Isaiah 59:18

According to [their] deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.

According to {H5921} their deeds {H1578}, accordingly he will repay {H7999}, fury {H2534} to his adversaries {H6862}, recompence {H1576} to his enemies {H341}; to the islands {H339} he will repay {H7999} recompence {H1576}.

He repays according to their deeds - fury to his foes, reprisal to his enemies; to the coastlands he will repay their due;

So He will repay according to their deeds: fury to His enemies, retribution to His foes, and recompense to the islands.

According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, wrath to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompense.

Context

Isaiah chapter 59 vividly portrays the moral and spiritual decline of Judah, detailing the pervasive sin, injustice, and spiritual blindness that had separated the people from God. The preceding verses (Isaiah 59:1-8) lament how their iniquities had created a barrier between them and their God, hindering His ability to hear or save. Despite this widespread sinfulness and the absence of anyone to intervene, God sees their plight. Verse 18 then introduces God's righteous and decisive response: He will personally intervene to bring judgment upon those who oppose Him, ensuring that actions have consequences and that justice is ultimately served.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Retribution: The core message of Isaiah 59:18 is God's unwavering commitment to justice. He will "repay" or "recompense" according to "their deeds," ensuring that wickedness does not go unpunished. This highlights God's righteous character and His active involvement in human affairs, a principle echoed throughout Scripture, as seen in Romans 2:6, "Who will render to every man according to his deeds."
  • Consequences of Sin: The verse underscores the direct link between human actions and divine response. Sinful "deeds" inevitably lead to God's "fury" and "recompense," serving as a powerful warning against rebellion and unrighteousness.
  • God's Sovereignty and Universal Reach: The mention of "to the islands he will repay recompence" signifies the global extent of God's authority and judgment. His justice is not confined to a specific land or people but extends to all nations and peoples who act as His "adversaries" and "enemies," demonstrating His universal dominion.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "repay" or "recompense" is שָׁלַם (*shalem*). While related to the word for "peace" (shalom), in this context, *shalem* signifies the completion or settlement of an account, implying a full and just retribution for wrongdoing. It's about bringing things to their deserved conclusion. The word "fury" comes from חֵמָה (*chemah*), which denotes intense heat, wrath, or indignation, emphasizing the severity of God's righteous anger against sin and injustice.

Practical Application

Isaiah 59:18 serves as a profound reminder of God's ultimate and inescapable justice. For those who strive to walk in righteousness, it offers assurance and comfort that wrongdoers will not escape divine judgment indefinitely. For those who may be tempted towards sin or rebellion against God, it stands as a stark warning: God is perfectly just, and He will indeed repay "according to their deeds." This verse encourages a life of accountability and reverence, knowing that God sees all actions and will render to each what is due. It reinforces the biblical principle that while God is merciful and long-suffering, He is also righteous and there will be a day of reckoning for all unrighteousness, a truth also found in the New Testament's description of the great white throne judgment.

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.

  • Jeremiah 17:10

    I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.

  • Isaiah 63:6

    And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.

  • Romans 2:6

    Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

  • Matthew 16:27

    For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

  • Nahum 1:2

    ¶ God [is] jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and [is] furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth [wrath] for his enemies.

  • Isaiah 63:3

    I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people [there was] none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.

  • Job 34:11

    For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to [his] ways.

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