Isaiah 59:17

17 He will put the armor of holiness on his chest. He'll put the helmet of salvation on his head. He'll pay people back for the wrong things they do. He'll wrap himself in anger as if it were a coat.

Isaiah 59:17 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 59:17

For he put on righteousness as a breastplate
Here the Lord is represented as a warrior clothed with armour, and as Christ is, and as he will appear in the latter day on the behalf of his people, and against their enemies, who is called faithful and true, and in righteousness will make war, ( Revelation 19:11-13 ) , he will proceed according to justice and equity in righting the wrongs and avenging the injuries of his people; and both in saving them, and destroying their enemies, he will secure the honour of his faithfulness and justice, and the credit of his name and character; which will be preserved by his conduct, as the breast and inward parts are by the breastplate: and an helmet of salvation upon his head;
the salvation he will work out for his people will be very conspicuous; it will be seen by all, as the helmet on the head; and he will have the glory of it, on whose head are many crowns, ( Revelation 19:12 ) . The apostle has borrowed these phrases from hence, and applied them to the Christian armour, ( Ephesians 6:14 Ephesians 6:17 ) ( 1 Thessalonians 5:8 ) : and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing;
or, "he clothed himself with vengeance as a garment" ^F11; he wrapped himself in it, and resolved to execute it on his and his people's enemies; the time being come to avenge the blood of his servants, by shedding the blood of their adversaries, with which his garments will be stained; and therefore is represented as having on a vesture dipped in blood, ( Revelation 19:13 ) : and was clad with zeal as a cloak;
with zeal for his own glory, and the interest of his people, and against antichrist, and all antichristian worship and doctrine; and therefore his eyes are said to be as a flame of fire, ( Revelation 19:12 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F11 (Mqn ydgb vblyw) "et ultionem induit tanquam vestem", Tigurine version.

Isaiah 59:17 In-Context

15 In fact, truth can't be found anywhere. Those who refuse to do evil are attacked. The LORD sees that people aren't treating others fairly. That makes him unhappy.

16 He sees that there is no one who helps his people. He is shocked that no one stands up for them. So he will use his own powerful arm to save them. He has the strength to do it because he is holy.

17 He will put the armor of holiness on his chest. He'll put the helmet of salvation on his head. He'll pay people back for the wrong things they do. He'll wrap himself in anger as if it were a coat.

18 He will pay his enemies back for what they have done. He'll pour his anger out on them. He'll punish those who attack him. He'll give the people in the islands what they have coming to them.

19 People in the west will show respect for the LORD's name. People in the east will worship him because of his glory. The LORD will come like a rushing river that was held back. His breath will drive it along.