Bible Strands
Isaiah 59:1
Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The prophet delivers Yahweh’s declaration to a community doubting divine responsiveness. The statement immediately precedes the explanation that their own iniquities and sins have constructed the separation.
The words — The Hebrew קָצְרָה (ka.tze.Rah) literally renders "it is short," paired with כָבְדָה (kha.ve.Dah) meaning "it is heavy." These terms ground the metaphor in physical limitation rather than divine reluctance.
The thread — The same idiom appears in Numbers 11:23 and Isaiah 50:2, where the text questions whether divine power is limited. Jeremiah 32:17 parallels the theme by affirming God’s outstretched arm and declaring that nothing is too difficult for Him.
Why it lands — The verse states that God’s capacity to save and hear is not restricted by physical or moral constraints. It requires the reader to separate perceived divine silence from actual divine inability.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 32:17 “Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!
- Isaiah 50:2 Why was no one there when I arrived? Why did no one answer when I called? Is My hand too short to redeem you? Or do I lack the strength to deliver you? Behold, My rebuke dries up the sea; I turn the rivers into a desert; the fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.
- Numbers 11:23 The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not My word will come to pass.”
- Isaiah 65:24 Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear.
- Genesis 18:14 Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”
- Isaiah 58:9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry out, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and malicious talk,
- Matthew 13:15 For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’
- Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
- Isaiah 6:10 Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”
- Isaiah 63:1 Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.”