King James Version

What Does Isaiah 59:21 Mean?

Isaiah 59:21 in the King James Version says “As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in ... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 59 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

Isaiah 59:21 · KJV


Context

19

So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. lift: or, put him to flight

20

And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.

21

As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God establishes an eternal covenant: 'As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.' Spirit and Word together are promised perpetually to believing generations.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This new covenant promise combines elements of Jeremiah 31 (inward law) and Joel 2 (Spirit outpouring). It guarantees that God's revelation will be preserved through His people forever.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do Spirit and Word together characterize the new covenant?
  2. What does the perpetual promise 'from henceforth and for ever' mean for the church?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וַאֲנִ֗י1 of 26
H589

i

זֹ֣את2 of 26
H2063

this (often used adverb)

בְּרִיתִ֤י3 of 26

As for me this is my covenant

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

אוֹתָם֙4 of 26
H854

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

אָמַ֣ר5 of 26

saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה6 of 26

the LORD

H3068

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

רוּחִי֙7 of 26

My spirit

H7307

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר8 of 26
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָלֶ֔יךָ9 of 26
H5921

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

וּדְבָרַ֖י10 of 26

that is upon thee and my words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲשֶׁר11 of 26
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

שַׂ֣מְתִּי12 of 26

which I have put

H7760

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

וּמִפִּ֨י13 of 26

in thy mouth

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

לֹֽא14 of 26
H3808

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

יָמ֡וּשׁוּ15 of 26

shall not depart

H4185

to withdraw (both literally and figuratively, whether intransitive or transitive)

וּמִפִּ֨י16 of 26

in thy mouth

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

וּמִפִּ֨י17 of 26

in thy mouth

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

זַרְעֲךָ֙18 of 26

of thy seed

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

וּמִפִּ֨י19 of 26

in thy mouth

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

זַרְעֲךָ֙20 of 26

of thy seed

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

זַרְעֲךָ֙21 of 26

of thy seed

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

אָמַ֣ר22 of 26

saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה23 of 26

the LORD

H3068

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

מֵעַתָּ֖ה24 of 26
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

וְעַד25 of 26

from henceforth and for

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עוֹלָֽם׃26 of 26

ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial


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 59:21 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 59:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study