Isaiah 57:10

KJV

Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; [yet] saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou art wearied {H3021} in the greatness {H7230} of thy way {H1870}; yet saidst {H559} thou not, There is no hope {H2976}: thou hast found {H4672} the life {H2416} of thine hand {H3027}; therefore thou wast not grieved {H2470}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Though worn out by so much travel, you did not say, 'All hope is gone'; rather, finding your strength renewed, you did not grow weak.

Berean Standard Bible

You are wearied by your many journeys, but you did not say, “There is no hope!” You found renewal of your strength; therefore you did not grow weak.

American Standard Version

Thou wast wearied with the length of thy way; yet saidst thou not, It is in vain: thou didst find a quickening of thy strength; therefore thou wast not faint.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 57:10 delivers a profound indictment of ancient Israel's spiritual condition, depicting a people utterly exhausted by their relentless pursuit of self-directed paths and idolatrous alliances. Despite this profound weariness, they stubbornly refuse to acknowledge the futility of their efforts or the depth of their despair. Instead, they manage to extract a temporary, self-generated sense of vitality or success, an illusion of self-sufficiency that tragically prevents them from experiencing the necessary godly grief. This lack of true sorrow, in turn, hinders genuine repentance and a transformative return to the Lord, underscoring the deceptive nature of self-reliance and the spiritual blindness that can accompany a refusal to confront one's true spiritual bankruptcy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 57 functions as a sharp prophetic denunciation of Israel's pervasive spiritual infidelity, idolatry, and reliance on human schemes rather than on Yahweh. This chapter immediately precedes a significant shift in Isaiah's prophecy (chapters 58-66), which moves towards themes of restoration, true worship, and future glory for God's people. Within chapter 57 itself, verses 1-2 mourn the loss of the righteous, who are mercifully removed from impending evil, while verses 3-10 launch into a severe condemnation of the wicked. This condemnation details their persistent engagement in idolatry, child sacrifice, and illicit spiritual practices. Verse 10 specifically describes the exhausting and ultimately fruitless nature of these rebellious "ways," setting a stark contrast with God's subsequent promise of comfort and peace for the humble and contrite in heart later in the chapter ([Isaiah 57:15-19](/isaiah/57-15-19 "God's Comfort for the Humble")). The restless and unceasing turmoil of the wicked ([Isaiah 57:20-21](/isaiah/57-20-21 "The Wicked Have No Peace")) further emphasizes this contrast. The "greatness of thy way" in verse 10 directly references the extensive and elaborate efforts described in the preceding verses, such as making beds on high mountains for pagan rituals ([Isaiah 57:7](/isaiah/57-7 "Idolatrous Practices on High Places")) and dispatching envoys to distant lands for foreign alliances ([Isaiah 57:9](/isaiah/57-9 "Seeking Alliances with Distant Powers")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Isaiah ministered during the tumultuous 8th century BCE, a period characterized by the formidable expansion of the Assyrian Empire and the subsequent decline of both the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The "way" referred to in this verse likely encompasses Judah's misguided foreign policy, wherein they sought security through alliances with powerful nations like Egypt or Assyria, rather than placing their trust in the Lord. This theme of misplaced trust is a recurring motif throughout Isaiah's prophecies, as seen in his warnings against relying on Egypt for help ([Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1-7 "Reliance on Egypt")) or on military might ([Isaiah 31:1-3](/isaiah/31-1-3 "Reliance on Horses and Chariots")). Culturally, the people were deeply immersed in syncretistic religious practices, blending the worship of Yahweh with Canaanite fertility cults and other pagan rituals. These practices often involved "high places," sacred trees, and even the horrific act of child sacrifice ([Isaiah 57:5-6](/isaiah/57-5-6 "Idolatry and Child Sacrifice")). Such endeavors were not casual but demanded immense effort, resources, and unwavering commitment, leading to a profound spiritual and even physical weariness, yet failing to provide the promised security or genuine spiritual satisfaction.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several major theological and narrative themes within the book of Isaiah. Firstly, it powerfully highlights the **futility of human effort apart from God**, emphasizing that even tremendous exertion (the "greatness of thy way") expended on self-chosen paths leads only to weariness, not true peace or security. This resonates with the broader prophetic critique of reliance on human strength or foreign powers instead of divine sovereignty, a truth encapsulated in the call to find salvation in repentance and rest ([Isaiah 30:15](/isaiah/30-15 "In Repentance and Rest is Your Salvation")). Secondly, the verse addresses the critical theme of **spiritual blindness and unrepentance**, where the people's self-sufficiency ("found the life of thine hand") prevents them from acknowledging their desperate spiritual state or experiencing godly sorrow. Such sorrow is presented elsewhere as a prerequisite for genuine repentance and restoration ([2 Corinthians 7:10](/2-corinthians/7-10 "Godly Sorrow Leading to Repentance")). Finally, Isaiah 57:10 implicitly contrasts the false "life" derived from human means with the true, abundant life offered by God to those who turn to Him in humility and faith, a theme that culminates in the glorious promises of the "new heavens and new earth" ([Isaiah 65:17-25](/isaiah/65-17-25 "The New Heavens and New Earth")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **wearied (Hebrew, _yâgaʻ'_):** From H3021, meaning "to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil." This word vividly portrays the profound physical and spiritual fatigue experienced by the people as a direct consequence of their strenuous, self-directed efforts in idolatry and misguided alliances. It denotes not a superficial tiredness but a deep, debilitating exhaustion resulting from intense and often fruitless labor.
* **hope (Hebrew, _yâʼash'_):** From H2976, meaning "to desist, i.e. (figuratively) to despond; (cause to) despair, one that is desperate, be no hope." The phrase "saidst thou not, There is no hope" is critically important. Despite their profound weariness, the people never reached a point of utter despair or acknowledged the inherent hopelessness of their chosen path. This failure to despair was, paradoxically, a failure to recognize their true spiritual condition, which might otherwise have led them to turn to God.
* **grieved (Hebrew, _châlâh'_):** From H2470, meaning "to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or (causatively) to grieve, make sick." This word indicates a state of distress, sorrow, or profound affliction. The concluding phrase "therefore thou wast not grieved" signifies a profound lack of genuine sorrow or repentant affliction over their sin and its devastating consequences. Because they managed to find a false "life" in their own efforts, they were spared the necessary spiritual pain that could have prompted a turning back to God in humility and repentance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way;":** This initial clause powerfully describes the immense effort and the resultant exhaustion of the nation. "The greatness of thy way" refers to the extensive, laborious, and often self-initiated endeavors they undertook in pursuing their own agendas, particularly their fervent idolatrous practices and their desperate, misplaced trust in foreign alliances. This "way" was not a path ordained by God but one of their own choosing, leading only to profound fatigue without any true spiritual benefit or lasting security.
* **"yet saidst thou not, There is no hope:":** Despite the debilitating weariness that should have signaled the futility of their pursuits, the people never reached a point of despair or acknowledged the utter hopelessness of their chosen path. They stubbornly refused to admit that their self-reliant efforts were leading nowhere, thereby preventing any possibility of turning to God for true and enduring hope. This indicates a deep-seated spiritual blindness, an unyielding stubbornness, and a profound self-deception.
* **"thou hast found the life of thine hand;":** This clause represents a crucial turning point and the core of their spiritual delusion. Instead of succumbing to despair, they managed to derive a temporary, self-generated sense of vitality, sustenance, or success through their own efforts, illicit gains, or worldly connections. This "life of thine hand" is a deceptive self-sufficiency, an illusion of control and well-being that originates solely from human means and ingenuity rather than from divine provision and grace.
* **"therefore thou wast not grieved.":** The tragic consequence of finding this self-derived "life" was a profound absence of genuine sorrow or repentance. Because they experienced a false sense of security or accomplishment, they were spared the conviction and spiritual pain that would have led them to mourn their sin, acknowledge their need, and seek God's mercy. This lack of godly grief indicates a hardened heart, resistant to the spiritual transformation that true repentance brings.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 57:10 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its poignant message. **Personification** is clearly evident as the prophet addresses the nation directly, "Thou art wearied," treating the collective people as an individual experiencing profound exhaustion. The phrase "greatness of thy way" utilizes **hyperbole** to emphasize the extraordinary and laborious nature of their misguided pursuits, highlighting the disproportionate effort expended for their ultimately fruitless outcomes. The central image of "the life of thine hand" functions as a potent **metaphor** for self-sufficiency and reliance on human effort. This metaphor stands in stark contrast to the true life that originates from God, exposing the illusory nature of vitality derived from one's own means. The entire verse, in its depiction of a self-sustaining delusion, functions as a form of profound **irony**: the very "success" (finding "life of thine hand") that the people achieve becomes the primary barrier to their true spiritual well-being, preventing the necessary grief that could lead to genuine repentance and divine restoration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 57:10 profoundly articulates the spiritual danger inherent in self-sufficiency and the persistent human tendency to cling to futile endeavors rather than humbly acknowledging divine truth. The nation's weariness, coupled with its stubborn refusal to despair and its ability to conjure temporary "life" through its own means, vividly illustrates a universal human condition: the relentless pursuit of fulfillment and security apart from God. This pervasive self-reliance creates a deceptive comfort, effectively numbing the heart to its true spiritual sickness and preventing the godly sorrow that is a prerequisite for genuine repentance. The passage serves as a stark and timeless reminder that true spiritual vitality, lasting peace, and ultimate security are never found in the "greatness of our way" or the "life of our hand," but exclusively in humble, unwavering dependence on the sovereign God.

* [Proverbs 14:12](/proverbs/14-12 "There is a way that seems right to a man")
* [Jeremiah 17:5](/jeremiah/17-5 "Cursed is the one who trusts in man")
* [Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Come to me, all who are weary")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 57:10 speaks with remarkable relevance to the human condition, even millennia after its pronouncement. We often find ourselves "wearied in the greatness of our way," expending immense energy and resources in pursuits that ultimately leave us feeling empty, perpetually striving, or deeply unfulfilled. This profound weariness can manifest from a relentless pursuit of professional success, the accumulation of material possessions, the quest for social approval, or even from religious activity that lacks genuine spiritual connection and divine empowerment. The profound danger, as highlighted in this verse, is not merely the exhaustion itself but our stubborn refusal to acknowledge the futility or inherent hopelessness of these self-driven paths. We may indeed find temporary "life" or fleeting satisfaction in our achievements, our self-made comforts, or our worldly connections. However, this deceptive vitality then tragically prevents us from experiencing the necessary "grief"—the godly sorrow that leads to repentance and a turning towards true, lasting hope found only in God. This verse issues a powerful call to honest self-assessment, urging us to scrutinize the true source of our vitality and the ultimate direction of our life's efforts. It compels us to embrace humility and allow any weariness we experience to lead us not to greater self-reliance, but to a profound and liberating dependence on the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I "wearied in the greatness of my way," expending significant effort without experiencing true spiritual fruit or lasting peace?**
* **What "life of my hand" (self-derived comforts, achievements, or resources) might be preventing me from acknowledging my true spiritual needs or experiencing godly sorrow over my sin and self-reliance?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that is willing to grieve over sin and self-reliance, leading to genuine repentance and a deeper, more profound reliance on God's grace and provision?**

### FAQ
**What does "the greatness of thy way" mean in Isaiah 57:10?**

Answer: "The greatness of thy way" refers to the extensive, laborious, and often self-chosen paths or endeavors that the people of Israel pursued with immense effort and dedication. In this specific context, it primarily encompasses their fervent engagement in various idolatrous practices, such as worshiping pagan deities on high places (as explicitly mentioned in [Isaiah 57:7](/isaiah/57-7 "Idolatry on High Mountains")), and their misguided efforts to secure political alliances with powerful foreign nations like Egypt or Assyria, rather than placing their trust and security in God (a recurring theme throughout Isaiah, for example, in [Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1-7 "Reliance on Egypt")). These were not passive acts but involved significant commitment, resources, and often physical exertion, leading to a profound weariness without yielding true peace, security, or divine favor.

**Why is it significant that the people "saidst thou not, There is no hope" despite being wearied?**

Answer: This phrase highlights the profound spiritual blindness, stubbornness, and self-deception of the people. Despite being utterly exhausted and worn out by their futile pursuits, they never reached a point of despair or acknowledged the utter hopelessness of their self-reliant path. This refusal to admit their desperate situation was a critical barrier to genuine repentance and a turning to God. True hope, in the biblical sense, often begins with the humble recognition of one's own inadequacy and the futility of human effort apart from God. By adamantly refusing to say "There is no hope" in their own strength or schemes, they effectively prevented themselves from seeking the only true and lasting hope, which is found exclusively in Yahweh. This stubborn self-deception tragically kept them from turning to the Lord for deliverance and true rest, the very rest offered to all who are weary and burdened in passages like [Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Come to me, all who are weary").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 57:10, with its poignant depiction of a people wearied by their self-chosen paths, finding a deceptive "life" in their own efforts, and thus avoiding the necessary grief that leads to repentance, finds its ultimate answer and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Humanity, in its fallen state, mirrors ancient Israel, perpetually "wearied in the greatness of its way," striving for meaning, security, and righteousness through self-effort, religious rituals, or worldly achievements, only to find profound exhaustion and spiritual emptiness. The "life of thine hand" represents every futile attempt to find salvation or satisfaction apart from God – a deceptive vitality that prevents us from acknowledging our true spiritual bankruptcy and desperate need for a Savior. However, Christ offers the genuine antidote to this universal weariness. He extends a gracious invitation to all who are "weary and burdened" to come to Him and find "rest for your souls" ([Matthew 11:28-29](/matthew/11-28-29 "Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). Unlike the self-derived "life" that numbs the heart and prevents godly grief, the Holy Spirit, sent by Christ, convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment ([John 16:8](/john/16-8 "The Spirit Convicts")). This divine conviction leads to a godly sorrow that produces repentance without regret, a sorrow that ultimately leads to salvation ([2 Corinthians 7:10](/2-corinthians/7-10 "Godly Sorrow Leads to Salvation")). In Christ, the true "life" is not found in the "hand" of human effort or self-sufficiency but is a glorious gift of grace, freely given through His atoning sacrifice on the cross ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "Jesus Gives Abundant Life")). He is the Lamb of God who truly takes away the sin of the world, offering eternal life to all who believe, a life that is not self-generated but divinely bestowed and eternally secure ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God") and [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God So Loved the World")).

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

Jeremiah 2:25

Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.

Jeremiah 18:12

And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.

Jeremiah 5:3

O LORD, [are] not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, [but] they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.

Habakkuk 2:13

Behold, [is it] not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?

Jeremiah 3:3

Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.

Ezekiel 24:12

She hath wearied [herself] with lies, and her great scum went not forth out of her: her scum [shall be] in the fire.

2 Chronicles 28:22

And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this [is that] king Ahaz.