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◄ Isaiah 59:16►

New International Version
He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.

New Living Translation
He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So he himself stepped in to save them with his strong arm, and his justice sustained him.

English Standard Version
He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.

Berean Standard Bible
He saw that there was no man; He was amazed that there was no one to intercede. So His own arm brought salvation, and His own righteousness sustained Him.

King James Bible
And he saw thatthere was no man, and wondered thatthere was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

New King James Version
He saw thatthere was no man, And wondered thatthere was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.

New American Standard Bible
And He saw that there was no one, And was amazed that there was not one to intercede; Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him.

NASB 1995
And He saw that there was no man, And was astonished that there was no one to intercede; Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him.

NASB 1977
And He saw that there was no man, And was astonished that there was no one to intercede; Then His own arm brought salvation to Him; And His righteousness upheld Him.

Legacy Standard Bible
And He saw that there was no man, And was astonished that there was no one to intercede; Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him.

Amplified Bible
He saw that there was no man, And was amazed that there was no one to intercede [on behalf of truth and right]; Therefore His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His own righteousness sustained Him.

Christian Standard Bible
He saw that there was no man — he was amazed that there was no one interceding; so his own arm brought salvation, and his own righteousness supported him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He saw that there was no man— He was amazed that there was no one interceding; so His own arm brought salvation, and His own righteousness supported Him.

American Standard Version
And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his own arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it upheld him.

Contemporary English Version
It disgusted him even more to learn that no one would do a thing about it. So with his own powerful arm, he won victories for truth.

English Revised Version
And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his own arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it upheld him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He sees that there's no one to help. He's astounded that there's no one to intercede. So with his own power he wins a victory. His righteousness supports him.

Good News Translation
He is astonished to see that there is no one to help the oppressed. So he will use his own power to rescue them and to win the victory.

International Standard Version
He saw that there was no one, and was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm brought him victory, and his righteous acts upheld him.

NET Bible
He sees there is no advocate; he is shocked that no one intervenes. So he takes matters into his own hands; his desire for justice drives him on.

New Heart English Bible
He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his own arm brought salvation to him; and his righteousness, it upheld him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation to him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
He saw that there was no man; He was amazed that there was no one to intercede. So His own arm brought salvation, and His own righteousness sustained Him.

World English Bible
He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor. Therefore his own arm brought salvation to him; and his righteousness sustained him.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And He sees that there is no man, "" And is astonished that there is no intercessor, "" And His own arm gives salvation to Him, "" And His righteousness—it sustained Him.

Young's Literal Translation
And He seeth that there is no man, And is astonished that there is no intercessor, And His own arm giveth salvation to Him, And His righteousness -- it sustained Him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will see that not a man, and he will be astonished that none was supplicating: and his arm will save for him, and his justice it upheld him.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he saw that there is not a man: and he stood astonished, because there is none to oppose himself: and his own arm brought salvation to him, and his own justice supported him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he saw that there was no good man. And he was astonished that there was no one to meet him. And his own arm brought salvation to him, and his own justice strengthened him.

New American Bible
He saw that there was no one, was appalled that there was none to intervene; Then his own arm brought about the victory, and his justice sustained him.

New Revised Standard Version
He saw that there was no one, and was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm brought him victory, and his righteousness upheld him.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to help; therefore his arm brought salvation to him, and his righteousness sustained him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he saw there was no man, and he was amazed that there was no helper, and his arm saved him, and his righteousness sustained him

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And He saw that there was no man, And was astonished that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation unto Him; And His righteousness, it sustained Him;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he looked, and there was no man, and he observed, and there was none to help: so he defended them with his arm, and stablishedthem withhis mercy.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Sin Separates Us from God
…15Truth is missing, and whoever turns from evil becomes prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice.16He saw that there was no man;He was amazed that there was no one to intercede.So His own arm brought salvation,and His own righteousness sustained Him.17He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Isaiah 63:5
I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled that no one assisted. So My arm brought Me salvation, and My own wrath upheld Me.

Ezekiel 22:30
I searched for a man among them to repair the wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, so that I should not destroy it. But I found no one.

Psalm 98:1
A Psalm. Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done wonders; His right hand and holy arm have gained Him the victory.

Psalm 106:23
So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach to divert His wrath from destroying them.

Psalm 14:3
All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Psalm 53:2-3
God looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God. / All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Romans 3:10-12
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. / There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. / All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

Romans 5:6-8
For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. / Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. / But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 8:34
Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.

Hebrews 7:25
Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.

1 John 2:1
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. / For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Treasury of Scripture

And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation to him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

he saw

Isaiah 50:2
Wherefore, when I came,was there no man? when I called,was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, becausethere is no water, and dieth for thirst.

Isaiah 64:7
Andthere is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.

Genesis 18:23-32
And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? …

therefore

Isaiah 52:10
The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Isaiah 63:3-5
I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the peoplethere was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment…

Psalm 98:1
A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

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Appalled Arm Astonished Cause Intercede Intercessor Righteousness Salvation Support Surprised Sustained Upheld Victory Wondered Worked

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Appalled Arm Astonished Cause Intercede Intercessor Righteousness Salvation Support Surprised Sustained Upheld Victory Wondered Worked

Isaiah 59

1.Calamities are not due to lack of saving power in God, but to their own sins
16.Salvation is only of God
20.The covenant of the Redeemer

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

He saw that there was no man;
This phrase highlights God's observation of the absence of a righteous person to stand in the gap for Israel. In the context of Isaiah, the nation was steeped in sin and injustice, and there was no one righteous enough to intercede on behalf of the people. This echoes the situation inEzekiel 22:30, where God sought someone to stand in the breach but found none. The phrase underscores the pervasive sinfulness of humanity and the need for divine intervention.

He was amazed that there was no one to intercede.
God's amazement here is not due to a lack of foresight but rather emphasizes the gravity of the situation. Intercession was a critical role in Israelite society, often performed by prophets, priests, or righteous leaders. The absence of an intercessor points to the spiritual decline of the nation. This also foreshadows the ultimate intercessor, Jesus Christ, who stands between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5).

So His own arm brought salvation,
The "arm" of the Lord is a metaphor for His power and might. In the absence of a human intercessor, God Himself steps in to bring salvation. This reflects the theme of divine intervention found throughout the Old Testament, such as inExodus 6:6, where God promises to deliver Israel with an outstretched arm. It also prefigures the work of Christ, who is often seen as the embodiment of God's saving power (John 12:38).

and His own righteousness sustained Him.
God's righteousness is the foundation of His actions. Unlike human righteousness, which is flawed and inconsistent, God's righteousness is perfect and unchanging. This righteousness not only sustains Him but also ensures the fulfillment of His promises. In the New Testament, this righteousness is imputed to believers through faith in Christ (Romans 3:22), highlighting the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old to the New Testament.

Persons / Places / Events

1.God
The central figure in this verse, observing the lack of righteousness and intercession among His people.

2.The People of Israel
Implicitly referenced as those who have failed to intercede or uphold justice, leading to God's intervention.

3.The Arm of the Lord
A metaphor for God's power and intervention, often associated with deliverance and salvation.

4.Intercession
The act of intervening or mediating on behalf of others, which was lacking among the people.

5.Salvation and Righteousness
Key themes in this verse, highlighting God's initiative in bringing about redemption.

Teaching Points

The Need for Intercessors
God values intercession and looks for those who will stand in the gap for others. We are called to be intercessors in our communities and families.

God's Initiative in Salvation
When human efforts fall short, God Himself steps in to bring salvation. This underscores the grace and sovereignty of God in the redemption process.

Righteousness as a Divine Attribute
God's righteousness is not only a standard but also a sustaining force. We are called to reflect His righteousness in our lives.

The Role of Jesus as Intercessor
Jesus fulfills the role of the ultimate intercessor, bridging the gap between God and humanity. We can rely on His intercession in our spiritual journey.

Human Inadequacy and Divine Sufficiency
Our inability to achieve righteousness on our own highlights our need for God's intervention. This should lead us to humility and dependence on Him.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Isaiah 59:16?

2.How does Isaiah 59:16 highlight God's role in providing salvation for humanity?

3.What does "no one to intercede" reveal about human inability without God?

4.How does Isaiah 59:16 connect to Jesus as our intercessor in Hebrews 7:25?

5.In what ways can we rely on God's strength in our daily struggles?

6.How can we actively participate in God's work of justice and righteousness today?

7.Why did God find no one to intercede in Isaiah 59:16?

8.How does Isaiah 59:16 reflect on human inability to achieve righteousness?

9.What does Isaiah 59:16 reveal about God's role as a savior?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 59?

11.Why can't people be saved by doing good works?

12.Does God love those in hell?

13.In Isaiah 63:1–3, how can the imagery of garments stained with blood be reconciled with the prophet’s claim of divine justice without external historical evidence?

14.Why does Proverbs 6:16-19 say God hates certain behaviors if 'God is love' elsewhere (e.g., 1 John 4:8)?

What Does Isaiah 59:16 Mean

He saw that there was no man

• The Lord surveyed His covenant people and detected absolute moral bankruptcy.Isaiah 59:15 states, “Truth is missing, and whoever turns from evil becomes prey,” setting the stage for verse 16.

•Psalm 14:3 echoes the diagnosis: “All have turned away; all alike have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one”.

•Ezekiel 22:30 offers a parallel scene in which God searched “for a man … to stand before Me in the gap … but I found no one”.

• The phrase underscores universal human failure, exposing the impossibility of self-generated deliverance and highlighting our collective need for divine intervention.

He was amazed that there was no one to intercede

• The Lord’s “amazement” conveys stunned grief, not ignorance; it shows the seriousness of prayerless, leaderless inertia among His people.

•Isaiah 64:7 laments, “No one calls on Your name or strives to take hold of You”, reinforcing the theme of absent intercessors.

• The idea of a mediator finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, because “there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

•Hebrews 7:25 celebrates His ongoing priestly work: “He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them”.

So His own arm brought salvation

• When no human champion could be found, God personally stepped onto the battlefield.

•Isaiah 63:5 parallels the wording: “My own arm brought Me salvation”.

• “Arm” is a Messianic metaphor.Isaiah 53:1 asks, “To whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?”, pointing forward to Jesus’ incarnation and atoning work.

•Luke 1:51 celebrates the fulfilled promise: “He has performed mighty deeds with His arm”.

•Psalm 98:1 adds, “His right hand and holy arm have worked salvation for Him”.

• Salvation therefore rests on God’s unilateral action, culminating in the cross and resurrection.

And His own righteousness sustained Him

• The divine plan is upheld by God’s flawless character. He does not compromise holiness to save; His righteousness guarantees the success of redemption.

•Romans 3:22 explains that “this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe”.

•2 Corinthians 5:21 reveals the exchange at the heart of the gospel: “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God”.

•Isaiah 42:6 shows the Servant upheld by the Father: “I, the LORD, have called You for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of Your hand”.

• God’s own righteousness both enables and secures the entire redemptive mission.

summary

Isaiah 59:16 paints a sweeping portrait of human failure met by divine initiative. No person could be found to champion justice or pray on behalf of the people, so God Himself stepped in. His mighty “arm”—ultimately revealed in Jesus Christ—achieved salvation, and His unblemished righteousness carried the plan to completion. The verse magnifies our need, exalts God’s holiness, and celebrates the sure, personal rescue He provides for all who trust in the Messiah.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(16)He saw that there was no man . . .--If the words mean no "righteous man," we have a parallel inJeremiah 5:1, and the "intercessor" points to action like that of Aaron (Numbers 16:48) or Phinehas (Numbers 25:7). On the interpretation here adopted, "no man" is equivalent to "no champion."

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 16. -He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor;i.e. God looked for some champion of the oppressed to arise; it was to be expected under the circumstances. But, alas! "there was no man." None stood up to resist the unrighteous and protect the innocent; much less did any stand up to deliver Israel from its heathen adversaries. When it is said that God "wondered" at no champion appearing, we must understand the expression as an anthropomorphism·Therefore his arm brought salvation unto him. As them was no human champion, it became necessary that God should arise in his own Person, and show himself. "His arm" and "his righteousness" were enough; no human aid was needed, or could have added anything to the resistless strength of his might (comp.Isaiah 63:5).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

He saw
וַיַּרְא֙(way·yar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200:To see

that
כִּֽי־(kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunction

there was no
אֵ֣ין(’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369:A non-entity, a negative particle

man—
אִ֔ישׁ(’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male person

He was amazed
וַיִּשְׁתּוֹמֵ֖ם(way·yiš·tō·w·mêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8074:To stun, devastate, stupefy

that
כִּ֣י(kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunction

there was no one
אֵ֣ין(’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369:A non-entity, a negative particle

to intercede;
מַפְגִּ֑יעַ(map̄·gî·a‘)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6293:To impinge, by accident, violence, by importunity

so His own arm
זְרֹע֔וֹ(zə·rō·‘ōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2220:The arm, the foreleg, force

brought salvation,
וַתּ֤וֹשַֽׁע(wat·tō·wō·ša‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3467:To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor

and His own righteousness
וְצִדְקָת֖וֹ(wə·ṣiḏ·qā·ṯōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6666:Rightness, subjectively, objectively

sustained Him.
סְמָכָֽתְהוּ׃(sə·mā·ḵā·ṯə·hū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5564:To prop, to lean upon, take hold of

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OT Prophets: Isaiah 59:16 He saw that there was no man (Isa Isi Is)