Isaiah 65:6
Behold, it is written before me: “I will not keep silent, but I will repay; I will indeed repay into their lap
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
God’s judgment is not a hasty reaction but a fully recorded, deliberate response. The phrase "it is written before me" signifies that every sin is meticulously documented in God's presence, ensuring a sure and complete recompense, not an arbitrary punishment.
In this passage, God is responding to the people's persistent idolatry and rejection of His ways, highlighting that their sins are meticulously recorded and will not be overlooked. He declares His intention to deliver swift and full judgment, contrasting the eventual fate of the unfaithful with the promised blessings for those who remain His faithful servants. The prophecy then transitions to the ultimate restoration and renewal that God will bring about for His people.
Do you ever feel like your sins are hidden, or that God hasn't noticed your wrongdoings? This verse assures us that everything is recorded.
The phrase 'Behold, it is written before me' is a powerful declaration of God's perfect memory and perfect justice.
God's Heavenly Archives
Think of it like a cosmic record book. Every action, every thought, every word is meticulously logged. This isn't a passive observation; it's a divine registry that ensures accountability. Unlike human records that can be lost or tampered with, God's record is infallible.
Implications for Justice
This record isn't just for condemnation; it's the basis for righteous judgment. When God says, 'I will not keep silent,' it means His silence hasn't been ignorance or indifference. It's a deliberate pause, a patience that allows for repentance, but also a prelude to a just and certain sentence. The sins are 'written before Him' so that the recompense is not arbitrary but is measured and deserved.
God's patience can sometimes feel like silence, but it's never forgetfulness. What does 'recompense into their bosom' really mean?
The repetition of 'I will repay; I will indeed repay' underscores the absolute certainty of divine retribution for sin.
A Full Measure
The phrase 'into their bosom' is vivid. In ancient garments, the 'bosom' or the front fold served as a pocket. To repay 'into their bosom' meant to give them a full measure, often overflowing, of what they deserved. It signifies a complete and abundant retribution.
Justice in Action
This isn't about vindictive punishment but about establishing justice. God's judgment is described as 'recompensing,' indicating a balanced, proportionate response to actions. It can mean a full measure of consequence for wrongdoing, or, when applied to believers, a full measure of blessing. Here, in the context of judgment, it refers to the severity and completeness of the penalty for sin.
This passage speaks into the profound devastation and spiritual desolation experienced during the Babylonian exile. It assures the exiles that their sins, and those of their ancestors, have been meticulously recorded, and that God's judgment, though delayed, is certain and will be fully repaid.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Captivity of Northern Kingdom
The Northern Kingdom of Israel (10 tribes) is conquered and exiled by the Assyrians. This event marks a significant rupture in Israel's history and serves as a warning to the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and deports a first group of exiles, including young nobles like Daniel, to Babylon. This event signals the beginning of Judah's decline.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a revolt, Nebuchadnezzar deports more Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. This further diminishes Judah's strength and independence.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Babylonian forces destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the majority of the remaining population. This is the nadir of Israel's national and spiritual life.
This verse speaks to God's silence not being indifference, but a prelude to judgment, mirroring the idea that God's
Jeremiah 17:1This passage also highlights the concept of sins being recorded and remembered by God, emphasizing that His judgment is based on a divine record.
Luke 6:38This New Testament parable directly echoes the imagery of 'recompensing into their bosom,' illustrating how God's measure of giving or judging is abundant and full.
Romans 2:5-6This passage connects God's patience with His ultimate judgment, warning that His long-suffering should not be mistaken for approval, aligning with the idea of inevitable recompense.
clarkeIsaiah 65:6: "Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,"
Behold, it is written before me - Their sin is registered in heaven, calling aloud for the punishment due to it. I will - recompense into their bosom - The bosom is the place where the Asiatics have their pockets, and not in their skirts like the inhabitants of the west. Their loose flowing garments have scarcely any thing analogous to skirts. Into their bosom - For על…
pooleIsaiah 65:6: "Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,"
They may think that I take no notice of these things, or if I take any notice, I will forget them, or at least not enter into judgment with them for them; but I as certainly know and will remember them, as princes or great men that record things in writing which they would not forget. And they shall know that I know and take notice of and will remember them; for I will…
God’s judgment is not a hasty reaction but a fully recorded, deliberate response. The phrase "it is written before me" signifies that every sin is meticulously documented in God's presence, ensuring a sure and complete recompense, not an arbitrary punishment.
In this passage, God is responding to the people's persistent idolatry and rejection of His ways, highlighting that their sins are meticulously recorded and will not be overlooked. He declares His intention to deliver swift and full judgment, contrasting the eventual fate of the unfaithful with the promised blessings for those who remain His faithful servants. The prophecy then transitions to the ultimate restoration and renewal that God will bring about for His people.
In this passage, God is responding to the people's persistent idolatry and rejection of His ways, highlighting that their sins are meticulously recorded and will not be overlooked. He declares His intention to deliver swift and full judgment, contrasting the eventual fate of the unfaithful with the promised blessings for those who remain His faithful servants. The prophecy then transitions to the ultimate restoration and renewal that God will bring about for His people.
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 65:6 is available in the Sola app.
c. 538 BC
Edict of Cyrus and Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great of Persia allows the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marks the beginning of the post-exilic period.
"Behold, it is written before me: “I will not keep silent, but I will repay; I will indeed repay into their lap" — God’s judgment is not a hasty reaction but a fully recorded, deliberate response. The phrase "it is written before me" signifies that every sin is meticulously documented in God's presence, ensuring…
