Isaiah Chapter 59 · Verse 16
And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּרְא֙
And he saw
H7200
וַיַּרְא֙
And he saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 14
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִ֔ישׁ
that there was no man
H376
אִ֔ישׁ
that there was no man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
4 of 14
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וַיִּשְׁתּוֹמֵ֖ם
and wondered
H8074
וַיִּשְׁתּוֹמֵ֖ם
and wondered
Strong's:
H8074
Word #:
5 of 14
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מַפְגִּ֑יעַ
that there was no intercessor
H6293
מַפְגִּ֑יעַ
that there was no intercessor
Strong's:
H6293
Word #:
8 of 14
to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity
וַתּ֤וֹשַֽׁע
brought salvation
H3467
וַתּ֤וֹשַֽׁע
brought salvation
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
זְרֹע֔וֹ
therefore his arm
H2220
זְרֹע֔וֹ
therefore his arm
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
11 of 14
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
וְצִדְקָת֖וֹ
unto him and his righteousness
H6666
וְצִדְקָת֖וֹ
unto him and his righteousness
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
12 of 14
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
Cross References
Ezekiel 22:30And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.Isaiah 64:7And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.Psalms 98:1O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.Isaiah 41:28For I beheld, and there was no man; even among them, and there was no counsellor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word.Isaiah 52:10The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.Psalms 106:23Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.Mark 6:6And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.Isaiah 50:2Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.
Historical Context
This anticipates the Incarnation - when no human could save, God's own arm provided salvation. The Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 becomes God's answer to human inability.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that God 'wondered' at the lack of intercessors?
- How does this verse point forward to Christ as God's salvation?
Analysis & Commentary
Remarkably, God finds no human solution: 'And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor.' The Hebrew 'shamen' (wondered/was appalled) expresses divine astonishment at the absence of anyone to intervene. 'Therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.' God Himself acts because no one else will.