
Text -- Isaiah 59:15 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Wesley: Isa 59:15 - -- All things are amiss, neither judgment or justice, or truth, is to be found among us.
All things are amiss, neither judgment or justice, or truth, is to be found among us.

Wesley: Isa 59:15 - -- Or, as some render it, is accounted mad, is laughed at. Josephus tells us, that immediately before the destruction of Jerusalem, it was matter of scor...
Or, as some render it, is accounted mad, is laughed at. Josephus tells us, that immediately before the destruction of Jerusalem, it was matter of scorn to be religions. The translators reach the meaning of the word by prey: the wicked, like wild beasts, endeavouring to devour such as are not as bad as themselves: where wickedness rules, innocency is oppressed.
Is not to be found.

JFB: Isa 59:15 - -- He that will not fall in with the prevailing iniquity exposes himself as a prey to the wicked (Psa 10:8-9).
He that will not fall in with the prevailing iniquity exposes himself as a prey to the wicked (Psa 10:8-9).

JFB: Isa 59:15 - -- The iniquity of Israel, so desperate as to require nothing short of Jehovah's interposition to mend it, typifies the same necessity for a Divine Media...
The iniquity of Israel, so desperate as to require nothing short of Jehovah's interposition to mend it, typifies the same necessity for a Divine Mediator existing in the deep corruption of man; Israel, the model nation, was chosen to illustrate his awful fact.
Clarke -> Isa 59:15
Clarke: Isa 59:15 - -- And the Lord saw it "And Jehovah saw it"- This third line of the stanza appears manifestly to me to be imperfect by the loss of a phrase. The reader...
And the Lord saw it "And Jehovah saw it"- This third line of the stanza appears manifestly to me to be imperfect by the loss of a phrase. The reader will perhaps more perfectly conceive my idea of the matter if I endeavor to supply the supposed defect, I imagine it might have stood originally in this manner: -
| | |||
| | |
"And Jehovah saw it, and he was wroth
And it displeased him, that there was no judgment.
We have had already many examples of mistakes of omission; this, if it be such, is very ancient, being prior to all the versions. - L.
Calvin -> Isa 59:15
Calvin: Isa 59:15 - -- 15.Truth faileth Hence it clearly appears that Isaiah, in the preceding verse, did not speak of punishments; for, without interrupting the stream of ...
15.Truth faileth Hence it clearly appears that Isaiah, in the preceding verse, did not speak of punishments; for, without interrupting the stream of his discourse, he proceeds to show that the people ought not to complain of the severity of chastisements, since they have so grievously offended and provoked God. He therefore confirms what he formerly said, that “truth hath fallen, that there is no place for equity;” and he enlarges this statement the more, by adding that he who hath withdrawn from evil hath become a prey. 143 Almost all the Jewish expositors, reading the two clauses consecutively, explain them thus: — “Truth hath failed, and, by departing from evil, hath been made a prey.” Why they adopt that meaning, I do not see.
Jerome’s exposition, which I follow, is much more correct; and appropriate; and a similar mode of expression is frequently employed in the Scriptures. Job is said to have been
“an upright and perfect man, fearing
God, and departing from evil.” (Job 1:1)
Solomon also says,
“The fool is confident, but the righteous man looketh well to himself, and departeth from evil.” (Pro 14:16)
The Prophet means that all uprightness was so greatly abhorred, that the true worshippers of God, if any remained, were not permitted to be safe. As if he had said, “Whoever wishes to live among men must vie with them in wickedness,” 144 according to the common proverb, “Among wolves we must howl; but he who wishes to live innocently shall be torn in pieces, as a sheep is torn by wolves.” Finally, he describes the utmost pitch of wickedness; for he shows that “truth hath failed,” so that no good man is allowed to remain among them; because every one that abstains front acts of injustice “lays himself open to be a prey.”
And Jehovah saw This relates to the consolation of the people; for he declares that, although they have grievously offended, so that it may appear as if there were no room for pardon, still the Lord will have regard to his people, and, although he has inflicted very severe chastisements, will at length remember his covenant, so as to bring incredible relief by healing their wounds. He speaks here of a future period, and promises that one day, after calamities so numerous and diversified, the Lord will aid the people that are left; for the Jews would have lost heart, and would have been altogether discouraged, if the Lord had not brought that consolation.
Thus men commonly rush forward, and throw themselves headlong into opposite vices; for, when they are reproved, they either grow obstinate and harden themselves, or are terrified and fall into despair. We must therefore observe carefully this order which the Prophet followed. First, it was necessary to reprove the Jews, that, being affected and laid low by repentance, they might cease to find fault with God; and, secondly, a mitigation of punishments, accompanied by salvation, is promised, that they might not be discouraged, but expect assistance from the Lord, who is unwilling that his Church should perish, and punishes his people for a time, in order that he may not suffer them to be ruined and destroyed.
Yet if any one prefer to limit this dislike or displeasure of God to the “judgment,” because he had good reason for abhorring a wicked people, I have no objection; as if he had said that God saw nothing in that people but what was ground of hatred. Hence it follows, that there was no other motive that prompted him to yield assistance, than because their affairs were utterly desperate.
TSK -> Isa 59:15
TSK: Isa 59:15 - -- truth : Isa 48:1; Psa 5:9, Psa 12:1, Psa 12:2; Jer 5:1, Jer 5:2, Jer 7:28; Hos 4:1, Hos 4:2; Mic 7:2
he that : Hab 1:13, Hab 1:14; Act 9:1, Act 9:23; ...
truth : Isa 48:1; Psa 5:9, Psa 12:1, Psa 12:2; Jer 5:1, Jer 5:2, Jer 7:28; Hos 4:1, Hos 4:2; Mic 7:2
he that : Hab 1:13, Hab 1:14; Act 9:1, Act 9:23; Rom 8:36; Heb 11:36-38; 1Jo 3:11, 1Jo 3:12
maketh himself a prey : or, is accounted mad, 2Ki 9:11; Jer 29:26; Hos 9:7; Mar 3:21; Joh 8:52, Joh 10:20; Act 26:24; 2Co 5:13
displeased him : Heb. was evil in his eyes, Gen 38:10; 2Sa 11:27; 2Ch 21:7 *marg.

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> Isa 59:15
Barnes: Isa 59:15 - -- Yea, truth faileth - That is, it is not to be found, it is missing. The word used here (from עדר ‛âdar ) means "to be left, to rem...
Yea, truth faileth - That is, it is not to be found, it is missing. The word used here (from
And he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey - Margin, ‘ Is accounted mad.’ Noyes renders this, ‘ And he that departeth from evil is plundered.’ Grotius renders it, ‘ The innocent man lies open to injury from all.’ The Septuagint, ‘ They took away the mind from understanding;’ or, ‘ They substituted opinion in the place of knowledge.’ (Thompson’ s Translation.) The phrase, ‘ He that departeth from evil,’ means evidently a man who did not, and would not, fall in with the prevailing iniquitous practices, but who maintained a life of honesty and piety. It was one of the evils of the times that such a man would be harassed, plundered, ill-treated. The word rendered ‘ maketh himself a prey’ (
The passage before us had a primary reference to the prevalence of iniquity in the Jewish nation. But it is language also that will quite as appropriately describe the moral condition of the world as laying the foundation for the necessity of the divine interposition by the Messiah. Indeed, the following verses undoubtedly refer to him. No one, it is believed, can attentively read the passage, and doubt this. The mind of the prophet is fixed upon the depravity of the Jewish nation. The hands, the tongue, the eyes, the feet, the fingers, were all polluted. The whole nation was sunk in moral corruption; and this was but a partial description of what was occurring everywhere on the earth. In such a state of things in the Jewish nation, and in the whole world, the question could not but arise, whether no deliverer could be found. Was there no way of pardon; no way by which deserved and impending wrath could be diverted? From this melancholy view, therefore, the prophet turns to him who was to be the Great Deliverer, and the remainder of the chapter is occupied with a most beautiful description of the Redeemer, and of the effect of his coming. The sentiment of the whole passage is, "that the deep and extended depravity of man was the foundation of the necessity of the divine interposition in securing salvation, and that in view of the guilt of people, God provided one who was a Glorious Deliverer, and who was to come to Zion as the Redeemer."
And the Lord saw it - He saw there was no righteousness; no light; no love; no truth. All was violence and oppression: all was darkness and gloom.
And it displeased him - Margin, ‘ Was evil in his eyes.’ So Jerome, ‘ It appeared evil in his eyes.’ Septuagint,
That there was no judgment - No righteousness; no equity; and that iniquity and oppression abounded.
Poole -> Isa 59:15
Poole: Isa 59:15 - -- Truth faileth: q.d. Truth is more than fallen, which he had said in the former verse; it faileth . For being only fallen it may recover itself aga...
Truth faileth: q.d. Truth is more than fallen, which he had said in the former verse; it faileth . For being only fallen it may recover itself again, but failing notes the loss of its very vitals; as being every where neglected, in court, in city, in country, in inferior as well as superior ranks, in the streets, in the gates, in the markets, in the fairs, in all public places of commerce, the condition much like that under the beast coming out of the earth, Rev 13:11 , &c. See Psa 10:7,8 , &c. All things are amiss, neither judgment, nor justice, nor truth is to be found among us, but fraud and deceit; yet none troubled at it.
He that departeth from evil that separateth himself from evil things and persons, will not be as vile as others,
maketh himself a prey or, is accounted mad ; is laughed at that talks of justice, so some. Josephus tells us that immediately before the destruction of Jerusalem, it was matter of scorn to be religious. Though there be no solid ground for nor need of that marginal reading, yet is it a truth. The translators reach the meaning by prey ; the wicked, like wild beasts, endeavouring to devour such as are not as bad as themselves: where wickedness rules, innocency is oppressed: in bargaining, as buying and selling, they that are simple and innocent are outwitted by the crafty and fraudulent, as not willing, or rather daring, to oppose fraud with fraud, but to do all things in sincerity.
The Lord saw it i.e. took notice of it: it is spoken of God after the manner of men, as Gen 11:5 18:21 , and many other places.
It displeased him: q.d. If you would know why God is so angry with you, it is for such things as these; the Lord takes notice of it, and it is a great evil in his eye.
Gill -> Isa 59:15
Gill: Isa 59:15 - -- Yea, truth faileth,.... Or, "is deprived" f; of its life and being; it not only falls in the street, and there lies, without any to show regard unto i...
Yea, truth faileth,.... Or, "is deprived" f; of its life and being; it not only falls in the street, and there lies, without any to show regard unto it; but it fails; it seems as if it had given up the ghost and expired; so very prevalent will error be, before light and truth spring up again and be victorious, as they will:
and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey; he that does not give in to the prevailing vices of the age in which he lives, now become fashionable, but abstains from them, and departs from doctrinal as well as practical evils; from all false doctrines, and from all superstitious modes of worship; becomes a prey to others; a reproach and a laughing stock to them; they scoff at him, and deride him for his preciseness in religion; for his enthusiastic and irrational notions in doctrine; and for his stiffness in matters of worship: or, "he makes himself reckoned a madman" g; as some render it; and this is a common notion with profane men, and loose professors, to reckon such as madmen that are upright in doctrine, worship, and conversation; see Act 26:24,
and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment; he took notice of all this, and resented it, though in a professing people, that there was no judgment or discretion in matters of doctrine and worship; no order or discipline observed; no justice done in civil courts, or in the church of God; no reformation in church or state.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Isa 59:1-21
TSK Synopsis: Isa 59:1-21 - --1 The calamities of the Jews not owing to want of saving power in God, but to their own enormous sins.16 Salvation is only of God.20 The covenant of t...
MHCC -> Isa 59:9-15
MHCC: Isa 59:9-15 - --If we shut our eyes against the light of Divine truth, it is just with God to hide from our eyes the things that belong to our peace. The sins of thos...
Matthew Henry -> Isa 59:9-15
Matthew Henry: Isa 59:9-15 - -- The scope of this paragraph is the same with that of the last, to show that sin is the great mischief-maker; as it is that which keeps good things f...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Isa 59:14-18
Keil-Delitzsch: Isa 59:14-18 - --
The confession of personal sins is followed by that of the sinful state of society. "And right is forced back, and righteousness stands afar off; f...
Constable -> Isa 56:1--66:24; Isa 56:1--59:21; Isa 58:1--59:21; Isa 59:1-15; Isa 59:9-15; Isa 59:15-21
Constable: Isa 56:1--66:24 - --V. Israel's future transformation chs. 56--66
The last major section of Isaiah deals with the necessity of livin...

Constable: Isa 56:1--59:21 - --A. Recognition of human inability chs. 56-59
It is important that God's people demonstrate righteousness...

Constable: Isa 58:1--59:21 - --2. The relationship of righteousness and ritual chs. 58-59
The structure of this section is simi...

Constable: Isa 59:1-15 - --What Israel did 59:1-15a
As mentioned above, this second segment of the section dealing ...

Constable: Isa 59:9-15 - --Israel's confession 59:9-15a
Isaiah, speaking for the sinful Israelites (cf. 6:5), first acknowledged the consequences of their behavior (vv. 9-11) an...
