Isaiah 59:15 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 59:15 mean?

Isaiah 59:15 describes a time when truth has disappeared from society, and anyone who tries to avoid wrongdoing becomes a target for harm. The verse says that the LORD saw this situation and was displeased because there was no justice being carried out.

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Israel about the deep moral and social breakdown in their community. Isaiah points out that honesty and justice are so rare that people who try to do what is right are vulnerable and at risk. The LORD’s reaction shows that God is aware of this injustice and is not pleased with the lack of fair judgment among the people.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 59:15

• "truth" (אֱמֶת, 'emet): This word means reliability, faithfulness, or honesty. Its failure here highlights a society where trust and integrity have collapsed.
• "faileth" (נֶעְדָּר, ne'edar): This word means to be missing or to vanish. It emphasizes that truth is not just ignored but has actually disappeared from public life.
• "prey" (שָׁלַל, shalal): This word refers to something or someone taken as spoil or plunder. The verse uses it to show that people who turn from evil are treated like easy victims.
• "judgment" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat): This word means justice or fair decision-making. Its absence is what displeases the LORD, underlining that God values justice in society.

Why Isaiah 59:15 matters

• Isaiah 59:15 makes clear that when truth and justice are missing, even good people suffer, and wrongdoing becomes the norm.
• The verse highlights that God is not indifferent to injustice; the LORD is actively displeased when fairness and judgment are absent.
• This verse connects to the larger message of Isaiah 59, which describes how widespread sin and injustice separate people from God, setting the stage for God’s response in the following verses.