Isaiah 57:16
For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לְעוֹלָם֙
for ever
H5769
לְעוֹלָם֙
for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
3 of 14
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
אָרִ֔יב
For I will not contend
H7378
אָרִ֔יב
For I will not contend
Strong's:
H7378
Word #:
4 of 14
properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לָנֶ֖צַח
neither will I be always
H5331
לָנֶ֖צַח
neither will I be always
Strong's:
H5331
Word #:
6 of 14
properly, a goal, i.e., the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objecti
אֶקְּצ֑וֹף
wroth
H7107
אֶקְּצ֑וֹף
wroth
Strong's:
H7107
Word #:
7 of 14
to crack off, i.e., (figuratively) burst out in rage
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ר֙וּחַ֙
for the spirit
H7307
ר֙וּחַ֙
for the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
9 of 14
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
מִלְּפָנַ֣י
before
H6440
מִלְּפָנַ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
10 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יַֽעֲט֔וֹף
should fail
H5848
יַֽעֲט֔וֹף
should fail
Strong's:
H5848
Word #:
11 of 14
to shroud, i.e., clothe (whether transitive or reflexive); hence (from the idea of darkness) to languish
Cross References
Micah 7:18Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.Psalms 85:5Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?Hebrews 12:9Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?Jeremiah 10:24O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.Numbers 16:22And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?Isaiah 42:5Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:Jeremiah 38:16So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.Genesis 6:3And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
Historical Context
This promise was fulfilled in the Babylonian exile's limited duration. Unlike Assyria's destruction of the northern kingdom (which was permanent), Judah's exile lasted only 70 years, after which a remnant returned to rebuild (Jeremiah 25:11-12, 29:10). This demonstrated God's covenant faithfulness to preserve a remnant despite deserved judgment. Ultimately, this points to the new covenant where God's wrath against sin is fully satisfied in Christ, removing eternal condemnation from His people (Romans 8:1).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's self-limiting of judgment reflect His covenant mercy toward His people?
- What does Christ's bearing of God's wrath mean for believers facing divine discipline?
- How should understanding God's compassion as Creator affect our response to His correction?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse reveals God's gracious self-limitation in judgment. "For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth" assures that divine wrath, though righteous, is not eternal toward His people (Psalm 103:9, Jeremiah 3:12). The Hebrew lib (contend/strive) and qatsap (be wroth) emphasize legal dispute and intense anger. God provides the reason: "for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made." If God maintained perpetual wrath, His creatures would be utterly destroyed. The phrase "the spirit should fail" (ya'atof ruach) means the human spirit would faint or be overwhelmed. "The souls which I have made" emphasizes God's creative relationship with humanity—He is their Maker and thus has both authority to judge and compassion to relent. This reveals the Reformed understanding of God's covenant mercy: while His justice demands satisfaction for sin, His grace provides it through Christ. God's wrath against His elect is propitiated by Christ's substitutionary atonement, allowing His mercy to triumph over judgment (James 2:13).