Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version We all growl like bears; we moan mournfully like doves. We look for justice, but find none; for deliverance, but it is far away. New Living Translation We growl like hungry bears; we moan like mournful doves. We look for justice, but it never comes. We look for rescue, but it is far away from us. English Standard Version We all growl like bears; we moan and moan like doves; we hope for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us. Berean Standard Bible 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 Bible 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. New King James Version We all growl like bears, And moan sadly like doves; We look for justice, but there is none; For salvation, but it is far from us. New American Standard Bible All of us growl like bears, And moan sadly like doves; We hope for justice, but there is none; For salvation, but it is far from us. NASB 1995 All of us growl like bears, And moan sadly like doves; We hope for justice, but there is none, For salvation, but it is far from us. NASB 1977 All of us growl like bears, And moan sadly like doves; We hope for justice, but there is none, For salvation, but it is far from us. Legacy Standard Bible All of us growl like bears, And moan sadly like doves; We hope for justice, but there is none, For salvation, but it is far from us. Amplified Bible We all groan and growl like bears, And coo sadly like doves; We hope for justice, but there is none, For salvation, but it is far from us. Christian Standard Bible We all growl like bears and moan like doves. We hope for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us. Holman Christian Standard Bible We all growl like bears and moan like doves. We hope for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us. American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version We growl like bears and mourn like doves. We hope for justice and victory, but they escape us. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation We all growl like bears. We coo like doves. We hope for justice, but there is none. We hope for salvation, but it's far from us. Good News Translation We are frightened and distressed. We long for God to save us from oppression and wrong, but nothing happens. International Standard Version We all growl like bears; we sigh mournfully like doves. We look for justice, but there is none, and for deliverance, but it's far from us. NET Bible We all growl like bears, we coo mournfully like doves; we wait for deliverance, but there is none, for salvation, but it is far from us. New Heart English Bible We roar all like bears, and moan bitterly like doves: we look for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us. Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWe all growl like bears and moan like doves. We hope for justice, but find none, for salvation, but it is far from us. World English Bible 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. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWe make a noise as bears—all of us, "" And we coo severely as doves; We wait for judgment, and there is none, "" For salvation—it has been far from us. Young's Literal Translation 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. Smith's Literal Translation We shall growl as bears all of us, and murmuring we shall murmur as doves: we shall wait for judgment, and none; for salvation, it was far from us. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWe 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. Catholic Public Domain Version We will all roar like bears, and we will sigh like despondent doves. We hoped for judgment, and there is none; for salvation, and it is far from us. New American Bible Like bears we all growl, like doves we moan without ceasing. We cry out for justice, but it is not there; for salvation, but it is far from us. New Revised Standard Version We all growl like bears; like doves we moan mournfully. We wait for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWe all roar like bears, and mourn sore like doves; we look for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated We roar, all of us, like bears, and we moan like doves. We wait for justice, and there is none, and for redemption, and it is far from us OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917We all growl like bears, And mourn sore like doves; We look for right, but there is none; For salvation, but it is far off from us. Brenton Septuagint Translation They shall proceed together as a bear and as a dove: we have waited for judgment, and there is no salvation, it is gone far from us. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Sin Separates Us from God…10Like the blind, we feel our way along the wall, groping like those without eyes. We stumble at midday as in the twilight; among the vigorous we are like the dead. 11We all growl like bears and moan like doves. We hope for justice, but find none, for salvation, but it is far from us. 12For our transgressions are multiplied before You, and our sins testify against us. Our transgressions are indeed with us, and we know our iniquities:… Cross References Romans 8:22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. Lamentations 3:8 Even when I cry out and plead for help, He shuts out my prayer. Job 30:29 I have become a brother of jackals, a companion of ostriches. Micah 7:9 Because I have sinned against Him, I must endure the rage of the LORD, until He argues my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me into the light; I will see His righteousness. Psalm 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 Jeremiah 14:19 Have You rejected Judah completely? Do You despise Zion? Why have You stricken us so that we are beyond healing? We hoped for peace, but no good has come, and for the time of healing, but there was only terror. Habakkuk 1:2 How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear, or cry out to You, “Violence!” but You do not save? Romans 7:24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Psalm 38:8 I am numb and badly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart. Job 19:7 Though I cry out, ‘Violence!’ I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice. Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Psalm 22:1-2 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning? / I cry out by day, O my God, but You do not answer, and by night, but I have no rest. 2 Corinthians 5:2 For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, Psalm 55:17 Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice. Ezekiel 7:16 The survivors will escape and live in the mountains, moaning like doves of the valley, each for his own iniquity. Treasury of Scripture 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. roar Isaiah 51:20 Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God. Psalm 32:3,4 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long… Psalm 38:8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart. mourn Isaiah 38:14 Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me. Job 30:28,29 I went mourning without the sun: I stood up, and I cried in the congregation… Jeremiah 8:15 We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble! for salvation Psalm 85:9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. Psalm 119:155 Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes. Jump to Previous Bears Bitterly Deliverance Doves Far Find Grief Grievously Growl Hope Judgment Justice Moan Mourn Mournfully Noise Noises Right Roar Sad Sadly Salvation Sore Sorely Sounds WaitJump to Next Bears Bitterly Deliverance Doves Far Find Grief Grievously Growl Hope Judgment Justice Moan Mourn Mournfully Noise Noises Right Roar Sad Sadly Salvation Sore Sorely Sounds WaitIsaiah 59 1. Calamities are not due to lack of saving power in God, but to their own sins16. Salvation is only of God 20. The covenant of the Redeemer We all growl like bears and moan like doves. This phrase captures the deep anguish and frustration of the people. The imagery of bears growling suggests a sense of anger and restlessness, while the moaning of doves conveys sorrow and lamentation. In the biblical context, bears are often associated with ferocity and strength (2 Kings 2:24), while doves symbolize peace and innocence (Matthew 10:16). The juxtaposition of these animals highlights the internal conflict and despair of the Israelites. Historically, this period was marked by social injustice and spiritual decline, leading to a collective cry for deliverance. The use of animal imagery is common in prophetic literature to convey emotional states and societal conditions. We hope for justice, but find none, for salvation, but it is far from us. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Judah during a time of moral and spiritual decline. 2. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, which was often the focus of Isaiah's prophecies. The people of Judah were experiencing social injustice and spiritual waywardness. 3. Bears and Doves Metaphorical animals used in this verse to describe the emotional state of the people. Bears represent anger and frustration, while doves symbolize sorrow and lamentation. 4. Justice and Salvation Central themes in this passage, representing the people's unmet desires for righteousness and deliverance. 5. The Lord Although not directly mentioned in this verse, God is the ultimate source of justice and salvation, which the people are seeking. Teaching Points The Reality of Unmet ExpectationsThe people of Judah were experiencing a disconnect between their expectations for justice and salvation and their reality. This serves as a reminder to examine our own lives for areas where we may be seeking fulfillment outside of God's will. The Consequences of Sin The absence of justice and salvation is often a result of sin and disobedience. This passage calls us to reflect on our own lives and repent where necessary. The Importance of Lament The imagery of growling and moaning highlights the importance of expressing our grief and frustrations to God. Lament is a biblical way to process pain and seek God's intervention. Hope in God's Promises Despite the current lack of justice and salvation, believers are encouraged to hold onto the hope of God's promises, trusting that He will ultimately bring about His righteous plan. Active Pursuit of Justice While waiting for God's ultimate justice, we are called to actively pursue justice in our own communities, reflecting God's character in our actions. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 59:11?2. How does Isaiah 59:11 describe the consequences of sin in our lives? 3. What parallels exist between Isaiah 59:11 and Romans 3:23 regarding sin's impact? 4. How can we seek God's justice as described in Isaiah 59:11? 5. In what ways can Isaiah 59:11 inspire repentance and spiritual renewal today? 6. How does Isaiah 59:11 encourage us to trust in God's deliverance? 7. What does Isaiah 59:11 reveal about the nature of sin and its consequences? 8. How does Isaiah 59:11 reflect the spiritual state of Israel at the time? 9. Why does Isaiah use imagery of growling bears and mourning doves in 59:11? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 59? 11. Does God love those in hell? 12. What is considered the worst sin? 13. What does the Bible say about good works and salvation? 14. Why does Isaiah 42:4 seem to contradict later passages that depict the Messiah as suffering and dying (e.g., Isaiah 53)? What Does Isaiah 59:11 Mean We all growl like bears• Isaiah pictures the whole community united in a restless, almost threatening frustration—like a bear pacing and growling when robbed of food (see Proverbs 28:15; Hosea 13:8). • The verb “growl” conveys more than complaint; it is a raw vocal protest against the misery caused by their own sin (context: Isaiah 59:2–4). • The phrase reminds us that sin never stays private; it spreads until an entire society sounds like an agitated animal in need of relief (compare Romans 8:22, where creation itself “groans”). and moan like doves • In contrast to the bear-like growl, the dove’s moan is soft, weary grief (Isaiah 38:14; Ezekiel 7:16). • Together the two images cover the range of human reaction: loud anger and quiet sorrow. Both flow from the same root problem—alienation from God. • The dove’s plaintive coo underscores helplessness; the people sense that no human scheme will rescue them (Psalm 55:6–8). We hope for justice • “Justice” (mishpat) in Isaiah is the right ordering of life under God’s law (Isaiah 1:17; Micah 6:8). • Even a rebellious nation still longs for things to be set right. Conscience testifies that God’s design is good (Romans 2:15). • Hope itself is not wrong; Scripture commends it (Psalm 130:5). The tragedy here is misplaced confidence—expecting justice while refusing the Just One. but find none • Their search is futile because sin blocks the pathway (Isaiah 59:9–10; Amos 5:24–27). • God has not failed; rather, iniquity has erected a barrier (Isaiah 59:2). • The discovery that “none” exists leads to despair, yet it also prepares the heart for divine intervention (Isaiah 59:16). for salvation • The word points to deliverance in every sense—spiritual, social, political (Psalm 27:1; Isaiah 45:17). • They know only God can save; history had shown this from the exodus onward (Exodus 14:13). • Their cry anticipates the later revelation that the Messiah Himself would embody salvation (Isaiah 49:6; Luke 2:30–32). but it is far from us • Distance language highlights separation: God is near the humble but far from the unrepentant (Psalm 138:6; James 4:8). • The people admit the gap; confession begins to surface (Isaiah 59:12–13). • Although salvation feels remote, God promises to draw near, culminating in the Redeemer who comes to Zion (Isaiah 59:20; Ephesians 2:13). summary The verse paints a vivid portrait of a society crushed by its own rebellion: roaring in anger, sighing in grief, yearning for justice and rescue, yet finding nothing because sin has pushed salvation out of reach. The honesty of their lament prepares the way for God’s gracious response later in the chapter, where He Himself steps in to accomplish the justice and salvation His people could never secure on their own. (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.Verse 11. - We roar all like bears; rather, we growl. The verb is used commonly of the "roaring" of the sea (Isaiah 17:12; Isaiah 51:15; Jeremiah 6:23; 31:45; 50:42; 51:55); but is applied also to the noise made by a dog (Psalm 59:6, 14). Here it represents the deep murmur of discontent, which alternates with the mournful tones of Israel's despondency - the latter being compared to the melancholy cooing of the dove (see ch. 38:14). We look for judgment, but there is none, etc. The same complaint as in ver. 9, clause 1.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew We allכֻּלָּ֔נוּ (kul·lā·nū) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every growl נֶהֱמֶ֤ה (ne·hĕ·meh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural Strong's 1993: To make a, loud sound, commotion, tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor like bears כַדֻּבִּים֙ (ḵad·dub·bîm) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1677: The bear and moan הָגֹ֣ה (hā·ḡōh) Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute Strong's 1897: To moan, growl, utter, speak, muse like doves. וְכַיּוֹנִ֖ים (wə·ḵay·yō·w·nîm) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 3123: A dove We hope נְקַוֶּ֤ה (nə·qaw·weh) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common plural Strong's 6960: To bind together, collect, to expect for justice, לַמִּשְׁפָּט֙ (lam·miš·pāṭ) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style but [find] none, וָאַ֔יִן (wā·’a·yin) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle for salvation, לִֽישׁוּעָ֖ה (lî·šū·‘āh) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3444: Something saved, deliverance, aid, victory, prosperity but it is far רָחֲקָ֥ה (rā·ḥă·qāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 7368: To be or become far or distant from us. מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃ (mim·men·nū) Preposition | first person common plural Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of Links Isaiah 59:11 NIVIsaiah 59:11 NLT Isaiah 59:11 ESV Isaiah 59:11 NASB Isaiah 59:11 KJV Isaiah 59:11 BibleApps.com Isaiah 59:11 Biblia Paralela Isaiah 59:11 Chinese Bible Isaiah 59:11 French Bible Isaiah 59:11 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Isaiah 59:11 We roar all like bears and moan (Isa Isi Is) |
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