King James Version
Isaiah 59:9 in the King James Version says “Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for bright...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 59 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“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.”
Isaiah 59:9 · KJV
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.
We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.
KJV Study — Public Domain
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
“far”
H7368to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
“Therefore is judgment”
H4941properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“from us neither doth justice”
H6666rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
“us we wait”
H6960to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect
“for light”
H216illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
“but behold obscurity”
H2822the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
“but we walk”
H1980to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
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.
Isaiah 59:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Isaiah 59:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge