Isaiah 26:12

Authorized King James Version

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LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.

Original Language Analysis

יְהוָ֕ה LORD H3068
יְהוָ֕ה LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 1 of 10
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
תִּשְׁפֹּ֥ת thou wilt ordain H8239
תִּשְׁפֹּ֥ת thou wilt ordain
Strong's: H8239
Word #: 2 of 10
to locate, i.e., (generally) hang on or (figuratively) establish, reduce
שָׁל֖וֹם peace H7965
שָׁל֖וֹם peace
Strong's: H7965
Word #: 3 of 10
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
לָ֑נוּ H0
לָ֑נוּ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 4 of 10
כִּ֛י H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 5 of 10
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
גַּ֥ם H1571
גַּ֥ם
Strong's: H1571
Word #: 6 of 10
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
כָּֽל H3605
כָּֽל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 7 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַעֲשֵׂ֖ינוּ all our works H4639
מַעֲשֵׂ֖ינוּ all our works
Strong's: H4639
Word #: 8 of 10
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
פָּעַ֥לְתָּ for us for thou also hast wrought H6466
פָּעַ֥לְתָּ for us for thou also hast wrought
Strong's: H6466
Word #: 9 of 10
to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise
לָּֽנוּ׃ H0
לָּֽנוּ׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 10 of 10

Analysis & Commentary

LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us (יְהוָה תִּשְׁפֹּת־שָׁלוֹם לָנוּ / YHWH tishpot-shalom lanu)—The verb שָׁפַת (shaphat) means "to establish, ordain, or appoint." Isaiah affirms that shalom (peace, wholeness, comprehensive well-being) is God's sovereign gift, not human achievement. This peace encompasses reconciliation with God, inner tranquility, and eschatological restoration.

For thou also hast wrought all our works in us (כִּי גַם כָּל־מַעֲשֵׂינוּ פָּעַלְתָּ לָּנוּ / ki gam kol-ma'asenu pa'alta lanu)—This declaration of monergism anticipates Paul's theology: "It is God who works in you both to will and to do" (Philippians 2:13). The verb פָּעַל (pa'al, "to work, accomplish") credits God as the ultimate source of all righteous deeds. Israel's faithfulness, like Christian sanctification, flows from divine enablement, not self-effort. This guards against both legalistic pride and antinomian passivity.

Historical Context

Isaiah 26 is part of the "Isaiah Apocalypse" (chapters 24-27), prophetic hymns anticipating God's final judgment and salvation. Written during the Assyrian threat (late 8th century BC), these chapters look beyond immediate historical crises to ultimate cosmic restoration. The emphasis on divine sovereignty over peace and human works countered Judah's temptation to secure safety through political alliances rather than trust in YHWH.

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