Isaiah 59:20

My Notes

What Does Isaiah 59:20 Mean?

Isaiah 59:20 announces the coming of a Redeemer to Zion — and specifies who receives Him: those who turn from transgression. "The Redeemer shall come to Zion" — the Hebrew go'el (Redeemer, kinsman-redeemer) is the family rescuer, the one who pays the price to buy back what was lost. He comes to Zion — to Jerusalem, to God's chosen people, to the place God set His name.

"And unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob" — the Hebrew leshavey pesha beYa'aqov means to those who turn back from rebellion within Jacob (Israel). The Redeemer doesn't come to the whole nation indiscriminately. He comes to the turners — the ones within Israel who repent. The arrival is universal in scope (the Redeemer comes to Zion) but particular in reception (only the repentant receive Him). The offer is for everyone. The experience is for the turning.

Paul quotes this verse in Romans 11:26: "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob." Paul adjusts the phrasing slightly — the Deliverer turns ungodliness away rather than the people turning from transgression — shifting the agency from human repentance to divine deliverance. The Redeemer doesn't just come to the turners. He produces the turning. He comes to Zion and turns people from their rebellion by the force of His own presence.

Reflection Questions

• 1.The Redeemer comes to those who 'turn from transgression.' Where do you need to turn — not just feel bad about sin, but actually change direction?
• 2.Paul says the Deliverer produces the turning, not just rewards it. How does knowing that repentance is enabled by grace rather than prerequisite to it change how you approach God?
• 3.The offer is universal (He comes to Zion) but the reception is particular (the turners). What's the difference between being in the community where God is present and actually receiving what He offers?
• 4.The Redeemer is a go'el — a kinsman who pays the price. How does the relational, familial nature of redemption differ from a transactional view of salvation?

Devotional

The Redeemer comes. That's the promise — straightforward, unqualified. He comes to Zion. To His people. To the place where His name dwells. But the verse adds a precision that matters: He comes to those who turn from transgression. The Redeemer isn't a blanket deliverance regardless of posture. He's a Person who meets repentance. He comes to the city. He receives the turners.

The tension between the universal offer and the particular reception is the story of every human interaction with God's grace. The Redeemer comes to Zion — the door is open to the whole community. But within that community, the ones who experience His redemption are the ones who turn. Not the ones who perform. Not the ones who maintain religious appearances. The ones who actually change direction. Who face their transgression honestly, name it, and walk the other way.

Paul's reading of this verse in Romans 11 adds a layer that should melt you: the Deliverer doesn't just come to people who've already turned. He turns them. He comes and produces the repentance. The turning you need to do? The Redeemer enables it. You're not mustering the strength to turn and then hoping He shows up. He arrives, and the turning happens because He's there. Grace isn't the reward for repentance. Grace is the cause of it. The Redeemer comes, and in His presence, transgression loses its grip.

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture