Isaiah 59:21

KJV

As for me, this [is] my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that [is] upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

KJV (with Strong's)

As for me, this is my covenant {H1285} with them, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; My spirit {H7307} that is upon thee, and my words {H1697} which I have put {H7760} in thy mouth {H6310}, shall not depart {H4185} out of thy mouth {H6310}, nor out of the mouth {H6310} of thy seed {H2233}, nor out of the mouth {H6310} of thy seed's {H2233} seed {H2233}, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, from henceforth and for {H5704} ever {H5769}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"And as for me," says ADONAI, "this is my covenant with them: my Spirit, who rests on you, and my words which I put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth or from the mouth of your children, or from the mouth of your children's children, now or ever," says ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

“As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit will not depart from you, and My words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth or from the mouths of your children and grandchildren, from now on and forevermore,” says the LORD.

American Standard Version

And as for me, this is my covenant with them, saith Jehovah: my Spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith Jehovah, from henceforth and for ever.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 59:21 stands as a profound declaration of God's unwavering faithfulness and His perpetual covenant with His people, even in the wake of their deep-seated sin and estrangement. This verse pivots from the preceding indictment of Israel's transgressions to a glorious promise of divine restoration and empowerment. It assures the enduring presence of God's Spirit and His authoritative word among His chosen, extending across generations into an everlasting future, highlighting God's initiative in securing an unbreakable spiritual legacy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Chapter 59 of Isaiah presents a stark and vivid portrayal of Israel's spiritual decline and moral corruption. The prophet meticulously details their widespread injustice, violence, and deceit, which have created an impassable chasm between them and their holy God, as explicitly stated in [Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Sin Separates from God"). The people acknowledge their sinfulness and the absence of any human intercessor capable of bringing salvation. In response to this spiritual vacuum, God Himself intervenes with divine power and righteousness, as depicted in [Isaiah 59:16](/isaiah/59-16 "Isaiah 59:16 - God's Intervention"). This divine intervention is not merely punitive but redemptive, leading to the establishment of a new covenant. Verse 21, therefore, does not emerge in isolation but as the climactic assurance of this new, everlasting covenant, a divine solution to the human predicament, securing the continuous presence of God's Spirit and His truth among His people and their descendants, thereby bridging the chasm of sin and restoring relationship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah prophesied during a period of significant political and spiritual turmoil for Judah, spanning the reigns of several kings, from Uzziah to Hezekiah. The nation often vacillated between periods of revival and profound apostasy, adopting the idolatrous practices and social injustices of surrounding cultures. The covenant relationship with Yahweh, established at Sinai, was frequently violated, leading to divine judgment and exile. In this context, a promise of an "everlasting covenant" would have resonated deeply, offering hope beyond the current cycles of sin and punishment. It points to a future where God's faithfulness would transcend human unfaithfulness, establishing a new order not dependent on Israel's obedience but on God's sovereign grace, foreshadowing a more perfect and enduring arrangement than the Old Covenant, one that would overcome the failures of the past and secure a lasting spiritual inheritance.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. Central is the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness**, emphasizing God's unchangeable commitment to His promises despite human failure, a stark contrast to Israel's repeated breaches of the Mosaic Covenant. It introduces the concept of **Divine Empowerment**, where God's Spirit is directly involved in enabling His people to bear His truth, a theme that anticipates the outpouring of the Spirit in the New Covenant era, as seen in [Joel 2:28-29](/joel/2-28 "Joel 2:28-29 - The Outpouring of the Spirit"). The **Preservation of God's Word** is also paramount, ensuring that His revealed truth will not vanish but will be faithfully transmitted through successive generations, highlighting its eternal validity and power. Finally, the promise of a **Generational Legacy** through "seed" (descendants) is a recurring motif in biblical theology, underscoring the continuity of God's redemptive plan and foreshadowing the ultimate "seed" through whom all nations would be blessed, as highlighted in [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed of Abraham is Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_):** From H1285, this term refers to a compact or solemn, binding agreement, often initiated by a superior party, and frequently sealed by the cutting of pieces of flesh, symbolizing the dire consequences of breaking the agreement. In this context, it signifies God's self-initiated, unchangeable, and enduring commitment to His people, establishing a relationship defined by His promises rather than their performance.
* **spirit (Hebrew, _rûwach'_):** From H7307, _ruach_ denotes wind, breath, or spirit. Here, it specifically refers to the divine animating presence and power of God, the Holy Spirit. Its being "upon thee" indicates divine anointing, empowerment, and indwelling, enabling the recipient to fulfill God's purposes, particularly in speaking His truth.
* **words (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, _dabar_ is a comprehensive term encompassing a word, matter, thing, or affair. In this verse, it refers to God's divine utterances, His revealed truth, commands, and promises. The emphasis is on the authoritative, living, and effective nature of God's communication, which He "put in thy mouth," signifying divine inspiration and commissioning for proclamation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As for me, this [is] my covenant with them, saith the LORD":** This opening clause emphasizes God's sovereign initiative and personal commitment to this new arrangement. "As for me" highlights His distinct action, separate from human capability or merit, underscoring that this covenant is a divine gift, not a human achievement. The declaration of "my covenant" underscores its divine origin and unchangeable nature, a solemn oath from the eternal God (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_), setting it apart from previous covenants that Israel had broken.
* **"My spirit that [is] upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth":** This segment specifies the two core elements of the covenant's perpetuity: the divine Spirit and the divine words. The Spirit's presence signifies divine anointing, empowerment, and guidance, enabling the recipient to perceive and articulate God's truth. The words "put in thy mouth" denote inspired proclamation, indicating that God's message is not merely received but actively transmitted. The promise that they "shall not depart" (H4185, _mûwsh_, meaning to withdraw or cease) guarantees their continuous presence and active influence, ensuring an unbroken chain of divine communication.
* **"nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever":** This final clause extends the covenant's reach through successive generations, emphasizing its enduring nature. "Thy seed" (H2233, _zeraʻ_) refers to immediate descendants, and "thy seed's seed" to their offspring, ensuring an unbroken lineage of those who bear God's Spirit and speak His truth. The concluding "saith the LORD" reaffirms the divine authority behind this promise. The emphatic "from henceforth and for ever" (H5704, _ʻad_ and H5769, _ʻôwlâm_) declares the eternal, perpetual nature of this covenant, signifying its timeless and enduring validity, extending beyond any historical or temporal limitations.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 59:21 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message of divine faithfulness. The most prominent is **Repetition**, particularly the phrase "out of thy mouth" and its extension to "out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed." This repetition powerfully emphasizes the continuous, generational transmission of God's Spirit and His word, creating a rhythmic and memorable assertion of permanence. **Personification** is subtly present as the "Spirit" and "words" are described as "not departing," imbuing them with an active presence and agency that endures through time, almost as living entities that remain steadfast. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Covenant Formula**, beginning with the declarative "As for me, this is my covenant" and concluding with the divine affirmation "saith the LORD." This framing elevates the entire declaration from a mere statement to a solemn, binding, and divinely guaranteed agreement, underscoring its unchangeable and eternal nature. The use of **Metonymy** is also evident, where "mouth" represents not just the physical organ but the act of speaking, proclaiming, and bearing witness to God's truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 59:21 is a pivotal prophetic utterance that bridges the Old Covenant's limitations with the New Covenant's boundless grace. It reveals God's ultimate solution to humanity's sin problem: not through human effort or merit, but through His own Spirit and Word. This covenant is not conditional on human obedience in the same way the Mosaic Covenant was, but is an unconditional, sovereign promise of God to maintain a people through whom His truth will perpetually flow. It highlights God's unyielding commitment to His redemptive plan, ensuring that His light will never be extinguished from the earth, but will be carried forward by a Spirit-empowered and Word-bearing community across all generations, demonstrating His enduring faithfulness despite human failings.

* [Jeremiah 31:33-34](/jeremiah/31-33-34 "The New Covenant") - This passage describes the New Covenant where God's law is written on hearts, and all will know the Lord, echoing the internal work of the Spirit and the intimate knowledge of God's word promised in Isaiah.
* [Ezekiel 36:27](/ezekiel/36-27 "God's Spirit Within") - Here, God promises to put His Spirit within His people, causing them to walk in His statutes, aligning with the empowerment aspect of Isaiah 59:21 and the Spirit's role in enabling obedience.
* [John 14:26](/john/14-26 "The Spirit Teaches All Things") - Jesus promises the Holy Spirit, the Helper, who will teach believers all things and bring to remembrance all that He has said, directly fulfilling the promise of the Spirit and the enduring Word's presence among God's people.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 59:21 offers profound comfort and a powerful call to faithfulness for believers today. It assures us that God's covenant promises are eternally secure, not contingent upon our fluctuating obedience but on His unchanging character and sovereign will. This means that even in times of spiritual decline or personal failure, God's commitment to His people remains steadfast, providing a firm foundation for our hope. We are reminded that the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit promised in this ancient text, is given to believers today, empowering us to understand, embrace, and articulate God's truth with clarity and conviction. This divine indwelling enables us to live lives that honor Him and to boldly proclaim His word in a world desperately in need of His light and truth. Furthermore, the verse underscores our profound responsibility to be faithful stewards of this spiritual inheritance, diligently passing on the truth of God's Spirit and His word to the next generation. Our lives, our families, and our communities are called to be conduits through which the eternal message of God continues to flow, ensuring that the legacy of faith endures "from henceforth and for ever."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the promise of God's Spirit and Word enduring "from henceforth and for ever" encourage you in times of personal or communal spiritual struggle?**
* **In what practical ways can you ensure that God's "words which I have put in thy mouth" do not depart from your own life and from the lives of your "seed" (your spiritual and biological descendants)?**
* **Considering the generational aspect of this covenant, what intentional steps can you take to foster a vibrant spiritual legacy for future generations in your family, church, or community?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the phrase "My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth"?**

Answer: This phrase is profoundly significant as it identifies the two primary mechanisms through which God's covenant with His people will be maintained and perpetuated: the indwelling and empowering presence of His Holy Spirit, and the divine revelation of His words. The Spirit's presence (H7307, _rûwach_) signifies divine anointing for ministry and the internal transformation necessary for obedience and understanding. It points to God's active involvement in enabling His people to fulfill His purposes. The "words" (H1697, _dâbâr_) represent God's authoritative truth, directly communicated and entrusted to His people for proclamation. This dual gift ensures that God's people will not only know His will but also have the divine ability to speak and live it out, establishing a continuous line of prophetic witness and spiritual vitality. This promise foreshadows the New Covenant reality where the Spirit empowers believers to understand and share the gospel of Christ, as seen in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power of the Holy Spirit").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 59:21 finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the New Covenant established through Him. While initially spoken to Israel, the "thee" and "thy seed" ultimately point to the Messiah and the spiritual lineage of believers in Him. Jesus, the perfect Prophet, Priest, and King, is the embodiment of God's Spirit "without measure" ([John 3:34](/john/3-34 "John 3:34 - Spirit Without Measure")), and He is the living Word of God made flesh ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")). The covenant of Isaiah 59:21 is therefore perfectly realized in Him, as He is the one in whose mouth God's words were perfectly placed and from whom they never departed, for He always spoke what the Father commanded ([John 12:49-50](/john/12-49-50 "John 12:49-50 - Jesus Speaks the Father's Words")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ inaugurated the New Covenant, making it possible for the Holy Spirit to be poured out upon all believers, fulfilling the promise that God's Spirit would be "upon" His people ([Acts 2:17](/acts/2-17 "Acts 2:17 - The Spirit Poured Out")). Consequently, the "seed" referenced in Isaiah 59:21 expands to include all who are "in Christ" by faith, becoming spiritual descendants who carry God's Spirit and His truth. The church, as the body of Christ, is now entrusted with the enduring Spirit and the eternal Word, ensuring that God's message of salvation through Christ will not depart from the mouths of His people "from henceforth and for ever" until His glorious return ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")).

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 31:31

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Jeremiah 31:34

And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Hebrews 10:16

This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

Ezekiel 36:25

¶ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

Ezekiel 36:27

And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them].

Jeremiah 32:38

And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:

Jeremiah 32:41

Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.