Isaiah 57:1
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Isaiah 57:1
1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.
Chapter Context
Isaiah 57 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of righteousness, creation, judgment. Written during the Assyrian and pre-exilic periods (c. 740-680 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Addressed Judah during Assyria's rise, Babylon's threat, and anticipated restoration.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-21: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Isaiah and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Isaiah 57:1
1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.
Analysis
The observation that 'the righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart' describes society's callous indifference to godly people's suffering. The explanation 'the righteous is taken away from the evil to come' reveals God's mercy in removing His servants before severe judgment. Death for believers is rescue, not punishment - God spares them from coming wrath. This reframes mortality as divine protection.
Historical Context
Before Babylonian invasion, godly King Josiah died in battle (2 Kings 22:20 - 'I will gather thee...that thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place'). His death was mercy, sparing him from seeing Jerusalem's destruction. Same principle explains why godly often die before catastrophic judgments.
Reflection
- How does understanding that death can be God's mercy (removing righteous from coming evil) change your view of mortality?
- What does the world's indifference to righteous people perishing reveal about spiritual blindness?
Word Studies
- Righteous: צַדִּיק (Tzaddik) H6662 - Righteous one
Cross-References
- Evil: 2 Kings 22:20, 2 Chronicles 34:28
- Parallel theme: Isaiah 42:25, 47:7, 1 Kings 14:13, 2 Chronicles 32:33, 35:24, Psalms 12:1