Isaiah 54:14
In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.
Original Language Analysis
בִּצְדָקָ֖ה
In righteousness
H6666
בִּצְדָקָ֖ה
In righteousness
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
1 of 12
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
תִּכּוֹנָ֑נִי
shalt thou be established
H3559
תִּכּוֹנָ֑נִי
shalt thou be established
Strong's:
H3559
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
רַחֲקִ֤י
thou shalt be far
H7368
רַחֲקִ֤י
thou shalt be far
Strong's:
H7368
Word #:
3 of 12
to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
מֵעֹ֙שֶׁק֙
from oppression
H6233
מֵעֹ֙שֶׁק֙
from oppression
Strong's:
H6233
Word #:
4 of 12
injury, fraud, (subjectively) distress, (concretely) unjust gain
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִירָ֔אִי
for thou shalt not fear
H3372
תִירָ֔אִי
for thou shalt not fear
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
7 of 12
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
וּמִ֨מְּחִתָּ֔ה
and from terror
H4288
וּמִ֨מְּחִתָּ֔ה
and from terror
Strong's:
H4288
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, a dissolution; concretely, a ruin, or (abstractly) consternation
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Jeremiah 30:10Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.Zechariah 9:8And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes.Isaiah 9:4For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.Zechariah 8:3Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.Isaiah 1:26And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.2 Peter 3:13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.Isaiah 60:21Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.Isaiah 2:4And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.Isaiah 45:24Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.Isaiah 51:13And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?
Historical Context
Israel's history involved repeated oppression: Egypt, Canaanites, Philistines, Assyria, Babylon. The exile represented ultimate terror—loss of land, temple, identity. Isaiah promises future security rooted in righteousness, initially fulfilled in post-exilic period when Persia protected returning Jews, allowing temple and wall reconstruction.
Yet ultimate fulfillment awaits Messiah's kingdom. Church history shows believers facing persecution, yet experiencing inner peace and courage (martyrs singing in arenas, Reformers steadfast before inquisitions). The promise isn't freedom from all suffering but establishment in righteousness that no oppression can overthrow. The New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:27) admits only those established in righteousness, where oppression and terror are permanently banished.
Questions for Reflection
- How does being established in Christ's righteousness (not your own) affect your daily confidence?
- What oppression or terror do you fear that this promise addresses?
- How can you better appropriate this promised freedom from fear in practical situations?
Analysis & Commentary
In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. This verse promises secure establishment based on righteousness (tsedaqah, צְדָקָה). "Established" (tikonani, תִּכּוֹנָנִי) suggests firm foundation, stability, permanence. The righteousness that establishes is not Israel's moral achievement but God's saving righteousness (Isaiah 45:24-25, 51:5-6), the same term used for justification.
Four related promises follow:
These move from external threats (oppression, terror) to internal response (no fear), demonstrating how security affects both circumstances and psychology.
From a Reformed perspective, this describes justification's effects. Established in Christ's righteousness, believers stand secure (Romans 5:1-2). Oppression and terror cannot ultimately harm those hidden in Christ (Romans 8:31-39). The promise doesn't eliminate all trials but guarantees that nothing can separate from God's love or derail His purposes. This verse grounds Christian courage in imputed righteousness—we stand firm not through inherent goodness but through Christ's perfect righteousness credited to us.