Isiah 54 17

Isaiah 54:17 – Meaning, Symbolism, and Interpretations
Verse
No Weapon That Is Formed Against Thee Shall Prosper; And Every Tongue That Shall Rise Against Thee In
Judgment Thou Shalt Condemn. This Is The Heritage Of The Servants Of The Lord, And Their
Righteousness Is Of Me, Saith The Lord. - Isaiah 54:17
Meaning of Isaiah 54:17

The book of Isaiah is often read in churches for the list of warnings, promises and assurance from God
to his believers. The verse, “No Weapon That Is Formed Against Thee Shall Prosper; And Every Tongue
That Shall Rise Against Thee In Judgment Thou Shalt Condemn,” means that whatever sinister devices
are constructed, along with deceitful schemes are formed against God’s people, they will one day be
punished or judged by the Lord. The following second phrase reconfirms that even gossips, insults or
conspiracies against God’s children will utterly fail, and their plans will fail. The next part of the verse,
“This Is The Heritage Of The Servants Of The Lord, And Their Righteousness Is Of Me, Saith The Lord,”
means God reminding his children of their privilege of being Christians.
Interpretations of Isaiah 54:17

The book of Isaiah is one of the most taught books from the Old Testament. The verse 54:17 is used with
various interpretations and also called a confession verse or one of the most powerful promise from
God. A few interpretations are follows.
Interpretation #1 God can destroy anyone who is against his followers/believers

The verse, ‘No Weapon That Is Formed Against Thee Shall Prosper’ can be interpretated as God’s
promise to his believers or children. Here, He is consoling his reader or listener that He is listening to his
or her request and even sees the attack that is directed towards them. Thus, He assures that whoever
tried to cause harm to them will not flourish in their lives. Christians mostly claim this part of the
promise even when they are mistaken and hurled an minor insult against them. Although it was meant
for the people of Israel, it applies to Christians all over the world.
Interpretation #2 Humans hold power to defeat their enemies

In this interpretation, the person who believes in God assume that they have the same power as God
and hold the same authority if keep their faith in God. Here, in this part of the verse, “And Every Tongue
That Shall Rise Against Thee In Judgment Thou Shalt Condemn,” can mean that they are capable of
bringing their enemies to their knees. Also, the interpretation also means that humans can easily believe
it is okay to harm their oponents. Thus, they may fail to respect their elders at home, higher authorities
at school or work when they are corrected. The readers also believe that they are gods with this version
for the verse.
Interpretation #3 It is okay to avenge anyone with who the person doesn’t agree with
The following part of the verse, ‘No Weapon That Is Formed Against Thee Shall Prosper; And Every
Tongue That Shall Rise Against Thee In Judgment Thou Shalt Condemn’ indicates the justification of
vengeance. In this interpretation, similar to the above version, these words assure the believers and
readers that they have right to condemn anyone they disagree with. While it is not unusual for people to
think that they must avenge their enemies for harm any done to them or their loved one. So, the
readers might take harsh decision against anyone he or she has a quarrel.
Interpretation #4 People are as righteous as God
In this version, it can be perceived that humans are true master of their own universe. Righteousness is
a concept and idea that possibly started in the Bible. The phrase, ‘This Is The Heritage Of The Servants
Of The Lord, And Their Righteousness Is Of Me, Saith The Lord’ can mean that a person who believes in
God is righteous despite their lifestyle and has all the power and abilities of God. In this interpretation,
the reader, thus believes that they have inherited not only righteousness of God but also His Kingdom
just by claiming the part of the verse even if they make wrong choices.
Interpretation #5 God is like a shield for his people and fiercely protects them
In the verse Isaiah 54:7 God is assuring his followers that he will protect them from harm. In this
interpretation, this promise is give to the church if they have been faithful and living a righteous life.
Here the promise does not imply that God will justify the readers mistake or defend them when they
have quarrel with someone. This verse also gives the reader and believer courage to face their adversary
with courage and boldness. And finally, God assures that when a person believes in him and stays strong
during the hardships they will have God’s inheritance or blessings as promised in the last part of the
verse.
Historical Background of Isaiah 54:17

The Book of Isaiah is among the first of the last Prophets in the Hebrew Bible and the first of the main
Prophets in the Christian Old Testament. It is known by a superscription as the words of the 8th-century
BC prophet Isaiah ben Amoz. However, there is wide-ranging evidence that much of it was written
during the Babylonian captivity and later. Isaiah 54:11–17, the prophet Isaiah brings a message from
God about the restoration of Jerusalem after its annihilation by the Babylonians.
Literary Devices in Isaiah 54:17

Most of the prophecies in the Old Testament, including the book of Isaiah was written in a poetic form.
Here are some literary devices from Isaiah 54:17.
Ambiguity - The verse Isaiah 54:17 is not only interpreted in serval ways, but each phrase has more than
one meaning. Thus the literary device ambiguity is seen in each phrase. For example, the phrase ‘no
weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper’ could mean God’s protection, God’s revenge against
his believer’s enemy, God’s warning to His children’s enemies, God’s promise of assurance during a
battle, etc.
Ethos - The entire verse is a perfect example of ethos, used to represent authority and persuade the
reader, and is one of the modes of persuasion in rhetoric. For example, ‘and every tongue that shall rise
against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.’
Repetition - The phrase ‘the Lord’ is repeated in Isaiah 54:17 to remind the reader and reinforce the
authority of God.
Consonance - Despite being a regular sentence or a dialogue, there are a good use of sound devices in
this verse. For example, The sound of /th/ in This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their
righteousness is of me’ and the sound of /s/ in ‘and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment
thou shalt condemn’.
Hyperbole - There is also an exaggeration used in Isaiah 54:17, even though for the good reason, where
through author God declares that man has a capacity to destroy or defeat anyone who speaks against
him/her. For example, ‘every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn’.

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Isaiah 54:17 – Meaning, Symbolism, and Interpretations

Meaning of Isaiah 54:17

Interpretations of Isaiah 54:17

Interpretation #1 God can destroy anyone who is against his followers/believers

Interpretation #2 Humans hold power to defeat their enemies

Historical Background of Isaiah 54:17

Literary Devices in Isaiah 54:17

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