Menu

Isaiah 59:18

Isaiah 59:18 in Multiple Translations

So He will repay according to their deeds: fury to His enemies, retribution to His foes, and recompense to the islands.

According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.

According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, wrath to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompense.

He will give them the right reward of their doings, wrath to his attackers, punishment to his haters, and even on the sea-lands he will send punishment.

He will repay everyone for what they've done: fury to his enemies, revenge to those who oppose him, payback to the distant lands.

As to make recompence, as to requite the furie of the aduersaries with a recompence to his enemies: he will fully repaire the ylands.

According to deeds — so He repayeth. Fury to His adversaries, [their] deed to His enemies, To the isles [their] deed He repayeth.

According to their deeds, he will repay as appropriate: wrath to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies. He will repay the islands their due.

According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies; to the isles he will repay recompense.

As unto revenge, as it were to repay wrath to his adversaries, and a reward to his enemies: he will repay the like to the islands.

He will repay his enemies for the evil things that they have done. He will severely punish [MTY] even those who live far from Jerusalem.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights
God & Jesus
Holy Spirit
Divine Actions
Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 59:18

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Isaiah 59:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB כְּ/עַ֤ל גְּמֻלוֹת֙ כְּ/עַ֣ל יְשַׁלֵּ֔ם חֵמָ֣ה לְ/צָרָ֔י/ו גְּמ֖וּל לְ/אֹֽיְבָ֑י/ו לָ/אִיִּ֖ים גְּמ֥וּל יְשַׁלֵּֽם
כְּ/עַ֤ל ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Prep
גְּמֻלוֹת֙ gᵉmûwlâh H1578 recompense N-fp
כְּ/עַ֣ל ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Prep
יְשַׁלֵּ֔ם shâlam H7999 to complete V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
חֵמָ֣ה chêmâh H2534 rage N-fs
לְ/צָרָ֔י/ו tsar H6862 narrow Prep | N-mp | Suff
גְּמ֖וּל gᵉmûwl H1576 recompense N-ms
לְ/אֹֽיְבָ֑י/ו ʼôyêb H341 enemy Prep | V-Qal | Suff
לָ/אִיִּ֖ים ʼîy H339 coastland Prep | N-mp
גְּמ֥וּל gᵉmûwl H1576 recompense N-ms
יְשַׁלֵּֽם shâlam H7999 to complete V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 59:18

כְּ/עַ֤ל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep | Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
גְּמֻלוֹת֙ gᵉmûwlâh H1578 "recompense" N-fp
This Hebrew word means recompense or a reward for something done. It refers to dealing with someone in a certain way, either good or bad, and is translated as deed or recompense in the KJV.
Definition: dealing, recompense
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: deed, recompense, such a reward. See also: 2 Samuel 19:37; Isaiah 59:18; Jeremiah 51:56.
כְּ/עַ֣ל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep | Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
יְשַׁלֵּ֔ם shâlam H7999 "to complete" V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to be at peace or to make peace with someone. It is used in the Bible to describe a state of safety or friendship. In the KJV, it is translated as 'make amends' or 'be at peace'.
Definition: 1) to be complete, be sound 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be complete, be finished, be ended 1a2) to be sound, be uninjured 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to complete, finish 1b2) to make safe 1b3) to make whole or good, restore, make compensation 1b4) to make good, pay 1b5) to requite, recompense, reward 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be performed 1c2) to be repaid, be requited 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to complete, perform 1d2) to make an end of Aramaic equivalent: she.lam (שְׁלֵם "be complete" H8000)
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: make amends, (make an) end, finish, full, give again, make good, (re-) pay (again), (make) (to) (be at) peace(-able), that is perfect, perform, (make) prosper(-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution, restore, reward, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 44:4; Psalms 7:5; Psalms 22:26.
חֵמָ֣ה chêmâh H2534 "rage" N-fs
This word means intense anger or rage, like a burning fire. It's used in the Bible to describe God's wrath and human anger, often warning against the dangers of unchecked emotions. In Proverbs and Psalms, it cautions against the destructive power of anger and rage.
Definition: 1) heat, rage, hot displeasure, indignation, anger, wrath, poison, bottles 1a) heat 1a1) fever 1a2) venom, poison (fig.) 1b) burning anger, rage Aramaic equivalent: che.ma (חֱמָא "rage" H2528)
Usage: Occurs in 117 OT verses. KJV: anger, bottles, hot displeasure, furious(-ly, -ry), heat, indignation, poison, rage, wrath(-ful). See H2529 (חֶמְאָה). See also: Genesis 27:44; Isaiah 63:5; Psalms 6:2.
לְ/צָרָ֔י/ו tsar H6862 "narrow" Prep | N-mp | Suff
This word means hard or narrow, often referring to trouble or a tight spot, like an adversary or affliction. It can also mean a small stone or pebble, such as flint, and is used in various biblical contexts to describe challenges.
Definition: narrow, tight
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: adversary, afflicted(-tion), anguish, close, distress, enemy, flint, foe, narrow, small, sorrow, strait, tribulation, trouble. See also: Genesis 14:20; Psalms 89:24; Psalms 3:2.
גְּמ֖וּל gᵉmûwl H1576 "recompense" N-ms
This word means a reward or recompense for something, like a payment for work done. In the Bible, it is used to describe God's rewards for the faithful, like in Psalm 19. The KJV translates it as recompense or reward.
Definition: 1) dealing, recompense, benefit 1a) dealing (of one's hand) 1b) recompense 1c) benefit
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] as hast served, benefit, desert, deserving, that which he hath given, recompense, reward. See also: Judges 9:16; Isaiah 3:11; Psalms 28:4.
לְ/אֹֽיְבָ֑י/ו ʼôyêb H341 "enemy" Prep | V-Qal | Suff
This Hebrew word means enemy or adversary, referring to someone who hates or opposes another person or nation. It is used to describe personal or national enemies in the Bible.
Definition: 1) (Qal) enemy 1a) personal 1b) national
Usage: Occurs in 275 OT verses. KJV: enemy, foe. See also: Genesis 22:17; 2 Samuel 22:1; Psalms 3:8.
לָ/אִיִּ֖ים ʼîy H339 "coastland" Prep | N-mp
This word refers to a habitable spot, such as a coast, island, or dry land. It is used to describe desirable places in the Bible, like a country or region.
Definition: coast, island, shore, region
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: country, isle, island. See also: Genesis 10:5; Isaiah 51:5; Psalms 72:10.
גְּמ֥וּל gᵉmûwl H1576 "recompense" N-ms
This word means a reward or recompense for something, like a payment for work done. In the Bible, it is used to describe God's rewards for the faithful, like in Psalm 19. The KJV translates it as recompense or reward.
Definition: 1) dealing, recompense, benefit 1a) dealing (of one's hand) 1b) recompense 1c) benefit
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] as hast served, benefit, desert, deserving, that which he hath given, recompense, reward. See also: Judges 9:16; Isaiah 3:11; Psalms 28:4.
יְשַׁלֵּֽם shâlam H7999 "to complete" V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to be at peace or to make peace with someone. It is used in the Bible to describe a state of safety or friendship. In the KJV, it is translated as 'make amends' or 'be at peace'.
Definition: 1) to be complete, be sound 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be complete, be finished, be ended 1a2) to be sound, be uninjured 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to complete, finish 1b2) to make safe 1b3) to make whole or good, restore, make compensation 1b4) to make good, pay 1b5) to requite, recompense, reward 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be performed 1c2) to be repaid, be requited 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to complete, perform 1d2) to make an end of Aramaic equivalent: she.lam (שְׁלֵם "be complete" H8000)
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: make amends, (make an) end, finish, full, give again, make good, (re-) pay (again), (make) (to) (be at) peace(-able), that is perfect, perform, (make) prosper(-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution, restore, reward, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 44:4; Psalms 7:5; Psalms 22:26.

Study Notes — Isaiah 59:18

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Jeremiah 17:10 I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.
2 Isaiah 63:6 I trampled the nations in My anger; in My wrath I made them drunk and poured out their blood on the ground.”
3 Romans 2:6 God “will repay each one according to his deeds.”
4 Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.
5 Nahum 1:2 The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and reserves wrath for His enemies.
6 Lamentations 4:11 The LORD has exhausted His wrath; He has poured out His fierce anger; He has kindled a fire in Zion, and it has consumed her foundations.
7 Isaiah 63:3 “I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained.
8 Psalms 18:24–26 So the LORD has repaid me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight. To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless; to the pure You show Yourself pure, but to the crooked You show Yourself shrewd.
9 Isaiah 66:15 For behold, the LORD will come with fire— His chariots are like a whirlwind— to execute His anger with fury and His rebuke with flames of fire.
10 Psalms 21:8–9 Your hand will apprehend all Your enemies; Your right hand will seize those who hate You. You will place them in a fiery furnace at the time of Your appearing. In His wrath the LORD will engulf them, and the fire will consume them.

Isaiah 59:18 Summary

[This verse, Isaiah 59:18, is saying that God will give people what they deserve, whether it be good or bad, based on how they have lived their lives. This is a serious reminder to us to live in a way that is pleasing to God, as we see in Psalms 37:3. God is a just God and will judge people fairly, as also stated in Romans 2:6. We should strive to live in a way that honors Him and seeks to follow His commands, as seen in Matthew 22:37-40.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for God to repay according to their deeds?

This means that God will judge people based on their actions, as seen in Isaiah 59:18, and He will give them what they deserve, whether it be fury, retribution, or recompense, as also stated in Psalms 62:12 and Romans 2:6.

Who are the enemies and foes that God will show fury and retribution to?

The enemies and foes refer to those who have rebelled against God and refused to follow Him, as seen in Isaiah 59:18 and also in Isaiah 1:2, where God laments that His people have turned against Him.

What does the phrase 'recompense to the islands' mean?

The phrase 'recompense to the islands' likely refers to God's judgment on the nations, as the islands often represent distant lands or nations in the Bible, as seen in Isaiah 41:1 and Isaiah 42:4.

Is this verse talking about God's present or future judgment?

This verse, Isaiah 59:18, is likely talking about God's future judgment, as it is part of a larger section that discusses God's salvation and redemption, as seen in Isaiah 59:16-20, and is also connected to the idea of the Redeemer coming to Zion in Isaiah 59:20.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I have seen God's judgment or consequences play out in my own life or in the lives of those around me?
  2. How can I ensure that I am living in a way that is pleasing to God, so that I will not face His fury or retribution?
  3. In what ways can I be an intercessor, like the one God was looking for in Isaiah 59:16, and pray for those who are rebellious against God?
  4. What does it mean for me to 'fear the name of the LORD' as mentioned in Isaiah 59:19, and how can I cultivate a healthy fear of God in my life?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 59:18

According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay,.... As the enemies of his people have treated them, so will the Lord deal with them; as they have shed their blood, he will, according to the laws

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 59:18

According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 59:18

Deeds, Heb. recompences or deserts, i.e. he will recompense his adversaries with those effects of his fury that they have deserved. Fury; a metonymy of the efficient, for the effects of his fury. Islands; or, islanders; a metonymy of the containing for the contained; either Mesopotamia, and other adjacent islands, encompassed by Tigris and Euphrates; or those remoter nations (for the Hebrews call nations remote from Judea islands, . See Poole "", and the reason of it) under the king of Babylon, that thought themselves secure.

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 59:18

Isaiah 59:18 According to [their] deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.Ver. 18. Fury to his adversaries,] viz., The devil and his agents, his people’ s adversaries.

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 59:18

(18) To his adversaries . . .—The judgment is generally against all, in Israel or outside it, who come under this description. The word “islands” is used, as elsewhere, for far-off lands. The words point to every such judgment, from that of Cyrus to the great final day.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 59:18

Verse 18. According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay - "He is mighty to recompense; he that is mighty to recompense will requite"] The former part of this verse, as it stands at present in the Hebrew text, seems to me to be very imperfect, and absolutely unintelligible. The learned Vitringa has taken a great deal of pains upon it after Cocceius, who he says is the only one of all the interpreters, ancient or modern, who has at all understood it, and has opened the way for him. He thinks that both of them together have clearly made out the sense; I do not expect that any third person will ever be of that opinion. He says, Videtur sententia ad verbum sonare: quasi propter facta [adversariorum] quasi propter rependet; excandescentiam, c., et sic reddidit Pagnimus. "According to the height of their demerits, he will repay them to the height: fury to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies," c. - Waterland. This he converts, by a process which will not much edify my reader, into Secundum summe merita, secundum summe (merita) rependet which is his translation. They that hold the present Hebrew text to be absolutely infallible must make their way through it as they can but they ought surely to give us somewhat that has at least the appearance of sense. However, I hope the case here is not quite desperate; the Chaldee leads us very fairly to the correction of the text, which is both corrupted and defective. The paraphrase runs thus: מרי גמליא הוא גמלא ישלם marey gumlaiya hu gimla yeshallem, "The Lord of retribution, he will render recompense." He manifestly read בעל baal instead of כעל keal. מרי גמליא marey gumlaiya is בעל גמלות baal gemuloth; as מרי מרירותא marey merirutha is בעל אף baal aph. Proverbs 22:24. And so in the Chaldee paraphrase on Isaiah 35:4: מרי גמליא יי הוא יתגלי marey gamlaiya yeya hu yithgeley, "The Lord of retribution, Jehovah himself, shall be revealed;" words very near to those of the prophet in this place. The second כעל keal, which the Chaldee has omitted, must be read בעל baal likewise. With this only addition to the Chaldee, which the Hebrew text justifies, we are supplied with the following clear reading of the passage: - הוא גמלות בעל hu gemuloth baal ישלם גמלות בעל yeshallem gemuloth baal The Lord of retributions he The Lord of retributions, shall repay. The כ caph in כעל keal twice seems to have been at first ב beth, in MS. This verse in the Septuagint is very imperfect. In the first part of it they give us no assistance: the latter part is wholly omitted in the printed copies; but it is thus supplied by MSS. Pachom. and I. D. II: Τοιςὑπεναντιοιςαυτου·αμυναντοιςεχθροιςαυτου·ταιςνησοιςαποδομααποτισει. - L.

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 59:18

18–20. The consequences of Jehovah’s interposition.

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 59:18

According to their deeds - The general sentiment of this verse is plain, though there is not a little difficulty in the construction of the Hebrew.

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 59:18

18. According… deeds… he will repay — Dealing fury, terrible retribution, but only to the incorrigible. To the islands — See chap. Isaiah 41:1.

Sermons on Isaiah 59:18

SermonDescription
Billy Graham Crusade 1957 by Billy Graham This sermon emphasizes the importance of examining and surrendering our hearts to God. It delves into the sinful, wicked, rebellious, and hardened nature of the human heart, highli
Paul Washer The Judgment of God and the Great White Throne! by Paul Washer In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of God's revelation and warns about the consequences of its removal. He highlights that on Judgment Day, all the knowledge an
Ralph Mahoney Marvelous Benefits of Repentance by Ralph Mahoney In this sermon, the preacher discusses the four benefits that come to those who truly repent. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging sin, confessing it, making restitution,
Derek Prince The Lord Examines Our Paths by Derek Prince Derek Prince emphasizes the profound truth that every action and motive of our lives is fully exposed to the Lord, who meticulously examines our paths. There is no hiding from God'
Charles Finney Design or Intention Constitutes Character by Charles Finney Charles Finney emphasizes that a person's moral character is defined by their ultimate intention rather than their actions or subordinate intentions. He explains the distinction be
David Wilkerson Having a Perfect Heart by David Wilkerson David Wilkerson emphasizes the possibility of walking before the Lord with a perfect heart, encouraging believers to earnestly desire obedience to God's command. He explains that p
J.C. Ryle Is Thy Heart Right? by J.C. Ryle J.C. Ryle emphasizes the critical importance of the heart in one's relationship with God, arguing that a heart cannot be deemed good if it does not reflect righteousness in actions

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate