Isaiah 51:22
Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:
Original Language Analysis
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 21
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וֵאלֹהַ֙יִךְ֙
and thy God
H430
וֵאלֹהַ֙יִךְ֙
and thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 21
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יָרִ֣יב
that pleadeth
H7378
יָרִ֣יב
that pleadeth
Strong's:
H7378
Word #:
6 of 21
properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
עַמּ֔וֹ
the cause of his people
H5971
עַמּ֔וֹ
the cause of his people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
7 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לָקַ֛חְתִּי
Behold I have taken out
H3947
לָקַ֛חְתִּי
Behold I have taken out
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
9 of 21
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
מִיָּדֵ֖ךְ
of thine hand
H3027
מִיָּדֵ֖ךְ
of thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
10 of 21
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כּ֣וֹס
of the cup
H3563
כּ֣וֹס
of the cup
Strong's:
H3563
Word #:
12 of 21
a cup (as a container), often figuratively, some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like cavity of its eye)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כּ֣וֹס
of the cup
H3563
כּ֣וֹס
of the cup
Strong's:
H3563
Word #:
16 of 21
a cup (as a container), often figuratively, some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like cavity of its eye)
חֲמָתִ֔י
of my fury
H2534
חֲמָתִ֔י
of my fury
Strong's:
H2534
Word #:
17 of 21
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תוֹסִ֥יפִי
thou shalt no more
H3254
תוֹסִ֥יפִי
thou shalt no more
Strong's:
H3254
Word #:
19 of 21
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
Cross References
Isaiah 49:25But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.Proverbs 22:23For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.Isaiah 51:17Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out.Isaiah 62:8The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:Jeremiah 50:34Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.Psalms 35:1Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.Joel 3:2I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.1 Samuel 25:39And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.Micah 7:9I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.
Historical Context
This promise would have seemed impossible during Babylonian exile. How could God promise never again to judge when Israel repeatedly violated covenant? Yet the promise rests on God's character, not Israel's performance. Historically, the return from exile initiated fulfillment—though second temple Judaism faced challenges, no judgment matched Babylonian destruction's severity.
Ultimate fulfillment comes through Christ's new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34), where sins are remembered no more (Hebrews 8:12). Church history shows that though believers face persecution, discipline, and temporal suffering, they don't experience the cup of God's fury—Christ drank it. Even Reformation martyrs facing execution testified to God's comfort, not His wrath. The cup's permanent removal distinguishes believers' suffering (sanctifying discipline) from unbelievers' judgment (punitive wrath).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's shift from judge to advocate affect your confidence in approaching Him?
- What does 'no more drink it again' teach you about God's treatment of confessed sin?
- How should this permanent removal of God's fury cup shape your assurance of salvation?
Analysis & Commentary
Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again: The threefold divine identification—"thy Lord" (adonayikh, אֲדֹנָיִךְ), "the LORD" (YHWH), "thy God" (elohayikh, אֱלֹהָיִךְ)—emphasizes covenant relationship. Particularly significant is "that pleadeth the cause" (yarib 'ammo, יָרִיב עַמּוֹ), depicting God as legal advocate or champion fighting for His people, reversing the role of prosecuting judge (vv. 17-20).
The removal of the cup signals judgment's completion. "I have taken out of thine hand" uses perfect tense, indicating accomplished fact from God's perspective—the cup is removed, finished. "Thou shalt no more drink it again" (lo tosifi lishtotah 'od, לֹא־תוֹסִפִי לִשְׁתּוֹתָהּ עוֹד) provides absolute assurance: never again. This isn't temporary reprieve but permanent removal of divine fury from God's people.
From a Reformed perspective, this finds ultimate fulfillment in Christ's atonement. He drank the cup fully (Matthew 26:39, John 18:11), exhausting God's wrath against sin. For those in Christ, the cup is permanently removed—"no more" means God's fury will never return to judge believers (Romans 8:1, John 5:24). This verse grounds eternal security in divine promise: God Himself removes the cup and swears it will never return. The doctrine of justification appears here—judgment is past, wrath is satisfied, and God now pleads His people's cause rather than prosecuting their sins.