Isaiah 59:3
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Isaiah 59:3
3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
Chapter Context
Isaiah 59 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of truth, obedience, righteousness. 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 reveals key aspects of God's character through divine actions and declarations. 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 59:3
3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
Analysis
The sin catalog begins: 'For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.' Hands (actions), lips and tongue (speech) - the whole person is implicated. The Hebrew 'ga'al' (defiled) means polluted, stained.
Historical Context
This echoes the indictment in 1:15 - 'your hands are full of blood.' Violence and dishonesty characterized Israel's society from leadership to common life.
Reflection
- How do actions and speech together reveal the heart's condition?
- What areas of 'hands' (actions) and 'lips' (words) need cleansing in your life?
Word Studies
- Iniquity: עָוֹן (Avon) H5771 - Iniquity, guilt, punishment
Cross-References
- Blood: Isaiah 1:15, Jeremiah 2:34, Ezekiel 7:23, 35:6
- Sin: Ezekiel 9:9
- Parallel theme: Isaiah 1:21, Jeremiah 2:30, 7:8, Ezekiel 13:8, Hosea 7:13