Isaiah 59:17

“And he put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; and he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as in a robe.”
Isaiah 59:17 · direct translation from the Hebrew

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With the Hebrew beneath

And he put onוַיִּלְבַּשׁrighteousnessצְדָקָהlike a breastplate,כַּשִּׁרְיָןand a helmetוְכוֹבַעof salvationיְשׁוּעָהon his head;בְּרֹאשׁוֹand he put onוַיִּלְבַּשׁgarmentsבִּגְדֵיof vengeanceנָקָםfor clothing,תִּלְבֹּשֶׁתand wrapped himselfוַיַּעַטin zealקִנְאָהas in a robe.כַּמְעִיל

Allusion · Ephesians 6:17

Go to Ephesians 6:17

Both texts name the helmet of salvation; in Isaiah 59:17 it is YHWH who puts it on.

They share words that are rare in the original, without a quotation.

כוֹבַעjovaH3553περικεφαλαίανperikephalaianG4030“helmet”
יְשׁוּעָהyeshuaH3444σωτηρίουsōtēriouG4992“salvation”

Allusion · 1 Thessalonians 5:8

Go to 1 Thessalonians 5:8

Both texts speak of putting on the breastplate and the helmet of salvation; in Isaiah 59:17 it is YHWH who puts them on.

They share words that are rare in the original, without a quotation.

יִּלְבַּשׁyilbashH3847ἐνδυσάμενοιendysamenoiG1746“clothe, clothe oneself”
שִּׁרְיָןshiryanH8302θώρακαthōrakaG2382“breastplate”
כוֹבַעjovaH3553περικεφαλαίανperikephalaianG4030“helmet”
יְשׁוּעָהyeshuaH3444σωτηρίαςsōtēriasG4991“salvation”

Isaiah 59:17, word by word

And he put onיִּלְבַּשׁyilbash

put on

To cover the body with clothes: to put on what one is to wear.

Where else “yilbash” appears

righteousnessצְדָקָהtsedaka

righteous deeds

Doing what is just, upright deeds.

Where else “tsedaka” appears

like a breastplateשִּׁרְיָןshiryan

coat of armor

Coat of armor: armor that protects the chest and the back.

Where else “shiryan” appears

and a helmetכוֹבַעchova

helmet

Helmet: the piece of armor that protects a warrior's head.

Where else “chova” appears

of salvationיְשׁוּעָהyeshua

salvation

Salvation: the help with which God delivers from danger; also victory. The name "Jesus" (Yeshua) comes from the same root.

Where else “yeshua” appears

on his headרֹאשׁrosh

head

The upper part of the body, where the face and hair are.

Where else “rosh” appears

garmentsבִּגְדֵיbigde

garment

A garment with which someone covers the body, or a blanket for warmth.

Where else “bigde” appears

of vengeanceנָקָםnakam

vengeance

Vengeance: the punishment that does justice for an offense.

Where else “nakam” appears

for clothingתִּלְבֹּשֶׁתtilboshet

clothing

Clothing, a garment.

Where else “tilboshet” appears

and wrapped himselfיַּעַטyaat

cover, wrap

Cover oneself, wrap oneself in a garment; cover.

Where else “yaat” appears

in zealקִנְאָהkina

zeal

Fervor to defend what one loves.

Where else “kina” appears

as in a robeמְעִילmeil

robe

Robe: a long garment without sleeves worn over the tunic.

Where else “meil” appears

Translation note

Paul uses these images in Ephesians 6:14, 17 and 1 Thessalonians 5:8.

The context

16And he saw that there was no man, and he was astonished that there was no one to intercede; so his arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness, it upheld him.

17 · This verse (above)

18According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay: fury to his adversaries, retribution to his enemies; to the coastlands he will repay retribution.

Read all of Isaiah 59

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