Isaiah 51:5
My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
Original Language Analysis
צִדְקִי֙
My righteousness
H6664
צִדְקִי֙
My righteousness
Strong's:
H6664
Word #:
2 of 13
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
יָצָ֣א
is gone forth
H3318
יָצָ֣א
is gone forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
3 of 13
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
זְרֹעִ֖י
and mine arms
H2220
זְרֹעִ֖י
and mine arms
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
5 of 13
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
עַמִּ֣ים
the people
H5971
עַמִּ֣ים
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
6 of 13
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יִשְׁפֹּ֑טוּ
shall judge
H8199
יִשְׁפֹּ֑טוּ
shall judge
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
7 of 13
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
אִיִּ֣ים
the isles
H339
אִיִּ֣ים
the isles
Strong's:
H339
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island
יְקַוּ֔וּ
shall wait
H6960
יְקַוּ֔וּ
shall wait
Strong's:
H6960
Word #:
10 of 13
to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect
Cross References
Isaiah 46:13I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.Isaiah 42:4He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.Isaiah 60:9Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.2 Corinthians 5:10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.Romans 2:16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.Isaiah 49:1Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.Isaiah 56:1Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.Isaiah 63:5And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.Isaiah 40:10Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.Acts 17:31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Historical Context
This began fulfilling when gospel spread to coastal Mediterranean regions (the 'isles'), but awaits complete fulfillment when 'every knee bows' to Christ (Philippians 2:10). God's 'arm' is Christ who executes judgment and saves.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the nearness of God's righteousness create urgency in your pursuit of holiness?
- What does Gentile inclusion in salvation promises teach about the scope of Christ's redemptive work?
Analysis & Commentary
The promise 'My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth' emphasizes the imminent arrival of God's deliverance. The phrase 'mine arms shall judge the people' depicts divine strength executing justice and salvation. The prediction that 'the isles shall wait upon me' and 'on mine arm shall they trust' shows Gentiles expecting salvation from Israel's God - a radical vision in ethnic-particularist context.