Isaiah 59:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 59:16-21

How sin abounded we have read, to our great amazement, in the former part of the chapter; how grace does much more abound we read in these verses. And, as sin took occasion from the commandment to become more exceedingly sinful, so grace took occasion from the transgression of the commandment to appear more exceedingly gracious. Observe, I. Why God wrought salvation for this provoking people, notwithstanding their provocations. It was purely for his own name's sake; because there was nothing... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 59:17

For he put on righteousness as a breastplate ,.... Here the Lord is represented as a warrior clothed with armour, and as Christ is, and as he will appear in the latter day on the behalf of his people, and against their enemies, who is called faithful and true, and in righteousness will make war, Revelation 19:11 , he will proceed according to justice and equity in righting the wrongs and avenging the injuries of his people; and both in saving them, and destroying their enemies, he will... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 59:17

For clothing "For his clothing" - תלבשת tilbosheth . "I cannot but think that this word, תלבשת tilbosheth , is an interpolation. It is in no one ancient version. It is redundant in the sense, as it is before expressed in בגדי bigdey . It makes the hemistich just so much longer than it ought to be, if it is compared with the others adjoining. It makes a form of construction in this clause less elegant than that in the others. It might probably be in some margin a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 59:15-17

Human hopelessness and Divine redemption. This vivid picture of the nation's demoralization, and of its incapacity to produce a citizen who could regenerate and reform, may appropriately suggest— I. THE HOPELESS CONDITION OF THE HUMAN RACE UNDER THE LONG TYRANNY OF SIN . Man had fallen so far that there was not the smallest prospect of redemption from anything he could originate. The all-seeing eye of God rested on "no man, no intercessor." Reformer there... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 59:15-21

A PROMISE OF DELIVERANCE . TO OPPRESSED ISRAEL . The godly in Israel were suffering a double oppression: The prophet promises a deliverance from both. The deliverance will be followed by the establishment of Messiah's kingdom, which will continue for ever. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 59:15-21

Jehovah as Champion of the people. I. HE IS THE INTERESTED SPECTATOR OF HUMAN AFFAIRS . He "considers in his dwelling-place" ( Isaiah 18:4 ). He "causes his ear to hear"—to judge the fatherless and oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress ( Psalms 10:18 ). He is not like the gods of the Epicureans, "sitting apart, careless of mankind." He is a God who can feel pleasure in goodness and the good , displeasure in the prevalence of wrong and injustice.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 59:17

He put on righteousness as a breastplate . The Isaiah anthropomorphism is far less gross than the Homeric. The gods in Homer put on actual armour, and take sword and shield. Jehovah arms himself for the battle in a way that is manifestly metaphoric. He puts on a "Divine panoply"—righteousness as his breastplate, salvation as his helmet, vengeance for garments, and zeal, or jealousy, for a cloak. He takes no offensive weapons—"the out-breathing of his Spirit (verse 19) is enough" (Kay). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 59:17

For he put on righteousness - That is, God the Redeemer. The prophet here introduces him as going forth to vindicate his people clad like an ancient warrior. In the declaration that he ‘put on righteousness,’ the essential idea is, that he was pure and holy. The same image is used by the prophet in another figure in Isaiah 11:5 (see the note at that place).As a breastplate - The breastplate was a well-known piece of ancient armor, designed to defend the breast from the darts and the sword of an... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 59:17-18

Isaiah 59:17-18. For he put on righteousness as a breast-plate God, resolving to appear as a man of war, puts on his armour; he calls righteousness his breast-plate, to show the justness of his cause, as also his faithfulness in making good his promises. And a helmet of salvation upon his head As the breast-plate is to defend the heart, whereby God signifies the justness of his cause, and his faithfulness; so the helmet is to defend the head, the fountain of knowledge and wisdom,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 59:1-21

Society incapable of reform (59:1-21)Ungodly society is heading for destruction. The reason for this is not that God is powerless to save people, but that people’s sins have cut them off from God, the only one who can save them. They have filled the land with violence, lies and treachery (59:1-3).Because of the corruption of the courts, there is no justice in society (4). Wickedness multiplies as evil people spread their poison and trap the innocent in their plots. They try to cover their sin... read more

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