Isaiah 64:7 Meaning and Explanation
“And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →No one calls on You or stirs himself to cling to You, for You have hidden Your face and consumed us because of our sins.
The Context of Isaiah 64:7
The prayer descends into the experience of divine judgment and abandonment, yet continues in faith.
What Does Isaiah 64:7 Mean?
The prayer moves toward the abyss. Not only are we sinful; we have also lost the strength to reach for God. The apathy matches the judgment. God has hidden His face. In biblical understanding, the hiddenness of God is itself a form of judgment. When we are left to ourselves, when His presence seems withdrawn, we are consumed. We waste away. And the prayer does not blame God for being arbitrary; it traces the hiddenness to their own iniquities. They have reaped what they sowed. Yet still they cry out. Still they believe that God hears.
In the darkest hour of the Incarnation, Christ prays, 'My God, why have You forsaken me?' He enters the experience of divine hiddenness fully. But His question is also the door to the other side. Not every cry into the darkness receives silence. The risen Christ, appearing to the disciples, shows that the face of God has not remained hidden forever. The hiding was judgment borne; now it lifts.
Isaiah 64:7 in the Original Language
Kalah (Hebrew), 'to finish, consume, waste away' - the same root as 'perfect' or 'complete,' here suggesting total depletion.
How to Apply Isaiah 64:7 Today
There are seasons when God feels hidden, when we lack the strength to reach for Him. The prayer teaches us that even then, we can speak the truth of our condition. That truth, honestly named, is itself a form of prayer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 64:7
What does Isaiah 64:7 mean?
No one calls on You or stirs himself to cling to You, for You have hidden Your face and consumed us because of our sins.
What is the context of Isaiah 64:7?
The prayer descends into the experience of divine judgment and abandonment, yet continues in faith.
How can I apply Isaiah 64:7 today?
There are seasons when God feels hidden, when we lack the strength to reach for Him. The prayer teaches us that even then, we can speak the truth of our condition. That truth, honestly named, is itself a form of prayer.