But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

ISAIAH 59:2KJV
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Isaiah 59:2 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 59:2 mean?

Isaiah 59:2 describes how the people's wrongdoing has created a barrier between them and God, causing God to turn away and not listen to their prayers. The verse plainly says that it is their own sins that have caused this separation, not any lack of willingness on God's part.

In this part of the book, the prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Israel, explaining why they feel distant from God and why their prayers seem unanswered. The situation is one where the community is experiencing trouble and wondering why God seems far away. Isaiah makes it clear that the problem is not with God, but with the people's own actions and choices.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 59:2

  • "iniquities" (עֲוֹנוֹת, ʿăwōnōt): This word refers to guilt or moral wrongdoing, not just mistakes but actions that carry a sense of responsibility and consequence. Isaiah uses it to show the seriousness of what separates people from God.
  • "separated" (הִבְדִּילוּ, hivdilu): This word means to divide or make a distinction. It paints a picture of a real gap or wall being put up between God and the people, not just a feeling of distance.
  • "hid" (הִסְתִּיר, histir): This word means to conceal or cover. The idea is that God’s face is hidden, not in anger, but as a result of the people's actions, making it so they cannot see or experience His presence.
  • "hear" (שָׁמַע, shāmaʿ): This word means to listen or pay attention. The verse says God does not "hear," meaning He is not responding to their cries because of the barrier their sins have created.

Why Isaiah 59:2 matters

  • Isaiah 59:2 clears up the misunderstanding that God is distant or uncaring; the verse points to human choices as the cause of separation.
  • The verse emphasizes personal responsibility, showing that the relationship with God is affected by one’s actions, not by God withdrawing for no reason.
  • In the wider context of Isaiah 59, this verse sets up the need for repentance and restoration, explaining why the people need to seek change if they want to reconnect with God.

Where else these words appear

“between” Hebrew H996 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
  • Exodus 12:6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.
  • 2 Chronicles 14:11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.

“separated” Hebrew H914 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
  • Numbers 8:14 Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine.
  • Ezra 6:21 And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,

“hid” Hebrew H5641 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 4:14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
  • Psalms 10:11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
  • Proverbs 27:12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.