King James Version

What Does Isaiah 51:22 Mean?

Isaiah 51:22 in the King James Version says “Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand ... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 51 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:

Isaiah 51:22 · KJV


Context

20

Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God.

21

Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine:

22

Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:

23

But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again: The threefold divine identification—"thy Lord" (adonayikh, אֲדֹנָיִךְ), "the LORD" (YHWH), "thy God" (elohayikh, אֱלֹהָיִךְ)—emphasizes covenant relationship. Particularly significant is "that pleadeth the cause" (yarib 'ammo, יָרִיב עַמּוֹ), depicting God as legal advocate or champion fighting for His people, reversing the role of prosecuting judge (vv. 17-20).

The removal of the cup signals judgment's completion. "I have taken out of thine hand" uses perfect tense, indicating accomplished fact from God's perspective—the cup is removed, finished. "Thou shalt no more drink it again" (lo tosifi lishtotah 'od, לֹא־תוֹסִפִי לִשְׁתּוֹתָהּ עוֹד) provides absolute assurance: never again. This isn't temporary reprieve but permanent removal of divine fury from God's people.

From a Reformed perspective, this finds ultimate fulfillment in Christ's atonement. He drank the cup fully (Matthew 26:39, John 18:11), exhausting God's wrath against sin. For those in Christ, the cup is permanently removed—"no more" means God's fury will never return to judge believers (Romans 8:1, John 5:24). This verse grounds eternal security in divine promise: God Himself removes the cup and swears it will never return. The doctrine of justification appears here—judgment is past, wrath is satisfied, and God now pleads His people's cause rather than prosecuting their sins.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This promise would have seemed impossible during Babylonian exile. How could God promise never again to judge when Israel repeatedly violated covenant? Yet the promise rests on God's character, not Israel's performance. Historically, the return from exile initiated fulfillment—though second temple Judaism faced challenges, no judgment matched Babylonian destruction's severity.

Ultimate fulfillment comes through Christ's new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34), where sins are remembered no more (Hebrews 8:12). Church history shows that though believers face persecution, discipline, and temporal suffering, they don't experience the cup of God's fury—Christ drank it. Even Reformation martyrs facing execution testified to God's comfort, not His wrath. The cup's permanent removal distinguishes believers' suffering (sanctifying discipline) from unbelievers' judgment (punitive wrath).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's shift from judge to advocate affect your confidence in approaching Him?
  2. What does 'no more drink it again' teach you about God's treatment of confessed sin?
  3. How should this permanent removal of God's fury cup shape your assurance of salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
כֹּֽה1 of 21
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֞ר2 of 21

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנַ֣יִךְ3 of 21

thy Lord

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

יְהוָ֗ה4 of 21

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וֵאלֹהַ֙יִךְ֙5 of 21

and thy God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יָרִ֣יב6 of 21

that pleadeth

H7378

properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend

עַמּ֔וֹ7 of 21

the cause of his people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הִנֵּ֥ה8 of 21
H2009

lo!

לָקַ֛חְתִּי9 of 21

Behold I have taken out

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מִיָּדֵ֖ךְ10 of 21

of thine hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אֶת11 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כּ֣וֹס12 of 21

of the cup

H3563

a cup (as a container), often figuratively, some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like cavity of its eye)

הַתַּרְעֵלָ֑ה13 of 21

of trembling

H8653

reeling

אֶת14 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

קֻבַּ֙עַת֙15 of 21

even the dregs

H6907

a goblet (as deep like a cover)

כּ֣וֹס16 of 21

of the cup

H3563

a cup (as a container), often figuratively, some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like cavity of its eye)

חֲמָתִ֔י17 of 21

of my fury

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

לֹא18 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תוֹסִ֥יפִי19 of 21

thou shalt no more

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

לִשְׁתּוֹתָ֖הּ20 of 21

drink it again

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

עֽוֹד׃21 of 21
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 51:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 51:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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