Isaiah 57:16

KJV

For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls [which] I have made.

KJV (with Strong's)

For I will not contend {H7378} for ever {H5769}, neither will I be always {H5331} wroth {H7107}: for the spirit {H7307} should fail {H5848} before {H6440} me, and the souls {H5397} which I have made {H6213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For I will not fight them forever or always nurse my anger; otherwise their spirits would faint before me, the creatures I myself have made.

Berean Standard Bible

For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me, with the breath of those I have made.

American Standard Version

For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls that I have made.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 57:16 offers a profound revelation of God's compassionate character, assuring His people that His disciplinary contention and wrath are not perpetual. This divine self-limitation stems from His role as the Creator and Sustainer of life, for an unending display of His displeasure would cause the very "spirit" and "souls" He has made to utterly fail and perish. The verse underscores God's ultimate desire for the preservation and restoration of His creation, tempering judgment with mercy to ensure the continuation of life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 57:16 is situated within a significant section of the book (chapters 40-66), often referred to as "Second Isaiah," which primarily addresses the exilic and post-exilic community. This portion of Isaiah masterfully weaves together themes of judgment for Israel's persistent idolatry and unfaithfulness with glorious promises of comfort, restoration, and a new covenant. Chapter 57 specifically begins with a lament over the death of the righteous and a scathing indictment of the nation's widespread spiritual apostasy, idolatry, and moral corruption. However, a pivotal shift occurs around [Isaiah 57:14](/isaiah/57-14 "Isaiah 57:14 - Preparing the Way"), where God declares His intention to prepare a way for His people. This declaration culminates in [Isaiah 57:15](/isaiah/57-15 "Isaiah 57:15 - God's Dwelling with the Humble"), where the High and Lofty One, who inhabits eternity, paradoxically chooses to dwell with the humble and contrite in spirit to revive them. Verse 16 then serves as the divine rationale for this merciful disposition, explaining why God's wrath, though righteous, cannot be eternal: His ultimate desire is the preservation of the life He created, not its annihilation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for this section of Isaiah is the Babylonian exile and the subsequent return. The people of Israel had faced the devastating consequences of their covenant unfaithfulness, experiencing the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, and forced displacement from their land. In this context of national trauma, despair, and spiritual apathy, the prophet addresses both the lingering idolatry that plagued the nation (even in exile) and the need for hope and repentance. Culturally, the people were familiar with the concept of divine judgment for sin, as outlined in the Mosaic Law. However, the revelation in [Isaiah 57:16](/isaiah/57-16 "Isaiah 57:16 - God's Mercy and Preservation of Life") introduces a crucial nuance: God's justice is always tempered by His covenantal faithfulness and His intrinsic nature as the Giver of life. The imagery of "spirit" and "souls" failing before God would resonate deeply with a people who understood life itself as a direct gift and sustained breath from the divine.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Isaiah and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Mercy and Compassion**, demonstrating that God's anger is not an end in itself but a means to bring about repentance and restoration. His declaration, "I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth," underscores His patience and willingness to extend grace, even after periods of deserved discipline, echoing the LORD's character as "merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" as found in [Psalm 103:8](/psalms/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - God's Mercy and Compassion"). Secondly, it emphasizes the **Preservation of Life**, revealing God's commitment to His creation. The reason His wrath is not unending is His role as the Creator and Sustainer; if His anger were perpetual, the very life-breath and spiritual essence He imparted to humanity would cease to exist. This speaks to His unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan and the flourishing of His creation, not its annihilation. Lastly, for those experiencing God's discipline or conviction, this verse offers immense **Hope Amidst Judgment**. It signifies that divine correction is always purposeful and temporary, aimed at leading to repentance and restoration, rather than ultimate destruction. It reassures believers that God's discipline has a limit, always opening a path for healing and renewed relationship, as further seen in the promises of peace for the contrite in [Isaiah 57:19](/isaiah/57-19 "Isaiah 57:19 - Peace for the Far and Near").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **contend (Hebrew, _rîyb'_):** From the primitive root H7378, meaning "to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend." In this context, it signifies God's ongoing legal dispute or disciplinary action against His people due to their disobedience and spiritual unfaithfulness. The declaration "I will not contend for ever" indicates a divine limit to this period of judgment and accusation.
* **wroth (Hebrew, _qâtsaph'_):** From the primitive root H7107, meaning "to crack off, i.e. (figuratively) burst out in rage; (be) anger(-ry), displease, fret self, (provoke to) wrath (come), be wroth." This word describes God's righteous indignation and anger towards sin. The phrase "neither will I be always wroth" emphasizes the temporary nature of this divine wrath, assuring that His anger is not an eternal state directed at His repentant people.
* **souls (Hebrew, _nᵉshâmâh'_):** From H5397, meaning "a puff, i.e. wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect. or (concretely) an animal; blast, (that) breath(-eth), inspiration, soul, spirit." This term, often used in parallel with "spirit" (rûwach), refers to the vital breath, the life principle, and the inner being that God imparts to humanity. The phrase "the souls [which] I have made" highlights humanity's complete dependence on God for existence and underscores His commitment to preserving the life He originated.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For I will not contend for ever":** This clause introduces God's merciful declaration. The divine "contention" (rîyb) refers to God's legal and disciplinary engagement with His people due to their sin. The phrase "for ever" (ʻôwlâm) emphasizes that this period of divine judgment and striving will not be unending. God sets a limit to His disciplinary actions.
* **"neither will I be always wroth":** This second parallel clause reinforces the first, stating that God's "wrath" (qâtsaph), His righteous anger against sin, will also not be perpetual. The word "always" (netsach) further stresses the temporary nature of His indignation. This reveals a God who, while just in His anger, does not delight in eternal punishment for those He seeks to restore.
* **"for the spirit should fail before me":** This clause provides the divine rationale for God's self-limitation. "Spirit" (rûwach) here refers to the breath of life, the vital essence of a living being. If God's contention and wrath were unending, the very life-force and inner vitality He bestowed upon humanity would "fail" (ʻâṭaph), meaning to languish, faint, or be overwhelmed. This highlights God's commitment to sustaining the life He created.
* **"and the souls [which] I have made.":** This final clause parallels the preceding one, emphasizing the totality of human existence. "Souls" (nᵉshâmâh) refers to the entire living being, infused with breath and life by God. The phrase "which I have made" (ʻâsâh) underscores God's role as the sovereign Creator. The implication is profound: God's ultimate purpose is not destruction but preservation, and His nature as Creator necessitates a limit to His wrath, lest His own creation perish.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 57:16 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Parallelism** is prominently featured, particularly in the opening clauses: "I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth." This synonymous parallelism reinforces the core message of God's limited wrath, using two distinct but related terms ("contend" and "wroth") to express the same divine restraint. Further, the subsequent clauses, "for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls [which] I have made," exhibit a beautiful **synthetic parallelism**, where the second line expands upon and completes the thought of the first, emphasizing the totality of human life (spirit and souls) that would perish under unending divine displeasure. The verse also utilizes **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human emotions and actions (contending, being wroth) to God. This makes God's character more relatable and understandable to human readers, even as it describes His divine attributes. Finally, the verse implicitly demonstrates **Divine Self-Limitation**, a theological concept where God, in His sovereignty, chooses to restrain His own attributes (like wrath) for a higher purpose – in this case, the preservation of His creation. This self-limitation is not a weakness but a profound expression of His love and commitment to His covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 57:16 is a cornerstone verse for understanding the nuanced nature of God's justice and mercy. It reveals that while God is indeed holy and righteous, necessitating His contention with sin and His righteous wrath, these attributes are not expressed eternally or without purpose. His ultimate aim is not annihilation but redemption and the preservation of the life He has graciously given. This divine self-limitation stems from His very essence as the Creator and Sustainer, who desires relationship with His creation. The verse teaches that God's discipline is always redemptive, designed to lead to repentance and revival, rather than to utterly consume. It offers profound comfort, assuring that even in the midst of judgment, God's compassion prevails, ensuring that a remnant, a "spirit" and "souls" that He has made, will endure.
* [Psalm 103:8-10](/psalms/103-8 "Psalm 103:8-10 - God's Mercy and Steadfast Love"): "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities."
* [Lamentations 3:31-33](/lamentations/3-31 "Lamentations 3:31-33 - God's Compassion Endures"): "For the Lord will not cast off forever, but though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men."
* [Job 34:14-15](/job/34-14 "Job 34:14-15 - God as Sustainer of Life"): "If he should set his heart to it and gather to himself his spirit and his breath, all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 57:16 offers immense comfort and a vital understanding of God's character, providing a beacon of hope for all who seek His mercy. For individuals, this verse assures us that when we face difficulties, divine correction, or the consequences of our own sin, God's intent is not to destroy but to refine, restore, and preserve life. His anger, though real and just, is always tempered by His boundless love and His ultimate purpose to sustain His creation. This understanding encourages us to approach God with confidence, knowing that His patience is an invitation to genuine repentance, leading to the peace and healing He promises. It also reminds us that our very existence is a gift from Him, and His commitment to our "spirit" and "souls" means His discipline has a limit, always opening a path for renewed relationship and flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's self-limitation of wrath impact your view of His justice and mercy?**
* **In what ways have you experienced God's "contention" or "wrath" in your life, and how does this verse offer comfort in those moments?**
* **What practical steps can you take to respond to God's patience and invitation to repentance, knowing He does not contend forever?**

### FAQ
**Why does God contend or get wroth at all if He doesn't want to destroy?**

Answer: God's contention and wrath are expressions of His perfect holiness and justice. He is a God who cannot tolerate sin, which is a rebellion against His good and perfect will. His "contention" (Hebrew, _rîyb_) is like a legal dispute, bringing charges against His people for their unfaithfulness and idolatry, as seen throughout the prophetic books like [Isaiah 1:2-4](/isaiah/1-2 "Isaiah 1:2-4 - God's Complaint Against Israel"). His "wrath" (Hebrew, _qâtsaph_) is a righteous indignation against evil. These are not arbitrary outbursts but just responses to sin that harms His creation and breaks His covenant. However, Isaiah 57:16 clarifies that these expressions of judgment are not eternal or destructive in their ultimate intent. Instead, they are disciplinary, designed to bring about repentance and restoration, preventing the utter failure of the "spirit" and "souls" He has made. God's anger is a means to an end – the preservation and sanctification of His people – not an end in itself.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 57:16 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The verse declares that God will not contend forever or remain eternally wroth, lest the "spirit" and "souls" He has made should fail. This divine restraint, born out of God's love for His creation, is perfectly embodied in Christ. Humanity, having fallen short of God's glory, was indeed under divine contention and wrath, deserving of eternal separation from the life-giving presence of God. However, God, "being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ" ([Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4 "Ephesians 2:4-5 - Made Alive in Christ")). Jesus, as the Lamb of God, absorbed the full measure of God's righteous wrath on the cross, becoming the propitiation for our sins ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ Our Propitiation")). Through His sacrifice, the eternal contention against humanity was satisfied, and the perpetual wrath was averted for all who believe. He came "that they may have life and have it abundantly" ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - The Abundant Life")), ensuring that the "spirit" and "souls" God made would not fail but would be revived and given new, eternal life through Him ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). Christ is the ultimate demonstration of God's commitment to preserve and restore the life He created, offering reconciliation and a new covenant where God's wrath is appeased and His mercy reigns supreme.

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

Micah 7:18

Who [is] a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth [in] mercy.

Psalms 103:9

He will not always chide: neither will he keep [his anger] for ever.

Psalms 103:16

For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

Psalms 85:5

Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?

Hebrews 12:9

Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected [us], and we gave [them] reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

Jeremiah 10:24

O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.

Numbers 16:22

And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?