Isaiah 59:17
For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּלְבַּ֞שׁ
For he put on
H3847
וַיִּלְבַּ֞שׁ
For he put on
Strong's:
H3847
Word #:
1 of 13
properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively
צְדָקָה֙
righteousness
H6666
צְדָקָה֙
righteousness
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
2 of 13
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
יְשׁוּעָ֖ה
of salvation
H3444
יְשׁוּעָ֖ה
of salvation
Strong's:
H3444
Word #:
5 of 13
something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity
בְּרֹאשׁ֑וֹ
upon his head
H7218
בְּרֹאשׁ֑וֹ
upon his head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
6 of 13
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
וַיִּלְבַּ֞שׁ
For he put on
H3847
וַיִּלְבַּ֞שׁ
For he put on
Strong's:
H3847
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively
Cross References
Ephesians 6:17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:Ephesians 6:14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;1 Thessalonians 5:8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.Isaiah 11:5And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.Hebrews 10:30For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.Isaiah 51:9Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?John 2:17And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.Revelation 19:11And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.Isaiah 9:7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.Job 29:14I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.
Historical Context
The divine warrior tradition appears throughout the Old Testament (Exodus 15, Judges 5, Habakkuk 3). God fights for His people when they cannot fight for themselves.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God wearing this armor differ from believers wearing it (Ephesians 6)?
- What does divine 'zeal' look like in action?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God arms Himself as a warrior: 'For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.' Paul applies this armor to believers in Ephesians 6:14-17, but here God wears it. Righteousness protects, salvation guards, vengeance and zeal motivate action.