Isaiah 63:5
And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.
Original Language Analysis
וְאַבִּיט֙
And I looked
H5027
וְאַבִּיט֙
And I looked
Strong's:
H5027
Word #:
1 of 12
to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care
וְאֵ֣ין
H369
וְאֶשְׁתּוֹמֵ֖ם
and I wondered
H8074
וְאֶשְׁתּוֹמֵ֖ם
and I wondered
Strong's:
H8074
Word #:
4 of 12
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
וְאֵ֣ין
H369
סְמָכָֽתְנִי׃
it upheld
H5564
סְמָכָֽתְנִי׃
it upheld
Strong's:
H5564
Word #:
6 of 12
to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense)
וַתּ֤וֹשַֽׁע
brought salvation
H3467
וַתּ֤וֹשַֽׁע
brought salvation
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
זְרֹעִ֔י
therefore mine own arm
H2220
זְרֹעִ֔י
therefore mine own arm
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
9 of 12
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
וַחֲמָתִ֖י
unto me and my fury
H2534
וַחֲמָתִ֖י
unto me and my fury
Strong's:
H2534
Word #:
10 of 12
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
Cross References
Psalms 44:3For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.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.Isaiah 40:10Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.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 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.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.John 16:32Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.Hosea 1:7But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.Isaiah 63:3I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.1 Corinthians 1:24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Historical Context
The repeated theme of divine solo action emphasizes that salvation is entirely God's work. Human helpers fail; God prevails. This is the foundation of grace theology.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is it important that salvation requires no human assistance?
- How does God's self-sufficient action ground your assurance of salvation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.' This echoes 59:16 exactly - God finds no helper, acts alone. The Hebrew 'zera' (arm) represents divine power. Fury and salvation merge as God accomplishes His purposes.