Isaiah 57:21

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

There is no peace {H7965}, saith {H559} my God {H430}, to the wicked {H7563}.

There is no shalom, says my God, for the wicked.

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

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

Isaiah 57:21 delivers a stark and powerful declaration from God concerning the state of the wicked. This verse concludes a section of prophecy that contrasts the comfort promised to the righteous with the inevitable turmoil of those who reject God's ways.

Context

This verse is found within a broader prophetic message in Isaiah chapters 56-57. The prophet Isaiah frequently addresses the spiritual decay, idolatry, and unfaithfulness prevalent among the people of Israel. While the preceding verses in chapter 57 lament the death of the righteous and condemn the nation's spiritual adultery and idol worship, verse 21 serves as a concluding summary of the consequences of such a life. It underscores that despite their efforts to find security or satisfaction apart from God, true tranquility will elude them. This declaration echoes an earlier warning in Isaiah, emphasizing that there is no peace for the wicked.

Key Themes

  • Absence of True Peace: The most prominent theme is the categorical denial of peace to the wicked. The Hebrew word for peace, shalom (שָׁלוֹם), means far more than just the absence of conflict. It encompasses wholeness, completeness, well-being, prosperity, harmony, and a deep sense of security. The verse asserts that those who live in rebellion against God cannot experience this comprehensive, holistic peace.
  • Divine Authority: The phrase "saith my God" emphasizes that this is not merely a human observation but a divine, immutable truth. It is a declaration from the sovereign Lord, highlighting the certainty and universality of this principle across all generations.
  • Consequences of Unrighteousness: The verse directly links wickedness with a lack of peace. Wickedness, in a biblical sense, refers to a life characterized by disregard for God's laws, rebellion against His will, and actions that harm oneself and others. Such a lifestyle inherently generates inner turmoil, guilt, fear, and discord, preventing genuine peace. Their inner turmoil is often reflected outwardly, as described in Proverbs 28:1, where the wicked flee when no one pursues.

Linguistic Insights

The term shalom (שָׁלוֹם) is crucial here. It is not simply the cessation of war but a deep, abiding sense of well-being and right relationship. The wicked, by definition, are out of right relationship with God, and therefore cannot experience true shalom. Their pursuits, whether wealth, power, or pleasure, ultimately fail to provide this inner tranquility.

Practical Application

Isaiah 57:21 serves as a profound warning and a call to introspection. For those seeking genuine peace, this verse clarifies its source and its absence. True, lasting peace is not found in worldly achievements or temporary pleasures, but in reconciliation with God. It encourages individuals to examine their lives and turn away from wickedness, understanding that peace is a byproduct of living in harmony with God's will. In contrast, believers can experience the peace of God that transcends all understanding, which guards their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 48:22

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

  • Isaiah 59:8

    The way of peace they know not; and [there is] no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.

  • 2 Kings 9:22

    And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, [Is it] peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts [are so] many?

  • Isaiah 3:11

    Woe unto the wicked! [it shall be] ill [with him]: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

  • Romans 3:16

    Destruction and misery [are] in their ways:

  • Romans 3:17

    And the way of peace have they not known:

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