What is the context of Isaiah 59:8?

Isaiah 59:8 is part of Isaiah chapter 59, which contains 21 verses. This verse has 6 cross-references to other scriptures, showing its connections throughout the Bible.

King James Version

What Does Isaiah 59:8 Mean?

Q: What does Isaiah 59:8 mean?

Isaiah 59:8 says: "The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know pe..." 'The way of peace they know not' - peace (shalom) is unknown territory for those rushing to violence. 'There is no judgment in their goings' - justice is absent from their paths. Their 'crooked paths' mean 'whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.' Sin's path leads away from shalom.

Isaiah 59:8 in the King James Version says “The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever g...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 59 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace. judgment: or, right”

Isaiah 59:8 · KJV

Peace

Context

Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.

Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. destruction: Heb. breaking

The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace. judgment: or, right

Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.

We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.

Read Isaiah 59 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary

'The way of peace they know not' - peace (shalom) is unknown territory for those rushing to violence. 'There is no judgment in their goings' - justice is absent from their paths. Their 'crooked paths' mean 'whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.' Sin's path leads away from shalom.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This echoes Romans 3:17 exactly. The absence of peace follows the presence of violence as surely as effect follows cause. The crooked paths contrast with the 'straight' way God prepares.

Reflection Questions

How does violence preclude peace in personal relationships and society?
What crooked paths need straightening in your journey toward peace?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words

דֶּ֤רֶךְ1 of 16

“The way”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

שָׁלֽוֹם׃2 of 16

“of peace”

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

לֹ֣א3 of 16

H3808

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

יָדַ֖ע4 of 16

“therein shall not know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

וְאֵ֥ין5 of 16

H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מִשְׁפָּ֖ט6 of 16

“not and there is no judgment”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

בְּמַעְגְּלוֹתָ֑ם7 of 16

“in their goings”

H4570

a track (literally or figuratively); also a rampart (as circular)

נְתִיבֽוֹתֵיהֶם֙8 of 16

“paths”

H5410

a (beaten) track

עִקְּשׁ֣וּ9 of 16

“they have made them crooked”

H6140

to knot or distort; figuratively, to pervert (act or declare perverse)

לָהֶ֔ם10 of 16

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

כֹּ֚ל11 of 16

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

דֹּרֵ֣ךְ12 of 16

“whosoever goeth”

H1869

to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)

בָּ֔הּ13 of 16

לֹ֥א14 of 16

H3808

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

יָדַ֖ע15 of 16

“therein shall not know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

שָׁלֽוֹם׃16 of 16

“of peace”

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

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 59:8 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 59:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 57:20-21 Romans 3:17 Luke 1:79 Psalms 58:1-2 Isaiah 5:7 Matthew 23:23

Test Your Knowledge

Isaiah 59 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter Isaiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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