Isaiah 64:7

And [there is] none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.

And there is none that calleth {H7121} upon thy name {H8034}, that stirreth up {H5782} himself to take hold {H2388} of thee: for thou hast hid {H5641} thy face {H6440} from us, and hast consumed {H4127} us, because {H3027} of our iniquities {H5771}.

No one calls on your name or bestirs himself to take hold of you, for you have hidden your face from us and caused our misdeeds to destroy us.

No one calls on Your name or strives to take hold of You. For You have hidden Your face from us and delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.

And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee; for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us by means of our iniquities.

Commentary

Commentary on Isaiah 64:7 (KJV)

Isaiah 64:7 presents a poignant confession from the people of Israel, acknowledging their spiritual failing and linking it directly to God's apparent withdrawal and their subsequent suffering. It reveals a deep introspection where the nation admits its part in their current desolate state.

Context

Chapter 64 of Isaiah is a powerful prayer of lament and confession, likely spoken by a prophetic voice on behalf of the exiled Israelites or those suffering the consequences of national sin. The people are pleading with God to intervene and restore them, recalling His mighty acts in the past. However, before they can fully appeal for mercy, they recognize their own profound spiritual decay. Verse 7 specifically highlights their lack of active seeking and devotion, explaining why God's favor seems to have departed from them. It sets the stage for the desperate plea for God to return and show compassion, despite their unworthiness.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Apathy and Neglect of Prayer: The opening phrase, "none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee," points to a profound spiritual laziness and a lack of genuine, fervent prayer. It indicates a people who have ceased to earnestly seek God's presence or intervention, settling into a state of spiritual slumber. The phrase "stirreth up himself to take hold of thee" implies a lack of zeal and determination in pursuing a relationship with the Almighty.
  • God's Hidden Face: The consequence of their spiritual neglect is stated as "for thou hast hid thy face from us." In biblical terms, God hiding His face signifies His displeasure, withdrawal of favor, and a sense of abandonment or judgment. Itโ€™s a powerful idiom for the absence of divine presence and blessing, leaving the people feeling isolated and without hope.
  • Consequences of Iniquity: The verse explicitly links their suffering ("hast consumed us") to their sins ("because of our iniquities"). This underscores a fundamental biblical principle: sin has consequences. The desolation and hardships experienced by the nation are presented not as arbitrary acts of God, but as a direct result of their disobedience and moral corruption. This echoes the broader biblical teaching on the wages of sin.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "stirreth up himself to take hold of thee" is particularly evocative. The Hebrew verb for "stirreth up" (ืขื•ึผืจ, 'ur) means to awaken, arouse, or rouse oneself. It suggests an active, deliberate effort to move from a state of passivity to one of zealous pursuit. This emphasizes that seeking God is not merely a passive act but requires intentionality and spiritual energy. Similarly, "hid thy face" (ื”ึทืกึฐืชึผึตืจ ืคึธึผื ึดื™ื, haster panim) is a common Hebrew idiom denoting divine displeasure, absence, or judgment, often a result of human unfaithfulness, as seen in Psalm 27:9.

Practical Application

Isaiah 64:7 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today about the importance of an active, fervent relationship with God. It challenges us to examine our own spiritual state:

  • The Call to Earnest Prayer: Are we genuinely "calling upon His name" and "stirring ourselves up" to seek Him? This verse highlights that a passive faith can lead to a perceived distance from God. The Bible frequently encourages us to seek the Lord with all our heart.
  • Acknowledging Our Part: When we feel distant from God or experience difficulties, this verse prompts us to consider if our own "iniquities" or spiritual apathy have contributed to the situation. It encourages self-reflection and confession rather than blaming God.
  • Understanding Consequences: It reinforces the truth that sin has real consequences, both individually and corporately. Ignoring God's commands or neglecting our spiritual duties can lead to a sense of His withdrawal and a decrease in His manifest blessings.

Ultimately, this verse is a call to repentance and a renewed pursuit of God, recognizing that our relationship with Him requires active engagement and a willingness to confront our own spiritual failings.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 22:30

    And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

  • Isaiah 59:16

    ยถ And he saw that [there was] no man, and wondered that [there was] no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

  • Hosea 7:14

    And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, [and] they rebel against me.

  • Hosea 7:7

    They are all hot as an oven, and have devoured their judges; all their kings are fallen: [there is] none among them that calleth unto me.

  • Isaiah 54:8

    In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.

  • Isaiah 59:2

    But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear.

  • Isaiah 27:5

    Or let him take hold of my strength, [that] he may make peace with me; [and] he shall make peace with me.
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