Isaiah Chapter 59 · Verse 8
The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
Original Language Analysis
דֶּ֤רֶךְ
The way
H1870
דֶּ֤רֶךְ
The way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
1 of 16
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
שָׁלֽוֹם׃
of peace
H7965
שָׁלֽוֹם׃
of peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
2 of 16
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדַ֖ע
therein shall not know
H3045
יָדַ֖ע
therein shall not know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
4 of 16
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וְאֵ֥ין
H369
מִשְׁפָּ֖ט
not and there is no judgment
H4941
מִשְׁפָּ֖ט
not and there is no judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
6 of 16
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
בְּמַעְגְּלוֹתָ֑ם
in their goings
H4570
בְּמַעְגְּלוֹתָ֑ם
in their goings
Strong's:
H4570
Word #:
7 of 16
a track (literally or figuratively); also a rampart (as circular)
עִקְּשׁ֣וּ
they have made them crooked
H6140
עִקְּשׁ֣וּ
they have made them crooked
Strong's:
H6140
Word #:
9 of 16
to knot or distort; figuratively, to pervert (act or declare perverse)
כֹּ֚ל
H3605
כֹּ֚ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דֹּרֵ֣ךְ
whosoever goeth
H1869
דֹּרֵ֣ךְ
whosoever goeth
Strong's:
H1869
Word #:
12 of 16
to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Romans 3:17And the way of peace have they not known:Luke 1:79To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.Isaiah 5:7For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.Jeremiah 5:1Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.Matthew 23:23Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Historical Context
This echoes Romans 3:17 exactly. The absence of peace follows the presence of violence as surely as effect follows cause. The crooked paths contrast with the 'straight' way God prepares.
Questions for Reflection
- How does violence preclude peace in personal relationships and society?
- What crooked paths need straightening in your journey toward peace?
Analysis & Commentary
'The way of peace they know not' - peace (shalom) is unknown territory for those rushing to violence. 'There is no judgment in their goings' - justice is absent from their paths. Their 'crooked paths' mean 'whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.' Sin's path leads away from shalom.