Isaiah 59:21
As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.
Original Language Analysis
בְּרִיתִ֤י
As for me this is my covenant
H1285
בְּרִיתִ֤י
As for me this is my covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
3 of 26
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
אוֹתָם֙
H854
אוֹתָם֙
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
4 of 26
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
רוּחִי֙
My spirit
H7307
רוּחִי֙
My spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
7 of 26
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָלֶ֔יךָ
H5921
עָלֶ֔יךָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וּדְבָרַ֖י
that is upon thee and my words
H1697
וּדְבָרַ֖י
that is upon thee and my words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
10 of 26
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שַׂ֣מְתִּי
which I have put
H7760
שַׂ֣מְתִּי
which I have put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
12 of 26
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
וּמִפִּ֨י
in thy mouth
H6310
וּמִפִּ֨י
in thy mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
13 of 26
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָמ֡וּשׁוּ
shall not depart
H4185
יָמ֡וּשׁוּ
shall not depart
Strong's:
H4185
Word #:
15 of 26
to withdraw (both literally and figuratively, whether intransitive or transitive)
וּמִפִּ֨י
in thy mouth
H6310
וּמִפִּ֨י
in thy mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
16 of 26
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
וּמִפִּ֨י
in thy mouth
H6310
וּמִפִּ֨י
in thy mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
17 of 26
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
זַרְעֲךָ֙
of thy seed
H2233
זַרְעֲךָ֙
of thy seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
18 of 26
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
וּמִפִּ֨י
in thy mouth
H6310
וּמִפִּ֨י
in thy mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
19 of 26
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
זַרְעֲךָ֙
of thy seed
H2233
זַרְעֲךָ֙
of thy seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
20 of 26
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
זַרְעֲךָ֙
of thy seed
H2233
זַרְעֲךָ֙
of thy seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
21 of 26
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
23 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מֵעַתָּ֖ה
H6258
Cross References
Hebrews 10:16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;Isaiah 51:16And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.Isaiah 44:3For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:John 4:14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.Isaiah 55:3Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.Romans 8:9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.John 3:34For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.John 7:39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)Isaiah 49:8Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;2 Corinthians 3:8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
Historical Context
This new covenant promise combines elements of Jeremiah 31 (inward law) and Joel 2 (Spirit outpouring). It guarantees that God's revelation will be preserved through His people forever.
Questions for Reflection
- How do Spirit and Word together characterize the new covenant?
- What does the perpetual promise 'from henceforth and for ever' mean for the church?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God establishes an eternal covenant: 'As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.' Spirit and Word together are promised perpetually to believing generations.