Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a profound and enduring reminder for all people and all generations: true and lasting peace is not found in rebellion against God, nor in ignoring His moral law. Whether it is internal peace of mind, relational harmony, societal stability, or ultimate spiritual well-being, these are fundamentally elusive for those who choose a path of unrighteousness. The comprehensive nature of *shalom* means that the wicked are denied not just external calm, but also the inner tranquility, spiritual wholeness, and right relationship with God that are essential for human flourishing. This declaration challenges us to deeply examine our own lives: are we pursuing genuine *shalom* by aligning ourselves with God's will and His righteous standards? It underscores the truth that real peace is a spiritual condition, a gift rooted in a right relationship with the Creator, calling us to turn from any form of wickedness and embrace the path of righteousness, which ultimately leads to the peace offered through faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "peace" truly mean in light of this verse, beyond just the absence of conflict?**
* **How might a "wicked" life manifest in ways that disrupt true peace, both internally (e.g., guilt, anxiety) and externally (e.g., broken relationships, societal unrest)?**
* **Considering the comprehensive nature of *shalom*, what practical steps can we take to align our lives with God's will and experience the peace He offers, even amidst external challenges?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean that wicked people can never experience any form of tranquility or success in their lives?**

Answer: This verse speaks to the profound, holistic meaning of "peace" (Hebrew: *shalom*), which encompasses much more than just the absence of conflict or temporary worldly success. While the wicked may indeed experience periods of calm, prosperity, or even outward tranquility in their lives, as observed in [Psalm 73](/psalms/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked"), Isaiah 48:22 declares that they are fundamentally denied true *shalom*. This refers to a deep, abiding spiritual wholeness, a right relationship with God, inner harmony, and ultimate well-being that is only possible when one is aligned with the Creator's will. The "peace" that the world offers is often superficial and fleeting, built on shifting sands, unlike the lasting peace that comes from God. Therefore, while outward circumstances may vary, the ultimate, comprehensive, and eternal peace of God remains elusive for those who persist in active rebellion against Him, as their foundation is inherently flawed, much like the house built on sand in [Matthew 7:24-27](/matthew/7-24 "Matthew 7:24-27 - The Wise and Foolish Builders").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 48:22, declaring "no peace... unto the wicked," sets the stage for the glorious fulfillment found in Jesus Christ, the ultimate bringer of true *shalom*. Humanity, by nature, is "wicked" in its rebellion against God, inherently alienated from the source of peace. However, the New Testament reveals Jesus as the "Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Prince of Peace")), who came to reconcile sinners to God. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ made peace by shedding His blood ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Peace Through Christ's Blood")), breaking down the wall of hostility that separated humanity from God. For those who believe in Him, the declaration of "no peace" is reversed; we are justified by faith and therefore "have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Faith")). This is not a worldly peace, but a divine *shalom* that "transcends all understanding" ([Philippians 4:7](/Philippians/4-7 "The Peace of God")), a peace that Jesus Himself bequeathed to His followers, distinct from what the world offers ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "Christ's Peace")). In Christ, the wicked find not only forgiveness but also the very wholeness, harmony, and right relationship with God that was previously denied, transforming their state from one of turmoil to one of profound and lasting peace.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 57:21

[There is] no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

Job 15:20

The wicked man travaileth with pain all [his] days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor.

Job 15:24

Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.

Luke 19:42

Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things [which belong] unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

Romans 3:17

And the way of peace have they not known: