King James Version

What Does Isaiah 57:15 Mean?

Isaiah 57:15 in the King James Version says “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, ...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 57 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

Isaiah 57:15 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

13

When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;

14

And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.

15

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

16

For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.

17

For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. frowardly: Heb. turning away

Read Isaiah 57 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. This verse presents one of Scripture's most profound paradoxes: the transcendent God chooses intimate fellowship with the broken. The Hebrew ram venissa (רָם וְנִשָּׂא, "high and lofty") emphasizes God's absolute elevation above creation, while "inhabiteth eternity" (shoken ad, שֹׁכֵן עַד) literally means "dwelling in perpetuity"—existing outside temporal limitations.

"Whose name is Holy" (qadosh shemo, קָדוֹשׁ שְׁמוֹ) declares God's essential otherness and moral perfection. Yet this incomprehensible deity condescends to dwell with "the contrite" (daka, דַּכָּא—crushed, broken) and "humble" (shefal-ruach, שְׁפַל־רוּחַ—low in spirit). The verb "dwell" (eshkon, אֶשְׁכּוֹן) is the same used for God's eternal habitation, indicating equally authentic presence.

"To revive" (lehachayot, לְהַחֲיוֹת) means to bring to life, restore vitality. God's purpose in dwelling with the broken is restorative, not condemnatory. This verse refutes both human pride (God is infinitely above us) and despair (He intimately near the humble). It establishes the theological foundation for incarnation—the High and Holy One tabernacling among humanity in Christ (John 1:14).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah prophesied during tumultuous times (740-681 BC) spanning reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Israel had divided into northern (Israel) and southern (Judah) kingdoms. The northern kingdom fell to Assyria in 722 BC during Isaiah's ministry. Judah faced constant threat from surrounding nations and internal corruption.

Isaiah 57 forms part of the book's latter section (chapters 40-66), often called "Comfort" or "Deutero-Isaiah" by critical scholars, though traditional scholarship maintains unified authorship. These chapters address both immediate exile concerns and distant messianic hope. The contrast between God's transcendence and immanence would profoundly comfort exiled or threatened Israelites, assuring them that the Creator who seems distant actually draws near to the humble and contrite.

Ancient Near Eastern religions typically portrayed gods as capricious, demanding appeasement through elaborate rituals. Isaiah's revelation that Yahweh seeks the broken-hearted, not the externally religious, was revolutionary. This theme continues through prophets (Micah 6:6-8, Hosea 6:6) and culminates in Jesus' ministry to sinners and outcasts. The New Testament explicitly connects this passage to Christian humility (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5-6).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's transcendence (high and holy) combined with His immanence (dwelling with the humble) shape our worship?
  2. What constitutes true contrition and humility versus false or performative humility?
  3. Why does God specifically choose to dwell with the broken rather than the confident or successful?
  4. How does this passage inform our understanding of God's grace in the gospel?
  5. In what ways does modern culture resist the humility that invites God's presence?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
כִּי֩1 of 22
H3588

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

כֹ֨ה2 of 22
H3541

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

אָמַ֜ר3 of 22

“For thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

רָ֣ם4 of 22

“the high”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

וְנִשָּׂ֗א5 of 22

“and lofty One”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶשְׁכּ֑וֹן6 of 22

“I dwell”

H7931

to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)

עַד֙7 of 22

“eternity”

H5703

properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e., (by implication) duration, in the sense of advance or perpetuity (substantially as a noun, either with or wit

וְקָד֖וֹשׁ8 of 22

“and holy”

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

שְׁמ֔וֹ9 of 22

“whose name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

מָר֥וֹם10 of 22

“in the high”

H4791

altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)

וְקָד֖וֹשׁ11 of 22

“and holy”

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

אֶשְׁכּ֑וֹן12 of 22

“I dwell”

H7931

to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)

וְאֶת13 of 22
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

דַּכָּא֙14 of 22

“place with him also that is of a contrite”

H1793

crushed (literally powder, or figuratively, contrite)

שְׁפָלִ֔ים15 of 22

“and humble”

H8217

depressed, literally or figuratively

ר֣וּחַ16 of 22

“spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

וּֽלְהַחֲי֖וֹת17 of 22

“and to revive”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

ר֣וּחַ18 of 22

“spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

שְׁפָלִ֔ים19 of 22

“and humble”

H8217

depressed, literally or figuratively

וּֽלְהַחֲי֖וֹת20 of 22

“and to revive”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

לֵ֥ב21 of 22

“the heart”

H3820

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

נִדְכָּאִֽים׃22 of 22

“of the contrite ones”

H1792

to crumble; transitively, to bruise (literally or figuratively)

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 57:15 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 57:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 34:18Isaiah 66:1-2Psalms 138:6Psalms 147:3Exodus 15:11Daniel 4:34

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