Isaiah 57:2
He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.
Original Language Analysis
יָב֣וֹא
He shall enter
H935
יָב֣וֹא
He shall enter
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 7
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
שָׁל֔וֹם
into peace
H7965
שָׁל֔וֹם
into peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
2 of 7
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
יָנ֖וּחוּ
they shall rest
H5117
יָנ֖וּחוּ
they shall rest
Strong's:
H5117
Word #:
3 of 7
to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מִשְׁכְּבוֹתָ֑ם
in their beds
H4904
מִשְׁכְּבוֹתָ֑ם
in their beds
Strong's:
H4904
Word #:
5 of 7
a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse
Cross References
Revelation 14:13And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.2 Corinthians 5:1For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.Luke 2:29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:Job 3:17There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.Matthew 25:21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.2 Corinthians 5:8We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.Luke 7:50And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.2 Chronicles 16:14And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him.Ecclesiastes 12:7Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.Luke 16:22And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Historical Context
Contrasted with wicked dying violently (v. 20-21), the righteous experience peaceful death as entry into God's presence. This anticipates Hebrews 4:9-11's 'rest for the people of God' and Revelation 14:13 ('Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord...they rest from their labours').
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing death as 'entering peace' rather than tragic end transform your attitude toward mortality?
- What does it mean to 'walk in uprightness' such that death becomes restful transition rather than terrifying judgment?
Analysis & Commentary
The assurance 'He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness' describes death as entering rest for the faithful. The phrase 'walking in uprightness' emphasizes that peace comes through righteousness, not compromise. This demolishes fear of death for believers - it's entrance into peace, not punishment. The 'rest in their beds' imagery depicts peaceful, dignified transition from earthly labor to heavenly rest.