What does Isaiah 59:18 mean?
"According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence." - Isaiah 59:18

Isaiah 59:18 in the King James Version of the Bible reads: "According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence."
This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Isaiah that speaks to the Israelites about their rebellion and the consequences of their actions. The context of this verse is important in understanding its deeper meaning and significance.
In the preceding verses, the prophet Isaiah is addressing the sinful and rebellious nature of the people of Israel. He emphasizes their dishonesty, corruption, and injustice, which have led to a breakdown in their relationship with God. The Israelites have turned away from God and his ways, and as a result, they are experiencing the negative consequences of their actions. There is a sense of moral decay and the breakdown of society, as well as a feeling of hopelessness and despair.
In verse 18, Isaiah conveys the message that God will respond to the actions of the people in a just and righteous manner. He will repay according to their deeds, bringing fury to his adversaries and recompense to his enemies. This emphasizes the idea of divine justice and the certainty of God's retribution. The verse also speaks of the islands, symbolizing distant lands and nations, indicating that God's judgment is not limited to one group of people but extends to all.
The theme of retribution and justice is central to this verse. It serves as a reminder that God is a just and righteous judge who will hold people accountable for their actions. The verse also highlights the consequences of rebellion against God and the importance of living in accordance with his will.
In addition to its thematic significance, there is also symbolism in this verse. The concept of "fury to his adversaries" and "recompense to his enemies" symbolizes God's righteous anger and the consequences of opposing him. It conveys the idea that disobedience and rebellion will not go unpunished, and that there are consequences for turning away from God and his ways.
Furthermore, the mention of "the islands" in the verse can be seen as a symbol of the broader implications of God's judgment. It signifies that God's justice extends to all corners of the earth and to all people, regardless of their location or background.
Overall, Isaiah 59:18 in the King James Version of the Bible carries a powerful message about the justice and retribution of God. It serves as a warning to those who oppose God and a reminder of the consequences of rebellion. The verse reinforces the idea that God is a just judge who will hold people accountable for their actions, and it emphasizes the importance of living in accordance with his will. The symbolism in the verse adds depth to its meaning, conveying the broader implications of God's judgment and the universal nature of his justice.
Have questions about Isaiah 59:18?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Isaiah 59:18 Artwork
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."
"According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence." - Isaiah 59:18
Isaiah 59:1 - "Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:"
Isaiah 59:20 - "¶ And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD."
Isaiah 59:7 - "Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths."
Isaiah 59:14 - "And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter."
Isaiah 59:15 - "Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment."
Isaiah 59:6 - "Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands."
Isaiah 59:5 - "They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper."
Isaiah 59:4 - "None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity."
Isaiah 59:16 - "¶ And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him."
Isaiah 59:8 - "The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace."
Isaiah 59:3 - "For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness."
Isaiah 59:17 - "For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke."
Isaiah 59:11 - "We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us."
Isaiah 59:12 - "For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them;"
Isaiah 59:13 - "In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood."
Isaiah 59:2 - "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 59:9 - "¶ Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness."
Isaiah 59:10 - "We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men."
"As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever." - Isaiah 59:21
Isaiah 59:19 - "So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him."
"Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:" - Isaiah 59:1
"¶ And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD." - Isaiah 59:20
Isaiah 59:4 No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies; They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.
Isaiah 59:4 No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies; They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.
Isaiah 59:4 No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies; They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.
Isaiah 59:3 (KJVA) 3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
Isaiah 59:10 We grope for the wall like the blind, And we grope as if we had no eyes; We stumble at noonday as at twilight; We are as dead men in desolate places.
Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.