Isaiah 51:23

KJV

But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.

KJV (with Strong's)

But I will put {H7760} it into the hand {H3027} of them that afflict {H3013} thee; which have said {H559} to thy soul {H5315}, Bow down {H7812}, that we may go over {H5674}: and thou hast laid {H7760} thy body {H1460} as the ground {H776}, and as the street {H2351}, to them that went over {H5674}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will put it in the hands of your tormentors, who said to you, 'Bend down, so we can trample you,' and you flattened your back on the ground like a street for them to walk on."

Berean Standard Bible

I will place it in the hands of your tormentors, who told you: ‘Lie down, so we can walk over you,’ so that you made your back like the ground, like a street to be traversed.”

American Standard Version

and I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee, that have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over; and thou hast laid thy back as the ground, and as the street, to them that go over.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 51:23 serves as a powerful declaration of divine reversal and retribution, concluding a passage that laments Jerusalem's deep suffering under oppression. God promises to transfer the "cup of trembling"—a metaphor for His wrath and the resulting desolation—from the hand of His afflicted people to the hands of their tormentors. This verse vividly portrays the extreme humiliation endured by Judah, who were forced to prostrate themselves as a literal pathway for their enemies, and assures them that this same fate of degradation will be meted out to those who oppressed them, signifying God's unwavering commitment to justice and the ultimate vindication of His chosen people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse provides the climactic resolution to a section (Isaiah 51:17-23) that vividly describes Jerusalem's desolate and helpless state. Beginning with the powerful imagery of Jerusalem having "drunk the cup of the Lord's fury" and the "dregs of the cup of trembling" ([Isaiah 51:17](/isaiah/51-17 "Isaiah 51:17 - Jerusalem's Drunkenness of Wrath")), the preceding verses lament her lack of guidance and her children's collapse from hunger and thirst. She is portrayed as having no one to lead her or offer comfort. The Lord then intervenes, declaring that He has taken the cup from her hand ([Isaiah 51:22](/isaiah/51-22 "Isaiah 51:22 - God Takes Away the Cup")), and in verse 23, He promises to give it to those who afflicted her. This creates a dramatic shift from lament to assurance, marking a turning point in God's dealings with His people and their oppressors, emphasizing His sovereignty and ultimate control over historical events.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The primary historical backdrop for Isaiah 51 is the Babylonian exile, a period when the people of Judah suffered immense humiliation and subjugation under a foreign power. The imagery of "bowing down" and laying one's "body as the ground, and as the street" reflects ancient Near Eastern practices of triumphal processions, where conquering armies would literally march over defeated enemies, sometimes forcing them to prostrate themselves as a sign of complete submission and dehumanization. This was not merely symbolic but could involve actual physical degradation, treating the vanquished as mere dirt underfoot. The "cup of trembling" metaphor was common in prophetic literature (e.g., [Jeremiah 25:15-29](/jeremiah/25 "Jeremiah 25 - The Cup of God's Wrath")) to represent divine judgment and wrath, often administered through foreign nations. Thus, the verse promises a reversal of this deeply humiliating experience, transferring the shame and suffering from Judah to Babylon and other nations that had afflicted God's people.

* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 51:23 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Isaiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, affirming that God is not indifferent to the suffering of His people and will ultimately hold oppressors accountable for their actions. Secondly, it highlights the **Reversal of Fortune**, a common motif where the humble are exalted and the proud are abased ([Psalm 75:7](/psalm/75-7 "Psalm 75:7 - God Exalts and Abases")). This verse assures Israel that their season of humiliation will end, and their enemies will experience the very degradation they inflicted. Thirdly, it speaks to God's **Covenant Faithfulness** and His unwavering commitment to His people, even in their darkest hours. Despite their sin leading to exile, God remembers His covenant and promises restoration and vindication, demonstrating His power to deliver and His ultimate control over all nations and history, as seen throughout [Isaiah's prophecies](/isaiah/40 "Isaiah 40 - God's Comfort for Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **put (Hebrew, _sûwm'_):** H7760, meaning "to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically); appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, name, on, ordain, order, paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, stedfastly, take, tell, tread down, (over-)turn, wholly, work." In this verse, "put" signifies a deliberate, sovereign act of transfer by God, emphasizing His active role in the reversal of fortunes and the administration of justice. Its repetition ("I will put it into the hand" and "thou hast laid thy body") creates a powerful contrast between God's active placement of judgment and Jerusalem's passive submission to oppression.
* **Bow down (Hebrew, _shâchâh'_):** H7812, meaning "to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God); bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship." This word vividly describes the forced prostration and abject submission demanded by the oppressors. It implies not just a physical act but a profound humiliation and loss of dignity, as the afflicted are compelled to debase themselves before their enemies. The demand "Bow down, that we may go over" highlights the arrogant and dehumanizing nature of the oppressors' power.
* **street (Hebrew, _chûwts'_):** H2351, meaning "or (shortened) חֻץ; (both forms feminine in the plural) from an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by a wall, i.e. outside, outdoors; abroad, field, forth, highway, more, out(-side, -ward), street, without." The use of "street" alongside "ground" powerfully conveys the utter degradation of Jerusalem. It implies that the people were treated as inanimate objects, part of the public thoroughfare, literally walked over and trampled upon by their enemies. This imagery underscores the extreme level of contempt and subjugation they endured, stripped of all human dignity and agency.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee;":** This opening clause marks a dramatic divine intervention and a reversal of fate. The "it" refers to the "cup of trembling" or "cup of wrath" mentioned in the preceding verses, which Jerusalem has drunk to its dregs. God, the sovereign Lord, declares His intention to take this very instrument of judgment and place it into the hands of those who have caused Jerusalem's suffering. This is a promise of divine retribution, assuring His people that their oppressors will now experience the same anguish and desolation they inflicted.
* **"which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over:":** This segment reveals the arrogant and dehumanizing demands of the oppressors. "Thy soul" here refers to Jerusalem's very being or life, indicating that the demand for prostration was not just physical but a profound assault on her spirit and dignity. The command "Bow down" signifies absolute submission, while "that we may go over" implies a triumphal march, treating the prostrate people as a living pathway. This vividly illustrates the complete subjugation and contempt shown by the enemy.
* **"and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.":** This final clause confirms the extent of Jerusalem's humiliation and suffering. It describes the reality of their oppression: they were forced to literally prostrate themselves, becoming like the earth or a public thoroughfare, over which their enemies walked. This imagery emphasizes the utter degradation, loss of dignity, and complete powerlessness experienced by God's people under the heel of their oppressors, highlighting the severity of the injustice they endured before God's promised intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 51:23 is rich in powerful **Imagery** and **Metaphor**, vividly depicting the suffering of Jerusalem and the promised reversal. The "cup of trembling" is a central **Metaphor** for divine wrath and judgment, which Jerusalem has drunk, and is now passed to her oppressors. The description of Jerusalem laying her "body as the ground, and as the street" employs **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme depth of her humiliation and dehumanization, suggesting she was literally trampled underfoot. This also functions as a powerful **Simile**, comparing her body to the ground and street. The passage also utilizes **Personification**, portraying Jerusalem as a suffering individual who has drunk the cup and endured the indignity of being walked over. The entire verse is structured around a profound **Inversion** or **Reversal of Fortune**, where the roles of the afflicted and the afflicter are dramatically switched by divine decree, underscoring God's ultimate sovereignty and justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 51:23 stands as a profound theological statement about God's active involvement in human history, particularly concerning His covenant people and their oppressors. It affirms God's perfect justice, demonstrating that He not only witnesses the suffering of the innocent but also orchestrates the downfall of those who inflict unrighteous pain. This divine retribution is not arbitrary but is a direct consequence of the oppressors' arrogant actions and their disregard for God's chosen ones. The transfer of the "cup of trembling" signifies that the very judgment and desolation experienced by Jerusalem will be visited upon her tormentors, highlighting God's ultimate sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to vindicate His people and uphold His righteous order in the world. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that while God may use nations as instruments of His judgment, they too are accountable to Him for their cruelty and pride.

* [Psalm 75:7](/psalm/75-7 "Psalm 75:7 - God Exalts and Abases")
* [Revelation 18:6](/revelation/18-6 "Revelation 18:6 - Babylon's Just Recompense")
* [Nahum 1:2-3](/nahum/1-2 "Nahum 1:2-3 - God's Vengeance and Wrath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 51:23 offers profound comfort and a powerful warning for believers today. For those who feel oppressed, marginalized, or unjustly treated, this verse provides a beacon of hope, reminding us that God sees every injustice and hears every cry. It assures us that our suffering is not unnoticed, and that ultimately, divine justice will prevail. While we are called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, this passage reminds us that vengeance belongs to the Lord ([Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine")), and He will, in His perfect timing, right all wrongs and bring about a just recompense. This should empower us to endure with faith, knowing that our vindication rests securely in God's hands, freeing us from the burden of seeking personal revenge. Conversely, for those who might be in positions of power or influence, it serves as a solemn warning: God holds all accountable. Any exploitation, oppression, or dehumanization of others, particularly the vulnerable, is an affront to Him and will ultimately face His righteous judgment. It calls us to live justly, to advocate for the oppressed, and to remember that the "cup of trembling" can indeed be passed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the "cup of trembling" and "laying your body as the ground" resonate with experiences of suffering or injustice in your life or in the world today?**
* **In what ways does this verse encourage you to trust in God's justice, even when immediate circumstances seem hopeless?**
* **How does the promise of God's retribution against oppressors shape your understanding of divine sovereignty and accountability?**
* **What practical steps can you take to advocate for justice or offer comfort to those who are currently experiencing oppression, reflecting God's heart for the afflicted?**

### FAQ
**What is the "cup of trembling" mentioned in this passage?**

Answer: The "cup of trembling" (or "cup of wrath/fury") is a powerful biblical metaphor used throughout prophetic literature to represent God's divine judgment, wrath, and the resulting desolation and suffering. In Isaiah 51, Jerusalem is depicted as having drunk this cup, signifying the severe punishment and humiliation she endured, primarily through the Babylonian exile. Isaiah 51:23 declares that God will now take this very cup from Jerusalem's hand and give it to her oppressors, meaning they will experience the same devastating judgment and suffering they inflicted upon God's people. This imagery is also found in other prophets, such as [Jeremiah 25](/jeremiah/25 "Jeremiah 25 - The Cup of God's Wrath for the Nations"), where various nations are made to drink from this cup.

**Who are "them that afflict thee" in Isaiah 51:23?**

Answer: Historically, "them that afflict thee" primarily refers to the Babylonians, who conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem, and led its people into exile. However, in a broader sense, it can refer to any nation or power that oppressed God's people throughout history. The verse emphasizes that these oppressors were arrogant and cruel, demanding extreme submission and humiliating Judah. God's promise is that these very tormentors will face the same fate they imposed, signifying God's justice and His ultimate vindication of His chosen people. This principle extends to all who unjustly afflict God's people or the vulnerable.

**How does this verse apply to believers today who may not be facing national exile?**

Answer: While the immediate context is the Babylonian exile, the principles of Isaiah 51:23 are timeless. For believers today, it offers profound comfort and hope in times of personal injustice, persecution, or oppression. It assures us that God is aware of our suffering, and He is a God of justice who will ultimately right all wrongs. It reminds us not to take vengeance into our own hands, but to trust in God's sovereign timing and method of delivering justice. It also serves as a warning to anyone who might be tempted to oppress or exploit others, reminding them that God sees and will hold all accountable for their actions, as seen in passages like [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, I will repay").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 51:23 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "cup of trembling" that Jerusalem drank, representing the wrath of God against sin and the resulting suffering, is powerfully echoed in Christ's own experience. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will" ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")). Here, Jesus willingly took upon Himself the full "cup of God's wrath" for the sins of humanity, enduring the ultimate affliction and humiliation on the cross, far surpassing the physical and spiritual degradation described for Jerusalem. He became the one who "laid his body as the ground" for our salvation, bearing the weight of our transgressions. Through His suffering and death, Christ exhausted the cup of God's wrath, so that those who believe in Him might never have to drink it. The reversal promised in Isaiah 51:23, where the cup is passed to the oppressors, is ultimately realized in Christ's victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness. His resurrection signifies the ultimate vindication of the righteous, and His return will bring about the final judgment of all who have afflicted His people and resisted His reign, as described in [Revelation 19:15](/revelation/19-15 "Revelation 19:15 - The Sword from Christ's Mouth"). Thus, Christ is both the one who drank the cup for us and the one who will, in the end, administer the cup of judgment to all unrighteousness, ensuring God's perfect justice and the eternal vindication of His redeemed.

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

Joshua 10:24

And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.

Zechariah 12:2

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah [and] against Jerusalem.

Revelation 11:2

But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty [and] two months.

Psalms 65:11

Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.

Psalms 65:12

They drop [upon] the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.

Proverbs 11:8

¶ The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

Jeremiah 25:15

¶ For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.