Isaiah 57:19 Meaning: God Creates Peace for Far and Near
I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near,” says Yahweh; “and I will heal them.”
I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him.
I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to him that is far off and to him that is near, saith Jehovah; and I will heal him.
Producing the fruit of the lips, `Peace, peace,' to the far off, and to the near, And I have healed him, said Jehovah.
I create the fruit of the lips: peace, peace to him [that is] afar off, and to him [that is] nigh, saith Jehovah; and I will heal him.
Meaning in one sentence
Isaiah 57:19 promises peace to those far and near, God creates praise and heals both. Learn the meaning of 'fruit of the lips' and who receives shalom.
Context
Isaiah 57 sits in a section of the book where God confronts His people’s rebellion, yet also holds out hope for restoration. Earlier in the chapter, the Lord describes anger over persistent sin (v.17), but immediately after, He promises to heal and lead those who turn back (v.18). Verse 19 is the climax: God Himself creates the reason for praise, peace, and offers it to everyone, whether they are scattered far from home or already living near the sanctuary. The next two verses draw a stark contrast: the wicked, who refuse to return, find no peace at all. So this verse is the hinge between judgment and mercy, the open door for anyone who will come.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words carry the weight of this verse. First, create (bara’) is the same verb used in Genesis 1:1. This is not a small act. When God says “I create the fruit of the lips,” He is producing something only He can bring into being, praise out of a healed heart.
The word peace (shalom) means far more than a ceasefire. It carries completeness, health, wholeness, and right relationship. Doubling it, peace, peace, is Hebrew idiom for certainty and abundance. This is a whole, lasting restoration.
Finally, heal (rapha) is the same root used for God as the healer of broken bodies, broken relationships, and broken nations. Here He heals the person collectively: the one who was far and the one who was near. The promise is personal and thorough.
How Christians Read This Verse
Jewish commentators like Rabbi David Kimchi understood the “far off” as exiled Jews and the “near” as those already returned to Jerusalem. God’s peace would reach both groups, reuniting the scattered nation.
Christian readers from the early church onward have seen a wider circle here. The apostle Paul directly applies these words to Jews and Gentiles in Ephesians 2:17, those far off are the nations previously excluded from God’s covenant; those near are Israel. Both receive the same peace, through the same Messiah. Both traditions agree: the peace God creates is not limited by geography or ancestry.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading treats “I create the fruit of the lips” as if God simply gives people the ability to speak. In fact, the phrase is a Hebrew idiom for praise and thanksgiving (see Hosea 14:2, Hebrews 13:15). God creates the substance of praise, peace and healing, so that genuine thanksgiving springs forth naturally from a restored soul. The emphasis is not on the sound of the words, but on what God does to make praise real.
Living This Out
This week, you may feel either close to God or far from Him. The verse says both can receive the same peace. It also reminds you that your praise is not something you have to manufacture. God gives you real reasons for it, things He has already done and is doing.
If distance describes a relationship in your life, consider that peace can begin with you. God speaks peace first, before we have anything to say. You can be the one who speaks it into a situation, trusting that He heals what we cannot fix.
Main takeaway: God creates the words of peace that heal every distance, between us and Him, and between one another.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God makes the words we say to thank Him. He says “peace, peace” to everyone, even people far away. He heals us, and then we can praise Him.
For ages 9, 12
This verse shows that God is the one who gives us a reason to praise. He creates peace in our hearts and in our relationships. “Far off” and “near” might mean people who feel close to God and people who feel far away. Either way, God speaks peace and heals us. When you feel distant, remember God has already said “peace” to you.
Questions People Ask
What does “fruit of the lips” mean in Isaiah 57:19?
It is a Hebrew way of describing praise and thanksgiving. Like a tree produces fruit, our lips produce words of gratitude when God gives us reason to be thankful. God “creates” that fruit by providing peace and healing, so praise flows naturally from a restored heart.
Who are the “far off” and the “near” in this verse?
The original context likely referred to Jews scattered in exile (far off) and those living near Jerusalem (near). Many Christian readers also see a prophecy of Gentiles (far off) and Jews (near) being brought together in Christ, as Paul explains in Ephesians 2:17. Either way, God’s peace is for everyone, regardless of distance.
Why is “peace” said twice: “Peace, peace”?
In Hebrew, repetition emphasizes certainty and fullness. It is like saying “complete peace” or “perfect peace.” God is promising a deep, lasting wholeness, not just a temporary calm.
How does this verse connect to Jesus?
Jesus is called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Through His death and resurrection, He made peace between God and humanity, and between Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians 2:14-17). The peace Isaiah promised finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who heals our deepest separation from God.
Does God give peace to everyone, even the wicked?
Verses 20-21 immediately following this passage say that the wicked have no peace. The peace God creates is for those who turn to Him, whether near or far. It is offered freely, but those who persist in rebellion cannot receive it.
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