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Isaiah 57 · a question people ask

The LORD says he was angry and struck him (57:17), and in the next verse that he will heal him (57:18). Does the chapter say why?

In the text

The two verses stand side by side. "I was angry because of the iniquity of his covetousness and struck him. I hid myself and was angry; and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart" (57:17). Then: "I have seen his ways, and will heal him. I will lead him also, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners" (57:18) (tap heal). Ways in 57:18 is the word of the way of his heart in 57:17 (tap way). Between the two verses the chapter gives no reason, and these notes add none. The same speech says before them, "For I will not contend forever, neither will I always be angry; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls whom I have made" (57:16) (tap contend, souls), and it ends, "and I will heal them" (57:19). The chapter doesn't say how those words bear on 57:18, and these notes don't either.

From Favor's study of Isaiah 57

Isaiah 57: Peace to the far and the near

In Hebrew peace comes four times in Isaiah 57, more than in any other chapter of the book: the righteous man "enters into peace" (57:2), the LORD says "Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near" (57:19), and the chapter ends "There is no peace" … "for the wicked" (57:21). And the one "who inhabits eternity" dwells "with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit" (57:15).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions