Isaiah 57:20
But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The "mire and dirt" thrown up by the restless sea aren't just random debris; they represent the foulness of sin and guilt that the wicked cannot escape, constantly churning to the surface of their being. This image highlights that their unrest isn't merely external turmoil but an internal pollution that reveals itself.
This verse appears at the end of a section where God laments the spiritual unfaithfulness of His people, contrasting the peace found in Him with the turmoil of those who turn away. Immediately preceding this, God offers comfort and healing to the repentant, promising peace to those who are near and far. This verse then sharply pivots to describe the unavoidable and inherent unrest of the wicked, a state that will never find true quiet.
The Bible uses vivid imagery to describe the inner state of those who turn away from God. What does this 'troubled sea' truly represent?
The verse paints a stark picture: 'the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet.' This isn't just about occasional storms, but a perpetual state of agitation.
No Inner Calm
Think of the ocean. Even on a seemingly calm day, there's always movement, a subtle swell. The Hebrew word here suggests an inability to be still, a fundamental lack of rest. For the wicked, this means their inner lives are characterized by:
A turbulent sea doesn't just churn; it throws things up. What are the 'mire and dirt' cast out by the wicked?
The second part of the verse reveals the outward manifestation of this inner turmoil: 'and its waters toss up mire and dirt.' This isn't just an internal struggle; it spills out into their lives and actions.
The Byproducts of Wickedness
Understand the original words
rasha · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Those who are ethically corrupt, characterized by their rejection of God’s law. They are defined not just by specific acts, but by a nature that is fundamentally opposed to God’s holiness.
This passage also uses the imagery of a troubled sea, describing the city of Damascus as restless and tossed about, mirroring the internal turmoil and lack of peace found in the wicked.
Proverbs 4:16-17These verses describe the wicked as unable to sleep unless they have done evil, highlighting their constant internal agitation and unrest, much like the restless sea in Isaiah.
Jude 1:13This New Testament passage directly compares the wicked to 'wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam,' which strongly echoes Isaiah's imagery of the sea casting up mire and dirt, symbolizing the corrupt and shameful things that come from a wicked heart.
Romans 8:5-8This passage contrasts the 'mind of the flesh,' which is restless and focused on worldly desires, with the 'mind of the Spirit,' showing how a life lived apart from God leads to constant inner turmoil and dissatisfaction, similar to the tossing sea.
cambridgeIsaiah 57:20: "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt."
20, 21 . Their peace is contrasted with the eternal unrest of the wicked. For the image cf. Judges 13. when ( for ) it cannot rest ] as Jeremiah 49:23 .
barnesIsaiah 57:20: "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt."
But the wicked - All who are transgressors of the law and who remain unpardoned. The design of this is to contrast their condition with that of those who should enjoy peace. The proposition is, therefore, of the most general character. All the wicked are like the troubled sea. Whether prosperous or otherwise; rich or poor; bond or free; old or young; whether in Christian, in civili…
The "mire and dirt" thrown up by the restless sea aren't just random debris; they represent the foulness of sin and guilt that the wicked cannot escape, constantly churning to the surface of their being. This image highlights that their unrest isn't merely external turmoil but an internal pollution that reveals itself.
This verse appears at the end of a section where God laments the spiritual unfaithfulness of His people, contrasting the peace found in Him with the turmoil of those who turn away. Immediately preceding this, God offers comfort and healing to the repentant, promising peace to those who are near and far. This verse then sharply pivots to describe the unavoidable and inherent unrest of the wicked, a state that will never find true quiet.
This verse appears at the end of a section where God laments the spiritual unfaithfulness of His people, contrasting the peace found in Him with the turmoil of those who turn away. Immediately preceding this, God offers comfort and healing to the repentant, promising peace to those who are near and far. This verse then sharply pivots to describe the unavoidable and inherent unrest of the wicked, a state that will never find true quiet.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Isaiah 57:20 is available in the Sola app.
"But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt." — The "mire and dirt" thrown up by the restless sea aren't just random debris; they represent the foulness of sin and guilt that the wicked cannot escape, constantly churning to the surface of their be…
