King James Version

What Does Isaiah 57:1 Mean?

Isaiah 57:1 in the King James Version says “The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the right... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 57 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. merciful: Heb. men of kindness, or, godliness from: or, from that which is evil

Isaiah 57:1 · KJV


Context

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. merciful: Heb. men of kindness, or, godliness from: or, from that which is evil

2

He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. enter into: or, go in in his: or, before him

3

But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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 Questions

  1. How does understanding that death can be God's mercy (removing righteous from coming evil) change your view of mortality?
  2. What does the world's indifference to righteous people perishing reveal about spiritual blindness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
הַצַּדִּֽיק׃1 of 17

The righteous

H6662

just

אָבָ֔ד2 of 17

perisheth

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

וְאֵ֥ין3 of 17
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

וְאַנְשֵׁי4 of 17

and no man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

שָׂ֣ם5 of 17

layeth

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

עַל6 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לֵ֑ב7 of 17

it to heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

וְאַנְשֵׁי8 of 17

and no man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

חֶ֤סֶד9 of 17

and merciful

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

נֶאֱסַ֥ף10 of 17

are taken away

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

בְּאֵ֣ין11 of 17
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מֵבִ֔ין12 of 17

none considering

H995

to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand

כִּֽי13 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מִפְּנֵ֥י14 of 17

from

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הָרָעָ֖ה15 of 17

the evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

נֶאֱסַ֥ף16 of 17

are taken away

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

הַצַּדִּֽיק׃17 of 17

The righteous

H6662

just


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 57:1 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 57:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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