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Home › Berean Standard Bible  › Isaiah 59  › Isaiah 59:11

Isaiah 59:11

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Isaiah 59:11 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

We all growl like bears and moan like doves. We hope for justice, but find none, for salvation, but it is far from us.

King James Version KJV

We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.

American Standard Version ASV

We roar all like bears, and moan sore like doves: we look for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.

Bible in Basic English BBE

We make noises of grief, like bears, and sad sounds like doves: we are looking for our right, but it is not there; for salvation, but it is far from us.

Free Bible Version FBV

All of us growl like bears and coo like doves as we wait for justice to be done, but it never happens; we wait for salvation, but never receive it.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

We roare all like beares, and mourne like dooues: wee looke for equitie, but there is none: for health, but it is farre from vs.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

We make a noise as bears — all of us, And as doves we coo sorely; We wait for judgment, and there is none, For salvation — it hath been far from us.

World English Bible WEB

We all roar like bears and moan sadly like doves. We look for justice, but there is none, for salvation, but it is far off from us.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

We all roar like bears, and mourn bitterly like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

We shall roar all of us like bears, and shall lament as mournful doves. We have looked for judgment, and there is none: for salvation, and it is far from us.

Translation for Translators T4T

We growl like [SIM] hungry bears; we continually moan like [SIM] doves. We seek people who do what is just/fair, but we cannot find any anywhere. We want God to rescue us, but it seems that he is far away.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 59:11

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Isaiah 59:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB נֶהֱמֶ֤ה כַ/דֻּבִּים֙ כֻּלָּ֔/נוּ וְ/כַ/יּוֹנִ֖ים הָגֹ֣ה נֶהְגֶּ֑ה נְקַוֶּ֤ה לַ/מִּשְׁפָּט֙ וָ/אַ֔יִן לִֽ/ישׁוּעָ֖ה רָחֲקָ֥ה מִמֶּֽ/נּוּ
נֶהֱמֶ֤ה hâmâh H1993 to roar V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
כַ/דֻּבִּים֙ dôb H1677 bear Prep | N-mp
כֻּלָּ֔/נוּ kôl H3605 all N-ms | Suff
וְ/כַ/יּוֹנִ֖ים yôwnâh H3123 dove Conj | Prep | N-fp
הָגֹ֣ה hâgâh H1897 to mutter V-Qal-Ptc
נֶהְגֶּ֑ה hâgâh H1897 to mutter V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
נְקַוֶּ֤ה qâvâh H6960 to await V-Piel-Imperf-1cp
לַ/מִּשְׁפָּט֙ mishpâṭ H4941 justice Prep | N-ms
וָ/אַ֔יִן ʼayin H369 nothing Conj | Part
לִֽ/ישׁוּעָ֖ה yᵉshûwʻâh H3444 salvation Prep | N-fs
רָחֲקָ֥ה râchaq H7368 to remove V-Qal-Perf-3fs
מִמֶּֽ/נּוּ min H4480 from Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 59:11

נֶהֱמֶ֤ה hâmâh H1993 "to roar" V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
To make a loud noise, like roaring or moaning, is what this Hebrew word means. It can also imply a state of turmoil or commotion, like in the book of Jeremiah where it describes a city in uproar.
Definition: 1) to murmur, growl, roar, cry aloud, mourn, rage, sound, make noise, tumult, be clamorous, be disquieted, be loud, be moved, be troubled, be in an uproar 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to growl 1a2) to murmur (fig. of a soul in prayer) 1a3) to roar 1a4) to be in a stir, be in a commotion 1a5) to be boisterous, be turbulent
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: clamorous, concourse, cry aloud, be disquieted, loud, mourn, be moved, make a noise, rage, roar, sound, be troubled, make in tumult, tumultuous, be in an uproar. See also: 1 Kings 1:41; Song of Solomon 5:4; Psalms 39:7.
כַ/דֻּבִּים֙ dôb H1677 "bear" Prep | N-mp
The bear is described in the Bible as a slow-moving animal, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:34-37 where David fights a bear. The word for bear is also used in Proverbs 28:15.
Definition: bear Aramaic equivalent: dov (דֹּב "bear" H1678)
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: bear. See also: 1 Samuel 17:34; Proverbs 28:15; Proverbs 17:12.
כֻּלָּ֔/נוּ kôl H3605 "all" N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
וְ/כַ/יּוֹנִ֖ים yôwnâh H3123 "dove" Conj | Prep | N-fp
Represents a dove, possibly due to the warmth of their mating, and is also used to describe a pigeon. This bird is often seen as a symbol of peace and gentleness in the Bible.
Definition: dove, pigeon
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: dove, pigeon. See also: Genesis 8:8; Psalms 55:7; Psalms 56:1.
הָגֹ֣ה hâgâh H1897 "to mutter" V-Qal-Ptc
To mutter or ponder, as seen in Psalm 1:2 where it means to meditate on God's law, and also in Psalm 37:35 where it describes plotting evil.
Definition: 1) to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to roar, growl, groan 1a2) to utter, speak 1a3) to meditate, devise, muse, imagine 1b) (Poal) to utter 1c) (Hiphil) to mutter
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar, [idiom] sore, speak, study, talk, utter. See also: Joshua 1:8; Proverbs 8:7; Psalms 1:2.
נֶהְגֶּ֑ה hâgâh H1897 "to mutter" V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
To mutter or ponder, as seen in Psalm 1:2 where it means to meditate on God's law, and also in Psalm 37:35 where it describes plotting evil.
Definition: 1) to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to roar, growl, groan 1a2) to utter, speak 1a3) to meditate, devise, muse, imagine 1b) (Poal) to utter 1c) (Hiphil) to mutter
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar, [idiom] sore, speak, study, talk, utter. See also: Joshua 1:8; Proverbs 8:7; Psalms 1:2.
נְקַוֶּ֤ה qâvâh H6960 "to await" V-Piel-Imperf-1cp
This Hebrew word means to collect or gather things together, and can also mean to wait patiently for something. It is used in Psalms and Proverbs to describe waiting on God.
Definition: 1) to wait, look for, hope, expect 1a) (Qal) waiting (participle) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to wait or look eagerly for 1b2) to lie in wait for 1b3) to wait for, linger for
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon). See also: Genesis 1:9; Isaiah 5:2; Psalms 25:3.
לַ/מִּשְׁפָּט֙ mishpâṭ H4941 "justice" Prep | N-ms
Mishpat means justice or judgment, and is often used to describe God's righteous judgment, as well as human laws and decisions, in books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah.
Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) judgment, justice, ordinance 1a) judgment 1a1) act of deciding a case 1a2) place, court, seat of judgment 1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges) 1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment) 1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment) 1a6) execution (of judgment) 1a7) time (of judgment) 1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man) 1c) ordinance 1d) decision (in law) 1e) right, privilege, due (legal) 1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
Usage: Occurs in 406 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. See also: Genesis 18:19; 1 Kings 2:3; Psalms 1:5.
וָ/אַ֔יִן ʼayin H369 "nothing" Conj | Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
לִֽ/ישׁוּעָ֖ה yᵉshûwʻâh H3444 "salvation" Prep | N-fs
Salvation means being saved or delivered from something, like trouble or danger, and can also mean victory or prosperity, as seen in the Bible's promises of God's deliverance.
Definition: 1) salvation, deliverance 1a) welfare, prosperity 1b) deliverance 1c) salvation (by God) 1d) victory
Usage: Occurs in 76 OT verses. KJV: deliverance, health, help(-ing), salvation, save, saving (health), welfare. See also: Genesis 49:18; Psalms 80:3; Psalms 3:3.
רָחֲקָ֥ה râchaq H7368 "to remove" V-Qal-Perf-3fs
To remove or go far away, as in Genesis 21:16 where Hagar is sent away by Abraham. It means to create distance or separate oneself from something or someone.
Definition: v 1) to be or become far, be or become distant, be removed, go far away 1a) (Qal) to be far, be distant 1b) (Piel) to send far away, extend 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make or exhibit distance, be gone far 1c2) to remove, put far away 2) (Niphal) loose v inf (as adv) 3) at a distance
Usage: Occurs in 56 OT verses. KJV: (a-, be, cast, drive, get, go, keep (self), put, remove, be too, (wander), withdraw) far (away, off), loose, [idiom] refrain, very, (be) a good way (off). See also: Genesis 21:16; Psalms 119:150; Psalms 22:12.
מִמֶּֽ/נּוּ min H4480 "from" Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.

Study Notes — Isaiah 59:11

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Isaiah 38:14 I chirp like a swallow or crane; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weak as I look upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my security.”
2 Ezekiel 7:16 The survivors will escape and live in the mountains, moaning like doves of the valley, each for his own iniquity.
3 Jeremiah 9:1 Oh, that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night over the slain daughter of my people.
4 Psalms 32:3–4 When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was drained as in the summer heat. Selah
5 Hosea 7:14 They do not cry out to Me from their hearts when they wail upon their beds. They slash themselves for grain and new wine, but turn away from Me.
6 Psalms 119:155 Salvation is far from the wicked because they do not seek Your statutes.
7 Isaiah 59:9 Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We hope for light, but there is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in gloom.
8 Isaiah 51:20 Your sons have fainted; they lie at the head of every street, like an antelope in a net. They are full of the wrath of the LORD, the rebuke of your God.
9 Psalms 38:8 I am numb and badly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.
10 Psalms 85:9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land.

Isaiah 59:11 Summary

Isaiah 59:11 describes a time when God's people are feeling hopeless and desperate, like animals in distress. They are longing for justice and salvation, but it seems far away. This is because of their own sins and rebellion against God, as seen in the surrounding verses. Just like the people in this verse, we can turn to God for comfort and salvation, and trust in His promises, as seen in verses like Psalm 34:18 and Romans 5:8, which remind us that God is near to the brokenhearted and that He loves us even in our sin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to growl like bears and moan like doves in Isaiah 59:11?

This phrase is a metaphor describing the distress and desperation of God's people as they long for justice and salvation, but find none, much like the emotional expressions of these animals, as seen in other scriptures like Psalm 38:8 where the psalmist describes his own emotional pain.

Why do the people hope for justice but find none in Isaiah 59:11?

The people hope for justice but find none because of their own sins and rebellion against God, as stated in Isaiah 59:12-13, which is a common theme throughout the Bible, such as in Isaiah 1:4 where God laments the sinful state of His people.

How does this verse relate to the idea of salvation in the Bible?

This verse highlights the idea that true salvation can only come from God, and that without Him, it is far from us, as seen in other verses like Romans 3:23-24 which describe our need for salvation through Jesus Christ.

What is the significance of the phrase 'we all' in Isaiah 59:11?

The phrase 'we all' emphasizes the collective guilt and responsibility of God's people, as seen in verses like Isaiah 59:12-13, and underscores the universal need for salvation and justice, as described in verses like Romans 5:12-19.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways in which I, like the people in Isaiah 59:11, may be 'growling like bears' or 'moaning like doves' in my own life, and how can I turn to God for comfort and salvation?
  2. In what ways do I hope for justice or salvation in my life, and how can I align my hopes with God's plans and promises, as seen in verses like Jeremiah 29:11?
  3. How can I, like the people in Isaiah 59:11, acknowledge my own sins and rebellion against God, and turn to Him for forgiveness and restoration, as described in verses like 1 John 1:9?
  4. What does it mean to truly 'hope for justice' and 'find salvation' in my life, and how can I cultivate a deeper understanding of these concepts, as seen in verses like Psalm 37:7-9?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 59:11

We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves,.... Some in a more noisy and clamorous, others in a stiller way, yet all in private: for the bear, when robbed of its whelps, goes to its den and

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 59:11

We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us. We roar all like bears - We moan plaintively, like a hungry bear which growls for food.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 59:11

We roar: this signifies the greatness of their anguish, that forced from them these loud outcries. And mourn: this notes some sense of their condition, that wrought in them these sorrowful lamentations; or it may relate to the condition that both sorts of people were in under their oppressing governors. It made the wicked roar like bears, and the godly mourn like doves. It is thus expressed because these properties are peculiar to these creatures. The bear, when robbed, goes into his den and roars; the dove, when absent from her mate, sits solitary and mourns. For salvation, but it is far off from us: see the exposition of this last part of the verse .

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 59:11

Isaiah 59:11 We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but [there is] none; for salvation, [but] it is far off from us.Ver. 11. We roar all like bears.] Fremimus, ac gemimus. The bear, when hurt or robbed, runs into his den and roareth; doves, when bereft of their mates, sit solitary and groan; so do we, indesinenter et intime gemimus, make pitiful moan; and that is all we can do.

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 59:11

(11) We roar all like bears . . .—The comparison is not found elsewhere in Scripture, but Horace (Epp. xvi. 51) gives “circumgemit ursus ovile.” For the dove, comp. Isaiah 38:14; Ezekiel 7:16.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 59:11

Verse 11. But it is far off from us - "And it is far distant from us."] The conjunction ו vau must necessarily be prefixed to the verb, as the Syriac, Chaldee, and Vulgate found it in their copies; ורחקה verachakah, "and far off."

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 59:11

11. We roar (better groan) all like bears] Comp. (with Gesenius) Horace, Epod. 16. 51: “Nec vespertinus circumgemit ursus ovile.” The comparison would no doubt gain in force if we could suppose, as Duhm hesitatingly suggests, that captive animals, pining for liberty, are meant. But this is not indicated. On the “mourning” of the dove, cf. ch. Isaiah 38:14; Ezekiel 7:16; Nahum 2:7; and see Davidson’s Ezekiel (Cambridge Bible), p. 49. we look for judgment, &c.] returning to the thought of Isa 59:9. 12–15a. Confession of the sins previously denounced, the prophet speaking in the name of the people.

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 59:11

We roar all like bears - This is designed still further to describe the heavy judgments which had come upon them for their sins.

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 59:11

10, 11. We grope for the wall — Like the blind we feel our way.

Sermons on Isaiah 59:11

SermonDescription
Thomas Bradbury Soul Trouble by Thomas Bradbury Thomas Bradbury preaches on the spiritual instruction found in John 12:27, where Jesus expresses His soul's trouble and submission to the Father's will. Bradbury emphasizes the dee
Edward Payson The Oppressed Soul Seeking Divine Interposition. by Edward Payson Edward Payson preaches about the need for someone to undertake for us in various aspects of life, including supporting and comforting us through trials, guiding us, assisting in ov
J.C. Philpot The Sick Man's Prayer and the Sinner's Cry by J.C. Philpot J.C. Philpot preaches on the deep reliance of God's people on Him alone for help and deliverance, emphasizing the need for a spiritual understanding of the malady of sin, the knowl
K.P. Yohannan His and His Alone by K.P. Yohannan In this sermon, the speaker addresses various topics such as the influence of media, the importance of reading the New Testament, and the power of one individual to make a differen
Leonard Ravenhill Jeremiah by Leonard Ravenhill In this sermon, the preacher discusses the prophecy of a nation being put into bondage for seventy years and then returning. He emphasizes that despite the despairing pictures, the
Michael Youssef The Power of Weeping by Michael Youssef In this sermon, the speaker expresses deep concern and lament over the current condition of the Church of Jesus Christ. He urges the audience not to dismiss his words as judgmental
A.W. Tozer Importance of Right Spiritual Climate by A.W. Tozer In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of being captive to various things in life. He shares a personal story about feeling captive to the responsibility of raising his
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