Isaiah 63:15
Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?
Original Language Analysis
הַבֵּ֤ט
Look down
H5027
הַבֵּ֤ט
Look down
Strong's:
H5027
Word #:
1 of 14
to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care
מִשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙
from heaven
H8064
מִשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙
from heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
2 of 14
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וּרְאֵ֔ה
and behold
H7200
וּרְאֵ֔ה
and behold
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
3 of 14
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
קָדְשְׁךָ֖
of thy holiness
H6944
קָדְשְׁךָ֖
of thy holiness
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
5 of 14
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
וְתִפְאַרְתֶּ֑ךָ
and of thy glory
H8597
וְתִפְאַרְתֶּ֑ךָ
and of thy glory
Strong's:
H8597
Word #:
6 of 14
ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)
וּגְב֣וּרֹתֶ֔ךָ
and thy strength
H1369
וּגְב֣וּרֹתֶ֔ךָ
and thy strength
Strong's:
H1369
Word #:
9 of 14
force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory
הֲמ֥וֹן
the sounding
H1995
הֲמ֥וֹן
the sounding
Strong's:
H1995
Word #:
10 of 14
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth
מֵעֶ֛יךָ
of thy bowels
H4578
מֵעֶ֛יךָ
of thy bowels
Strong's:
H4578
Word #:
11 of 14
used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively, sympathy; by implication, a vest; by extension the stomach, the uteru
Cross References
Jeremiah 31:20Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.Deuteronomy 26:15Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.Psalms 80:14Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;Psalms 123:1Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.Hosea 11:8How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.Psalms 33:14From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.1 John 3:17But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?Philippians 2:1If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Historical Context
This bold prayer challenges divine apparent inactivity. The anatomical language (bowels, zeal) emphasizes visceral, emotional divine engagement that seems absent.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you pray when God seems to have restrained His mercies?
- What does 'the sounding of thy bowels' teach about God's compassion?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?' The prayer intensifies into direct appeal. 'Where is' introduces longing questions. God's 'bowels' (me'im - internal organs) represent deep emotional compassion. Are mercies 'restrained' (apaq - held back)?