Isaiah 57:21

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 57:21 delivers a profound and unyielding divine declaration, asserting that genuine peace is perpetually withheld from the wicked. This verse serves as a stark culmination to a prophetic section detailing Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry, contrasting the tranquility offered to those who walk in God's ways with the inherent turmoil and instability that characterizes a life lived in rebellion against Him. It underscores that true well-being, wholeness, and security—the essence of biblical *shalom*—cannot be attained by those who disregard the divine order and pursue self-serving paths.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 57:21 concludes a significant prophetic unit spanning Isaiah 56-57, which addresses the spiritual state of Israel. Chapter 56 begins with a call to righteousness and justice, welcoming foreigners and eunuchs into God's covenant, while simultaneously condemning the nation's blind watchmen and greedy leaders. Chapter 57 then shifts to lament the death of the righteous, who are taken away from impending evil, and sharply rebukes the people for their pervasive idolatry, spiritual adultery, and reliance on foreign gods and human schemes rather than the Lord. The preceding verses (57:14-20) offer a contrasting message of comfort and healing for the contrite and humble, promising peace to those near and far who turn to God. Verse 21 stands as a stark counterpoint to this promise of peace, definitively stating that such peace is unattainable for the wicked, thus drawing a clear line between the destinies of the righteous and the unrighteous.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (c. 740-681 BC). This era was marked by significant geopolitical instability, with the rising Assyrian Empire posing a constant threat. Internally, Judah struggled with widespread idolatry, social injustice, and a superficial religiosity that lacked genuine devotion to Yahweh. The people frequently engaged in syncretistic practices, adopting the worship of Canaanite deities and participating in fertility cults, often in high places and under green trees, as explicitly condemned in [Isaiah 57:5-8](/isaiah/57-5 "Isaiah 57:5-8 - Idolatry and Spiritual Adultery"). The cultural norms often involved seeking security through political alliances or pagan rituals rather than trusting in God. Isaiah's message consistently challenged these practices, calling the nation back to covenant faithfulness and highlighting the futility of seeking peace or security apart from the Lord, echoing warnings found earlier in the book, such as [Isaiah 48:22](/isaiah/48-22 "Isaiah 48:22 - No Peace for the Wicked").
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of Isaiah 57:21 is the **absence of true peace for the wicked**. This concept of "peace" (Hebrew: *shalom*) is far richer than merely the absence of conflict; it encompasses wholeness, well-being, prosperity, security, harmony, and right relationship. The verse asserts that those living in rebellion against God cannot experience this comprehensive *shalom*. Another prominent theme is **divine authority and immutable truth**, conveyed by the phrase "saith my God," which underscores that this declaration is not a human opinion but an unchangeable decree from the sovereign Lord. This highlights the certainty and universality of the principle. Furthermore, the verse emphasizes the **consequences of unrighteousness**, linking a life characterized by disregard for God's laws and rebellion against His will directly to inner turmoil, guilt, fear, and discord, preventing genuine and lasting tranquility. This aligns with the broader prophetic message that faithfulness brings blessing, while unfaithfulness brings judgment and distress, as seen in the covenant curses of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **peace (Hebrew, _shâlôwm'_):** From the root *shâlam*, meaning "to be complete, sound." This word signifies far more than the absence of conflict. It denotes a state of completeness, wholeness, well-being, prosperity, health, safety, and harmony. It implies a right relationship with God, oneself, and others. The declaration "no peace" therefore means a complete lack of this holistic well-being, indicating inner turmoil, spiritual brokenness, and a life devoid of true security or rest.
* **saith (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** A primitive root meaning "to say," used with great latitude. In this context, it emphasizes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the declaration. It is not a mere observation or human opinion, but a direct utterance from God, carrying the weight of His immutable truth and sovereign decree. This reinforces the certainty and finality of the statement.
* **wicked (Hebrew, _râshâʻ'_):** From the root *râshaʻ*, meaning "to be wicked, guilty." This term describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person, actively ungodly, or condemned. In a biblical sense, it refers to those who disregard God's laws, live in rebellion against His will, and engage in actions that are contrary to righteousness. Their wickedness is not merely a set of bad deeds but a fundamental orientation of the heart and life away from God, resulting in an inherent inability to experience true *shalom*.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"There is no peace":** This opening phrase is a categorical denial. The Hebrew *shâlôwm* (peace) is absent. This is not a temporary condition but a fundamental state of being for those described subsequently. It implies a perpetual state of unrest, inner conflict, and a lack of true well-being or security.
* **"saith my God":** This crucial interjection establishes the divine authority and immutability of the declaration. It is not Isaiah's personal opinion or a human proverb, but a direct pronouncement from Yahweh, the speaker's (Isaiah's) personal God. This phrase lends absolute certainty and universal truth to the statement, making it a timeless principle.
* **"to the wicked":** This specifies the recipients of this lack of peace. The "wicked" (*râshâʻ*) are those who are morally wrong, ungodly, and live in active rebellion against God's commands and character. Their inherent state of unrighteousness and their chosen path of disobedience are the direct causes of their inability to experience true *shalom*.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 57:21 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, as this verse stands in stark contrast to the promise of peace offered to the contrite and humble in the preceding verses (57:19). This juxtaposition highlights the absolute distinction between those who walk with God and those who reject Him. **Divine Pronouncement** is evident in the phrase "saith my God," which functions as a direct, authoritative declaration from the Lord, lending immense weight and certainty to the statement. This also serves as a form of **Prophetic Oracle**, delivering a definitive judgment. The use of the term "peace" (*shalom*) itself is a form of **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where "peace" represents the entire concept of holistic well-being, prosperity, and right relationship, emphasizing that the wicked are deprived of this entire state, not just the absence of conflict. Finally, the verse functions as a **Summary Statement**, encapsulating the consequences of the spiritual adultery and unfaithfulness detailed throughout Isaiah 57.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 57:21 profoundly articulates a foundational biblical truth: true peace is intrinsically linked to a right relationship with God. It underscores that *shalom*, in its fullest sense of wholeness and well-being, cannot be found apart from the divine source of all good. The wicked, by definition, are those whose lives are characterized by rebellion against God's will, and their inner turmoil and external instability are the natural, inevitable consequences of this estrangement. This verse serves as a sober reminder that human efforts to achieve lasting security, happiness, or contentment outside of God's design are ultimately futile, as genuine peace is a spiritual condition rooted in reconciliation and obedience to the Creator.

* [Proverbs 28:1](/proverbs/28-1 "Proverbs 28:1 - The Wicked Flee When No One Pursues")
* [Romans 3:17](/romans/3-17 "Romans 3:17 - The Way of Peace They Have Not Known")
* [Psalm 37:37](/psalms/37-37 "Psalm 37:37 - Observe the Blameless and Behold the Upright")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 57:21 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting us to honestly examine the source of our own peace. It challenges the common human tendency to seek security, happiness, and contentment in external circumstances, material possessions, or fleeting pleasures. The verse powerfully asserts that true *shalom* is not merely the absence of trouble, but a profound internal state of wholeness, harmony, and right relationship, fundamentally rooted in our connection with God. If our lives are marked by anxiety, restlessness, or an unfulfilled longing, this verse prompts us to consider whether we are, in some way, living "wickedly"—that is, out of alignment with God's will and character. It calls us to repentance, to turn from any path of self-reliance or rebellion, and to embrace the peace that only God can provide through reconciliation and submission to His ways. This peace is not dependent on worldly circumstances but is a gift of His Spirit to those who trust and obey Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "peace" truly mean to me, and where do I typically seek it in my life?**
* **In what ways might my actions or attitudes be considered "wicked" in a biblical sense, leading to a lack of true *shalom*?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of security and well-being?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper, God-given peace in my life, aligning myself more fully with His will?**

### FAQ
**What does "wicked" mean in the context of Isaiah 57:21?**

Answer: In this context, "wicked" (Hebrew: *râshâʻ*) refers to those who are morally wrong, ungodly, and live in active rebellion against God's commands and character. It's not just about committing isolated bad deeds, but about a fundamental orientation of the heart and life that is estranged from God. This includes idolatry, injustice, spiritual unfaithfulness, and a general disregard for divine truth and righteousness, as detailed throughout [Isaiah 57](/isaiah/57 "Isaiah 57 - Idolatry and Spiritual Adultery").

**What kind of "peace" is being denied to the wicked?**

Answer: The "peace" (Hebrew: *shâlôwm*) denied here is much more than simply the absence of conflict or war. It encompasses a holistic sense of well-being, completeness, prosperity, health, safety, and harmony. It implies a right relationship with God, oneself, and others. For the wicked, this means a perpetual state of inner turmoil, spiritual brokenness, and a life devoid of true security, rest, or lasting contentment, regardless of their external circumstances. This contrasts sharply with the "perfect peace" promised to those whose minds are steadfastly fixed on God, as described in [Isaiah 26:3](/isaiah/26-3 "Isaiah 26:3 - Perfect Peace for the Steadfast").

**Does this verse mean the wicked can never experience any form of happiness or success?**

Answer: While the wicked may experience temporary happiness, worldly success, or periods of calm, this verse asserts that they will never know true, lasting *shalom*—the deep, holistic peace that comes from a right relationship with God. Their accomplishments or pleasures are ultimately superficial and cannot quell the inner turmoil, guilt, or spiritual emptiness that results from living in rebellion against their Creator. The Bible often contrasts the fleeting prosperity of the wicked with the enduring peace of the righteous, as seen in [Psalm 73](/psalms/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 57:21's declaration that "There is no peace... to the wicked" finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who is uniquely described as the "Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prince of Peace")). The Old Testament consistently portrays humanity as "wicked" in its fallen state, alienated from God and therefore inherently lacking true *shalom* ([Romans 3:10-18](/romans/3-10 "Romans 3:10-18 - No One is Righteous")). Jesus, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, became the means by which humanity's wickedness could be dealt with, thereby establishing peace. He "made peace by the blood of his cross" ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Peace Through the Blood of His Cross")), reconciling sinners to God. For those who are "wicked" (unrighteous) by nature, true peace is impossible until their sin is addressed. Christ's death and resurrection conquered sin, offering forgiveness and a new covenant relationship where believers can now experience the "peace of God, which surpasses all understanding" ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")). He Himself is our peace, breaking down the dividing wall of hostility ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - He Is Our Peace")). Thus, the lack of peace for the wicked in Isaiah 57:21 serves as a stark backdrop, highlighting the glorious and indispensable peace that only Christ provides to those who turn from their wickedness and trust in Him.

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

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: