My 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.

ISAIAH 51:5KJV
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Isaiah 51:5 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 51:5 mean?

Isaiah 51:5 describes God declaring that His righteousness and salvation are close at hand, and that He will judge the people with strength and authority. People from distant lands (“the isles”) are pictured as waiting for and trusting in God’s power.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Isaiah to the people of Israel, reassuring them during a time of trouble or exile. The verse emphasizes that God’s saving help and justice are not far off, but about to be revealed, and that even those far away will look to Him for hope and deliverance.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 51:5

  • “Righteousness” (צֶדֶק, tsedeq, H6664) refers to God’s moral rightness and faithfulness to His promises, highlighting that His actions are just and trustworthy.
  • “Isles” (אִי, ’i, H339) often means distant coastlands or far-off nations, showing that God’s reach and concern extend beyond Israel to all peoples.
  • “Wait” (קָוָה, qavah, H6960) and “trust” (יָחַל, yachal, H3176) both carry the sense of hopeful expectation, not just passive waiting, but an active looking forward to God’s intervention.

Why Isaiah 51:5 matters

  • Isaiah 51:5 clarifies that God’s justice and salvation are not limited to Israel but are meant for all nations, as shown by the mention of “the isles.”
  • The verse reassures readers that God’s help is near, even when circumstances seem hopeless or distant.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme in Isaiah of God’s universal plan to bring salvation and justice, not just to Israel but to the whole world.

Where else these words appear

“salvation” Hebrew H3468 · used in 35 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
  • Psalms 20:6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
  • Psalms 85:4 Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.

“isles” Hebrew H339 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 10:5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
  • Isaiah 41:5 The isles saw it, and feared; the ends of the earth were afraid, drew near, and came.
  • Jeremiah 31:10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.

“trust” Hebrew H3176 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 8:12 And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.
  • Psalms 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
  • Psalms 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

“wait” Hebrew H6960 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 1:9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
  • Psalms 40:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
  • Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.