Isaiah 57:1

KJV

¶ The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth [it] to heart: and merciful men [are] taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil [to come].

KJV (with Strong's)

The righteous {H6662} perisheth {H6}, and no man {H376} layeth {H7760} it to heart {H3820}: and merciful {H2617} men {H582} are taken away {H622}, none considering {H995} that the righteous {H6662} is taken away {H622} from {H6440} the evil {H7451} to come.

Complete Jewish Bible

The righteous person perishes, and nobody gives it a thought. Godly men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous person is taken away from the evil yet to come.

Berean Standard Bible

The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; devout men are swept away, while no one considers that the righteous are guided from the presence of evil.

American Standard Version

The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart; and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 57:1 delivers a poignant lament over the unheeded passing of the righteous and merciful, revealing God's sovereign and compassionate purpose in their removal. It highlights a profound societal indifference to the spiritual significance of these deaths, as the community fails to discern that God is graciously shielding His faithful servants from the impending "evil to come." This verse serves as both a comfort to those who grieve the godly and a solemn, unspoken warning to a spiritually apathetic generation, signaling the withdrawal of a restraining presence before the onset of divine judgment and tribulation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse initiates a new prophetic section (chapters 57-59) within Isaiah, shifting focus from the preceding condemnation of corrupt leadership (Isaiah 56:9-12) to a broader indictment of Israel's pervasive idolatry, moral depravity, and spiritual apathy. The "blind watchmen" and "greedy dogs" of chapter 56 provide a stark contrast to the "righteous" and "merciful men" lamented in 57:1, emphasizing the tragic loss of true spiritual guides. The subsequent verses in chapter 57 vividly detail the nation's specific transgressions, including their pursuit of pagan worship "among the oaks" ([Isaiah 57:5](/isaiah/57-5 "Isaiah 57:5 - Idolatry Under Oaks")) and their spiritual unfaithfulness likened to harlotry "upon every high hill and under every green tree" ([Isaiah 57:7](/isaiah/57-7 "Isaiah 57:7 - Spiritual Harlotry")). Thus, the removal of the righteous is presented not as an isolated event but as a precursor to the full manifestation of the nation's sin and the inevitable divine judgment that follows.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah's prophetic ministry spanned a turbulent period in Judah's history, approximately from 740 to 680 BC, encompassing the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. This era was characterized by the looming threat of the Assyrian Empire, political instability, and a widespread syncretism where pagan religious practices deeply infiltrated Israelite worship. The "evil to come" (Hebrew: _raʻ_) likely refers to the various forms of national calamity, including military invasion, forced exile, and divine judgment, which would ultimately culminate in the Babylonian captivity. In the broader ancient Near Eastern context, the death of virtuous or prominent individuals might often be interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure or a weakening of societal foundations. However, Isaiah radically reinterprets this common perception, revealing God's protective hand upon the righteous rather than a punitive one, showcasing a profound theological insight into divine providence amidst national decline.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 57:1 significantly contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout the book of Isaiah. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, illustrating God's ultimate control over life and death, and His purposeful orchestration of events, even those that appear sorrowful, for His higher redemptive and judicial purposes. It vividly highlights the stark **Contrast Between Righteousness and Wickedness**, delineating the distinct fates and experiences of those who walk with God versus those who persist in rebellion, a pervasive theme in prophetic and wisdom literature, powerfully articulated in [Psalm 1:6](/psalms/1-6 "Psalm 1:6 - The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked"). Furthermore, the verse introduces and develops the theme of **Impending Judgment and Divine Protection**, where the removal of the righteous is portrayed as a merciful act to shield them from the coming "evil"—a term encompassing national calamity, divine wrath, and the full consequences of societal sin. This act simultaneously serves as a silent, yet potent, warning to the unrepentant society, echoing the divine warnings found throughout the prophetic books, such as [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Book of Jeremiah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **perisheth (Hebrew, _ʼâbad'_ H6):** This verb signifies more than mere physical death; it encompasses concepts of being lost, vanishing, or being utterly destroyed. While here it denotes the physical demise of the righteous, its broader semantic range suggests a definitive removal from the earthly sphere, a cessation of their active presence among the living. The term conveys the finality of their departure, yet the subsequent clause in the verse redefines this "perishing" as a divinely orchestrated act of protection rather than a punitive or meaningless end.
* **layeth it to heart (Hebrew, _sûwm'_ H7760 and _lêb'_ H3820):** This idiomatic phrase literally translates to "to put to the heart." The verb _sûwm_ ("to put," "to set," or "to appoint") combined with the noun _lêb_ ("the heart," which in Hebrew thought encompasses the intellect, will, and emotions) signifies deep consideration, serious reflection, or the internalization of a truth. The negative construction, "no man layeth it to heart," powerfully conveys a profound societal apathy, a severe lack of spiritual discernment, and an inability or unwillingness to grasp the true, divine significance of the righteous's departure. It points to a spiritual dullness that prevents recognition of God's sovereign hand in current events.
* **merciful men (Hebrew, _chêçêd'_ H2617 and _ʼĕnôwsh'_ H582):** The term _chêçêd_ is one of the richest and most profound theological words in the Old Testament, often rendered as "lovingkindness," "steadfast love," "mercy," or "faithfulness." It describes a loyal, covenantal love that is active, benevolent, and enduring. When combined with _ʼĕnôwsh_ (a general term for "man," often emphasizing human frailty or mortality, distinguishing it from the more dignified _ʼâdâm_), "merciful men" refers to individuals characterized by deep piety, unwavering covenant faithfulness, and active compassion rooted in their relationship with God. Their removal is therefore particularly grievous, as they embody the very qualities God desires and upholds within His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth [it] to heart:"** This opening clause establishes the central lament of the prophet: the death of godly individuals. The verb "perisheth" (from _ʼâbad_) indicates their physical demise, a stark reality immediately juxtaposed with the societal response: "no man layeth it to heart." This highlights a pervasive spiritual indifference and a profound lack of discernment among the people. They fail to recognize the gravity or deeper significance of the righteous's departure, demonstrating a spiritual blindness to God's workings and warnings in their midst.
* **"and merciful men [are] taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil [to come]."** This second clause functions as a synonymous parallelism, reiterating and expanding upon the first. "Merciful men" (from _chêçêd_) refers to those characterized by steadfast love and faithfulness, both to God and to others. They are "taken away" (from _ʼâçaph_, implying being gathered or removed, often with a divine connotation). The phrase "none considering" (from _bîyn_, to understand or discern) further emphasizes the societal failure to grasp the deeper meaning. The crucial revelation comes with the purpose of their removal: "that the righteous is taken away from the evil [to come]." This unveils God's merciful intention – to spare His faithful servants from the impending national calamities, suffering, or divine judgment that awaits the unrighteous, revealing a protective rather than punitive divine act.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 57:1 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Parallelism** is prominently featured in the two main clauses, where "The righteous perisheth" is directly paralleled by "merciful men are taken away," and the societal apathy, "no man layeth it to heart," is echoed by "none considering." This skillful repetition not only emphasizes the dual tragedy of the righteous's departure and the people's spiritual indifference but also reinforces the central message. The verse also utilizes **Euphemism** for death, describing it as "perishing" and being "taken away," which subtly softens the starkness of death while simultaneously hinting at a divine hand in the process, suggesting a purposeful rather than accidental end. There is a poignant element of **Irony** in the people's lack of concern; what they perceive as a simple, perhaps unfortunate, death is, in God's sovereign perspective, an act of profound divine mercy and protection. Finally, the phrase "evil to come" functions as a powerful form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at impending judgment, tribulation, or national calamity for the unrepentant nation, from which the righteous are graciously and purposefully spared.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 57:1 offers profound theological insights into the nature of God's sovereignty, His justice, and His boundless mercy. It reveals that even in seemingly tragic or inexplicable events like the death of the righteous, God is actively working out His overarching purposes. Their removal is not an arbitrary occurrence but a deliberate act of divine protection, shielding them from the "evil to come"—a concept that resonates throughout biblical history, where God frequently separates His faithful people from impending judgment, as powerfully illustrated in the narratives of Noah before the flood and Lot before the destruction of Sodom. This verse profoundly challenges our limited human perspective on suffering and death, inviting us to look beyond immediate appearances to discern God's higher, often merciful, intentions. It underscores the comforting truth that for the faithful, death is not a final end but a purposeful transition into God's presence, away from the tribulations and judgments of the earthly realm.

* [2 Kings 22:20](/2_kings/22-20 "2 Kings 22:20 - Josiah's Death and Protection from Evil")
* [Revelation 14:13](/revelation/14-13 "Revelation 14:13 - Blessed Are the Dead Who Die in the Lord")
* [Psalm 116:15](/psalms/116-15 "Psalm 116:15 - Precious in the Sight of the Lord is the Death of His Saints")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 57:1 serves as a profound call to cultivate deeper spiritual discernment and a more sensitive understanding of God's intricate ways in the world. In a society often characterized by spiritual indifference and pervasive blindness to divine providence, this verse compels us to seriously "lay to heart" the significance of the lives and, particularly, the deaths of godly individuals. When faithful servants of God pass away, especially amidst escalating societal wickedness or impending crises, we are invited to reflect deeply on what their departure might signify. Is God, in His sovereign mercy, shielding them from future trials, sorrows, or judgments? Is their removal a silent, yet potent, warning to those who remain, indicating that a protective hedge is being thinned, and that divine judgment or significant tribulation may be drawing near? This verse challenges us to move beyond superficial observations and to cultivate a heart that is keenly sensitive to God's hand in all circumstances, recognizing His sovereign love even in moments of sorrow, and prompting us to genuine repentance and renewed faithfulness in light of His unfolding purposes for humanity and the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the pervasive societal indifference described in Isaiah 57:1 manifest in our contemporary culture, or even within our own spiritual lives and communities today?**
* **When faced with the profound loss of a godly person, how can we move beyond the natural grief to discern God's potential purposes and the deeper spiritual implications, as suggested by this powerful verse?**
* **In what specific ways might the "evil to come" in our current global or personal contexts relate to the "evil to come" spoken of in Isaiah's prophetic message to ancient Judah?**
* **What profound responsibility do we, as individual believers and as the church, bear to "lay to heart" the spiritual state of our society, particularly when righteous influences and moral anchors appear to diminish?**

### FAQ
**Does "evil to come" refer only to physical calamities, or can it include spiritual and moral decay?**

Answer: While the immediate historical context of Isaiah 57:1 certainly points to impending national calamities such as invasion, war, and exile (e.g., the Babylonian captivity), the Hebrew phrase "evil to come" (from _raʻ_) is broad and rich in its semantic range. It encompasses a wide spectrum of distress, including not only physical suffering and judgment but also the escalating spiritual and moral decay that often precedes and accompanies such calamities. The removal of the righteous can indeed be understood as a merciful act to spare them from witnessing or participating in the full manifestation of societal wickedness and the subsequent divine wrath. Therefore, the concept of being spared from "evil" can extend to protection from the spiritual anguish of living in a deeply corrupt and ungodly environment, as well as from the physical hardships and judgments that such corruption inevitably invites.

**Is it always true that righteous people are taken away to spare them from future evil?**

Answer: Isaiah 57:1 reveals one profound and specific divine purpose behind the death of the righteous, offering immense comfort and insight for a particular historical context. It is a powerful theological truth that God, in His infinite sovereignty and wisdom, can and does act in this way. However, it is crucial to understand that this verse does not provide an exhaustive explanation for every death of a righteous person. The Bible teaches that believers die for various reasons, including natural causes, martyrdom (as exemplified by [Stephen's martyrdom](/acts/7-54-60 "Acts 7:54-60 - Stephen's Martyrdom")), or as part of God's broader redemptive and sovereign plan. This verse specifically highlights a compassionate aspect of God's providence, assuring us that His purposes in death are always good, even if we do not fully comprehend them, and that for the believer, death is ultimately a transition to a better place, as [Philippians 1:21](/philippians/1-21 "Philippians 1:21 - To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain") so powerfully affirms.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 57:1 speaks of the righteous being graciously removed from impending temporal evil and tribulation, its deepest and most profound Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the ultimate deliverance from the greatest "evil to come": the eternal judgment for sin and everlasting separation from God. Jesus Christ, the perfectly [Righteous One](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Jesus Christ the Righteous"), did not merely escape evil; He willingly entered into the full brunt of humanity's sin and its consequences on the cross. His sacrificial death was not a removal _from_ evil, but a willing immersion _into_ it, taking upon Himself the sin of the world, so that all who believe in Him might be eternally "taken away" from the wrath to come. Through His atoning sacrifice, believers are not merely spared from earthly calamities but are decisively delivered from the power of sin, death, and the grave, receiving the gift of eternal life. Just as the righteous in Isaiah were mercifully spared from temporal tribulation, believers in Christ are eternally secured from condemnation, having been united with the One who [conquered death and the grave](/romans/6-9 "Romans 6:9 - Christ's Resurrection and Victory over Death") through His glorious resurrection. Our ultimate and most glorious "taking away from evil" is found in our unbreakable union with Christ, who has secured our place in His eternal kingdom, where there will be [no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Pain in the New Creation").

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

2 Kings 22:20

Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.

Psalms 12:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

2 Chronicles 34:28

Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again.

Micah 7:2

The good [man] is perished out of the earth: and [there is] none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.

Isaiah 42:25

Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid [it] not to heart.

Isaiah 47:7

¶ And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: [so] that thou didst not lay these [things] to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it.

Malachi 2:2

If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay [it] to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay [it] to heart.