New International VersionMy righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm.
New Living TranslationMy mercy and justice are coming soon. My salvation is on the way. My strong arm will bring justice to the nations. All distant lands will look to me and wait in hope for my powerful arm.
English Standard VersionMy righteousness draws near, my salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands hope for me, and for my arm they wait.
Berean Standard BibleMy righteousness draws near, My salvation is on the way, and My arms will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look for Me and wait in hope for My arm.
King James BibleMy righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
New King James VersionMy righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, And My arms will judge the peoples; The coastlands will wait upon Me, And on My arm they will trust.
New American Standard Bible“My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, And My arms will judge the peoples; The coastlands will wait for Me, And they will wait expectantly for My arm.
NASB 1995“My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, And My arms will judge the peoples; The coastlands will wait for Me, And for My arm they will wait expectantly.
NASB 1977“My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, And My arms will judge the peoples; The coastlands will wait for Me, And for My arm they will wait expectantly.
Legacy Standard BibleMy righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, And My arms will judge the peoples; The coastlands will hope in Me, And for My arm they will wait expectantly.
Amplified Bible“My righteousness (justice) is near, My salvation has gone forth, And My arms will judge the peoples; The islands and coastlands will wait for Me, And they will wait with hope and confident expectation for My arm.
Christian Standard BibleMy righteousness is near, my salvation appears, and my arms will bring justice to the nations. The coasts and islands will put their hope in me, and they will look to my strength.
Holman Christian Standard BibleMy righteousness is near, My salvation appears, and My arms will bring justice to the nations. The coastlands will put their hope in Me, and they will look to My strength.
American Standard VersionMy righteousness is near, my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the peoples; the isles shall wait for me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
Contemporary English VersionThose who live across the sea are eagerly waiting for me to rescue them. I am strong and ready; soon I will come to save and to rule all nations.
English Revised VersionMy righteousness is near, my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the peoples; the isles shall wait for me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationMy righteousness is near. My salvation is on the way. I will bring justice to people. The coastlands put their hope in me, and they wait eagerly for me.
Good News TranslationI will come quickly and save them; the time of my victory is near. I myself will rule over the nations. Distant lands wait for me to come; they wait with hope for me to save them.
International Standard Versionmy deliverance near; my salvation is on the way. His arm will bring justice to the nations; the coastlands will hope for him, and they will wait for his arm.
NET BibleI am ready to vindicate, I am ready to deliver, I will establish justice among the nations. The coastlands wait patiently for me; they wait in anticipation for the revelation of my power.
New Heart English BibleMy righteousness is near, my salvation is gone forth, and my arms shall judge the peoples; the islands shall wait for me, and on my arm shall they trust.
Webster's Bible TranslationMy righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and my arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on my arm shall they trust. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleMy righteousness draws near, My salvation is on the way, and My arms will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look for Me and wait in hope for My arm.
World English BibleMy righteousness is near. My salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge the peoples. The islands will wait for me, and they will trust my arm. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionMy righteousness [is] near, "" My salvation has gone out, "" And My arms judge peoples, "" Islands wait on Me, "" Indeed, on My arm they wait with hope.
Young's Literal Translation Near is My righteousness, Gone out hath My salvation and Mine arms, Peoples they judge, on Me isles do wait, Yea, on Mine arm they do wait with hope.
Smith's Literal TranslationMy justice is near; my salvation went forth, and mine arms shall judge the peoples; the islands shall wait for me, and to mine arm shall they hope. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleMy just one is near at hand, my saviour is gone forth, and my arms shall judge the people: the islands shall look for me, and shall patiently wait for my arm.
Catholic Public Domain VersionMy just one is near. My savior has gone forth. And my arms will judge the people. The islands will hope in me, and they will patiently wait for my arm.
New American BibleI will make my victory come swiftly; my salvation shall go forth and my arm shall judge the nations; In me the coastlands shall hope, and my arm they shall await.
New Revised Standard VersionI will bring near my deliverance swiftly, my salvation has gone out and my arms will rule the peoples; the coastlands wait for me, and for my arm they hope. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleMy righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth and my arms shall judge the peoples; the islands shall wait for me and on my arm shall they trust.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedMy righteousness has come near and my salvation has gone out, and by my arms the nations will be judged. The islands shall wait for me and on my arms they shall hope OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917My favour is near, My salvation is gone forth, And Mine arms shall judge the peoples; The isles shall wait for Me, And on Mine arm shall they trust.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationMy righteousness speedily draws nigh, and my salvation shall go forth as light, and on mine arm shall the Gentiles trust: the isles shall wait for me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Salvation for Zion… 4Pay attention to Me, My people, and listen to Me, My nation; for a law will go out from Me, and My justice will become a light to the nations; I will bring it about quickly. 5My righteousnessdraws near,My salvationis on the way,and My armswill bring justiceto the nations.The islandswill lookfor Meand wait in hopeforMy arm.6Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth below; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its people will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail.…
Cross References Isaiah 42:1-4“Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations. / He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the streets. / A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice. ...
Isaiah 49:6He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”
Isaiah 60:1-3Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. / For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. / Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Isaiah 2:2-4In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. / And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. / Then He will judge between the nations and arbitrate for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor train anymore for war.
Isaiah 11:10On that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will seek Him, and His place of rest will be glorious.
Isaiah 45:22-23Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. / By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.
Isaiah 56:1This is what the LORD says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for My salvation is coming soon, and My righteousness will be revealed.
Isaiah 62:11Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the ends of the earth, “Say to Daughter Zion: See, your Savior comes! Look, His reward is with Him, and His recompense goes before Him.”
Psalm 98:2-3The LORD has proclaimed His salvation and revealed His righteousness to the nations. / He has remembered His love and faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Psalm 22:27-28All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him. / For dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations.
Jeremiah 23:5-6Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land. / In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.
Zechariah 9:9-10Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. / And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem, and the bow of war will be broken. Then He will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.
Matthew 12:18-21“Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations. / He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear His voice in the streets. / A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory. ...
Matthew 24:30-31At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. / And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
Luke 2:30-32For my eyes have seen Your salvation, / which You have prepared in the sight of all people, / a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”
Treasury of Scripture My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and my arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait on me, and on my arm shall they trust. righteousness Isaiah 46:13 I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory. Isaiah 56:1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvationis near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. Deuteronomy 30:14 But the wordis very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. my salvation Isaiah 2:2,3 And it shall come to pass in the last days,that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it… Ezekiel 47:1-5 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the housestood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the southside of the altar… Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. mine 1 Samuel 2:10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed. Psalm 50:4-6 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people… Psalm 67:4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. the isles Isaiah 42:4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. Isaiah 49:1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. Isaiah 60:9 Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. Jump to Previous ArmArmsCoastlandsDeliveranceDrawsExpectantlyFavourForthHopeIslandsIslesJudgeJusticeLightNationsPeoplesRighteousnessRuleSalvationSea-LandsShiningSpeedilyStrongSuddenlyTrustWaitWaitingWayJump to Next ArmArmsCoastlandsDeliveranceDrawsExpectantlyFavourForthHopeIslandsIslesJudgeJusticeLightNationsPeoplesRighteousnessRuleSalvationSea-LandsShiningSpeedilyStrongSuddenlyTrustWaitWaitingWayIsaiah 51 1.An exhortation after the pattern of Abraham, to trust in Christ3.By reason of his comfortable promises,4.Of his righteous salvation7.And man's mortality9.Christ by his sanctified arm defends his from the fear of man17.He bewails the afflictions of Jerusalem21.And promises deliveranceMy righteousness draws nearThis phrase indicates the imminent arrival of God's righteousness, suggesting a divine intervention in human affairs. In the context of Isaiah, righteousness often refers to God's faithfulness to His covenant and His moral perfection. The nearness of God's righteousness implies that His promises are about to be fulfilled. This can be connected to the messianic prophecies, where the coming of the Messiah is seen as the ultimate expression of God's righteousness. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is often identified as the embodiment of God's righteousness ( Romans 3:21-22). My salvation is on the way Here, salvation is portrayed as an active force approaching humanity. In the historical context, this would have been a message of hope to the Israelites, who were often in distress due to exile or oppression. Salvation in the Old Testament frequently involves deliverance from physical or political enemies, but it also has spiritual dimensions. This phrase foreshadows the New Testament understanding of salvation through Jesus Christ, who brings deliverance from sin and eternal death (Luke 2:30-32). and My arms will bring justice to the nations The "arms" of God symbolize His power and might. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the arm was a symbol of strength and authority. This phrase suggests that God's power will establish justice not just for Israel, but for all nations. This universal scope is a recurring theme in Isaiah, pointing to the inclusion of Gentiles in God's redemptive plan. The fulfillment of this prophecy is seen in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and the spread of the Gospel to all nations. The islands will look for Me The mention of "islands" indicates distant lands, emphasizing the global reach of God's salvation. In the ancient world, islands were often seen as remote and isolated, representing the farthest reaches of the known world. This phrase suggests that even those in the most distant places will seek God. It aligns with the prophetic vision of all nations turning to the Lord (Isaiah 42:4) and is echoed in the New Testament with the spread of Christianity beyond the Jewish world (Acts 1:8). and wait in hope for My arm Waiting in hope implies a confident expectation of God's intervention. This reflects a theme of trust and patience in God's timing, which is prevalent throughout the Bible. The "arm" of God, as previously noted, represents His power and ability to save. This hope is not passive but is rooted in faith in God's promises. In the New Testament, believers are encouraged to wait for the return of Christ with similar hope and expectation (Titus 2:13). Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book that bears his name. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Judah and spoke of both judgment and redemption. 2. The NationsRefers to the Gentile nations beyond Israel. In this context, it signifies the universal scope of God's justice and salvation. 3. The CoastlandsOften used in the Bible to refer to distant lands or peoples, symbolizing the far reaches of the earth that will witness God's salvation. 4. God's ArmA metaphor for God's power and might, often used in the Old Testament to describe His ability to save and deliver His people. 5. Salvation and RighteousnessCentral themes in Isaiah, representing God's deliverance and moral order, which are imminent and assured. Teaching Points Imminence of God's SalvationGod's promise of salvation is not distant but near, encouraging believers to live with expectation and hope. Universal JusticeGod's justice is not limited to Israel but extends to all nations, reminding us of the global scope of His kingdom. Hope in God's PowerThe "arm" of God symbolizes His strength and ability to fulfill His promises, encouraging trust in His power. Waiting on the LordThe coastlands waiting for God teaches us the importance of patience and hope in God's timing. Righteousness and SalvationThese are intertwined in God's plan, reminding us that true salvation involves a transformation into righteousness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Isaiah 51:5?
2.How does Isaiah 51:5 encourage trust in God's imminent salvation and justice?
3.What does "My righteousness draws near" reveal about God's character and promises?
4.How can we actively wait for God's "arm" as described in Isaiah 51:5?
5.Connect Isaiah 51:5 with New Testament teachings on salvation through Jesus Christ.
6.How should Isaiah 51:5 influence our response to current global injustices?
7.How does Isaiah 51:5 reflect God's promise of salvation to all nations?
8.What historical context influenced the message in Isaiah 51:5?
9.How does Isaiah 51:5 relate to the theme of divine justice?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 51?
11.What defines true righteousness according to the Bible?
12.Is the law based on faith or works?
13.In Isaiah 63:4, does the prophecy about 'the day of vengeance' conflict with the New Testament emphasis on grace and forgiveness?
14.What is the Bible's perspective on judgment?What Does Isaiah 51:5 Mean My righteousness draws near• God is not distant or indifferent; His righteous character is actively moving toward His people.Isaiah 46:13 echoes the same promise: “I bring My righteousness near; it is not far off, and My salvation will not delay.” • This nearness anticipates the revelation of perfect righteousness in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21;Daniel 9:24). • Because righteousness is rooted in God’s own nature, it is unchanging and certain. We can count on it as surely as the sunrise (Hosea 6:3). My salvation is on the way• Salvation is portrayed as imminent, not hypothetical.Isaiah 49:6–8 links this salvation to the Servant who becomes “a light for the nations.” • The statement foreshadows the arrival of Jesus, whom Simeon called “Your salvation” (Luke 2:30). • It offers comfort for any believer waiting between promise and fulfillment: “The LORD is good to those who wait for Him” (Lamentations 3:25). • For Israel in exile and for every repentant heart today, God’s deliverance is not a vague wish—it is already in motion (1 Peter 1:5). My arms will bring justice to the nations• “Arms” picture God’s personal power and reach (Exodus 6:6;Deuteronomy 33:27). He does not delegate ultimate justice; He accomplishes it Himself. • Justice extends beyond Israel to “the nations,” fulfilling the covenant promise that all families of the earth will be blessed (Genesis 12:3). •Psalm 98:1–3 describes the same scene: the LORD “has revealed His righteousness to the nations.” • Final, visible justice awaits Christ’s return (Revelation 19:11–15), yet His resurrection already guarantees that outcome (Acts 17:31). The islands will look for Me and wait in hope for My arm• “Islands” signifies distant peoples, the outer rims of the known world.Isaiah 42:4 says, “The islands will wait for His instruction,” underlining a global expectation. • This anticipates the Gentile mission of the gospel. Paul citesIsaiah 11:10 inRomans 15:12: “In Him the Gentiles will hope.” • Waiting “in hope” is an active trust, not passive resignation. Like sailors scanning the horizon, the nations anticipate God’s intervention (Psalm 130:5–6). • Today, every corner of the earth finds true, lasting hope by looking to the same strong arm that stretched out on the cross and broke the power of sin (John 12:32). summaryIsaiah 51:5 presents a tightly woven promise: God’s righteousness is closing in, His salvation is already en route, His mighty arms will set everything right, and even the remotest peoples are invited to wait expectantly. Each phrase points to the person and work of Christ—near, certain, powerful, and universal—calling every believer to confident hope and steady anticipation of His complete and final victory. (5) Mine arms shall judge the people.--Literally, the peoples,including Israel and the heathen. The work of judgment thus, as ever, comes first; after it the isles( i.e.,far-off countries), as representing the heathen, shall be converted, and trust the very Arm that smote them. Verse 5. - My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth. "One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and. a thousand years as one day" ( 2 Peter 3:8). Isaiah always speaks as if the Messianic kingdom was to supervene almost immediately on the return of the exiles to Palestine. It was not revealed to him that there would be an interval of from five hundred to six hundred years between the two events. By God's " righteousness" here we must understand his righteous plans for the redemption of his people through Christ, and for the punishment of those who resist his will and remain impenitent. The salvation and the judgment are the two parts of the " righteousness." The isles shall wait upon me (comp. Isaiah 41:1, 5; Isaiah 42:4, 10, 12; Isaiah 49:1; Isaiah 60:9, etc.; and the comment on Isaiah 42:4). On mine arm shall they trust. God's "arm" is his executive power - that might by which he effects his purposes. The "isles" or "countries" that have been expecting the coming of a Deliverer will have faith in his power to redeem and save them. Christianity was received with more readiness by the Gentiles than by the "peculiar people" ( Acts 11:21; Acts 13:42, 46; Acts 14:1, 2; Acts 17:4, 5; Acts 18:6, etc.).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew My righteousnessצִדְקִי֙(ṣiḏ·qî)Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 6664:The right, equity, prosperitydraws near,קָר֤וֹב(qā·rō·wḇ)Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7138:NearMy salvationיִשְׁעִ֔י(yiš·‘î)Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 3468:Deliverance, rescue, salvation, safety, welfareis on the way,יָצָ֣א(yā·ṣā)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3318:To go, bring, out, direct and proximand My armsוּזְרֹעַ֖י(ū·zə·rō·‘ay)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 2220:The arm, the foreleg, forcewill bring justiceיִשְׁפֹּ֑טוּ(yiš·pō·ṭū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 8199:To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigateto the nations.עַמִּ֣ים(‘am·mîm)Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flockThe islandsאִיִּ֣ים(’î·yîm)Noun - masculine plural Strong's 339:A habitable spot, dry land, a coast, an islandwill lookיְקַוּ֔וּ(yə·qaw·wū)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 6960:To bind together, collect, to expectfor Meאֵלַי֙(’ê·lay)Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toand wait in hopeיְיַחֵלֽוּן׃(yə·ya·ḥê·lūn)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun Strong's 3176:To wait, to be patient, hopeforוְאֶל־(wə·’el-)Conjunctive waw | Preposition Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toMy arm.זְרֹעִ֖י(zə·rō·‘î)Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 2220:The arm, the foreleg, force
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OT Prophets: Isaiah 51:5 My righteousness is near my salvation (Isa Isi Is) |