Isaiah 57:20-21
But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt. There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
It's easy to read this as simply saying the wicked are restless. But the verse actually emphasizes the impossibility of peace for them, not just a temporary state of agitation. Their inner turmoil isn't like a storm that passes; their waters constantly churn up their inner filth and guilt, making true rest eternally out of reach.
This verse serves as a stark contrast to the peace promised to the righteous in the preceding verses. Following Isaiah's condemnation of Israel's idolatry and misplaced trust in alliances, he shifts to describe the inherent unrest of the wicked, which continues throughout the chapter. The prophet vividly illustrates their turbulent inner state, a state of perpetual agitation that offers no solace, unlike the tranquility found in God.
The Bible paints a vivid picture of the wicked, comparing them to the sea. But what kind of sea are we talking about?
Isaiah 57:20 describes the wicked as being like 'the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet.' This isn't just about moments of chaos or storms. The Hebrew here emphasizes a fundamental inability to find rest.
What happens when a restless sea churns? It brings up the unpleasantness from its depths. What does this reveal about the wicked?
The verse continues, 'and its waters toss up mire and dirt.' This imagery powerfully illustrates what emerges from the inner turmoil of the wicked.
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.
shalom · Hebrew Noun
A comprehensive state of wholeness, harmony, welfare, and tranquility, resulting from a right relationship with God and others. It represents the fullness of God's blessing and the absence of conflict or distress.
rasha' · Hebrew Adjective
Refers to those who are morally corrupt, rebellious against God, or lacking integrity. In a biblical context, it describes individuals who willfully reject God’s laws and authority, standing in opposition to His righteousness.
This passage directly parallels the restlessness of the wicked, describing how they are unable to sleep unless they have done evil, much like the sea that cannot be quiet.
Jeremiah 49:23This verse describes Damascus as troubled and restless, echoing Isaiah's imagery of the sea's perpetual unrest to depict the agitated state of those who are wicked.
Luke 8:24Jesus calms a stormy sea, demonstrating His power over the tumultuous elements. This contrasts with the wicked's inherent restlessness, showing that true peace comes from divine intervention.
James 1:6-8This passage describes the 'double-minded' person as being like a wave of the sea, tossed and driven by the wind, directly connecting the imagery of the restless sea to a lack of inner stability and purpose.
Romans 3:13This verse quotes from Psalms and describes the tongue as speaking deceit and poison, much like the mire and dirt that the wicked's troubled waters cast up, highlighting the corrupt and harmful output of their inner turmoil.
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…
It's easy to read this as simply saying the wicked are restless. But the verse actually emphasizes the impossibility of peace for them, not just a temporary state of agitation. Their inner turmoil isn't like a storm that passes; their waters constantly churn up their inner filth and guilt, making true rest eternally out of reach.
This verse serves as a stark contrast to the peace promised to the righteous in the preceding verses. Following Isaiah's condemnation of Israel's idolatry and misplaced trust in alliances, he shifts to describe the inherent unrest of the wicked, which continues throughout the chapter. The prophet vividly illustrates their turbulent inner state, a state of perpetual agitation that offers no solace, unlike the tranquility found in God.
This verse serves as a stark contrast to the peace promised to the righteous in the preceding verses. Following Isaiah's condemnation of Israel's idolatry and misplaced trust in alliances, he shifts to describe the inherent unrest of the wicked, which continues throughout the chapter. The prophet vividly illustrates their turbulent inner state, a state of perpetual agitation that offers no solace, unlike the tranquility found in God.
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 57:20-21 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. There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”" — It's easy to read this as simply saying the wicked are restless. But the verse actually emphasizes the impossibility of peace for them, not just a temporary state of agitation. Their inner turmoil…
