Isaiah 55
Chapter Overview
Verses 1-2 Come to the LORD and be fed
Verses 3-5 Everlasting covenant with David
Verses 6-7 Turn to the LORD
Verses 8-9 Our thoughts are not God's thoughts
Verses 10-11 God's words prosper and fulfill their purpose.
Verses 12-13 Israel will be led back to the Lord
1 Attention, all who thirst; come for water!
You who have no money,
come and buy food, that you may eat.
Come, buy wine and milk
with no money and at no cost.
“Come,
ה֤וֹי (hō·w)
Interjection
Strong's 1945: Ah! alas! ha!
all of you
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every
who thirst,
צָמֵא֙ (ṣā·mê)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6771: Thirsty
come
לְכ֣וּ (lə·ḵū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk
to the waters;
לַמַּ֔יִם (lam·ma·yim)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen
and you
וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר (wa·’ă·šer)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that
without
אֵֽין־ (’ên-)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle
money,
כָּ֑סֶף (kā·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money
come,
לְכ֤וּ (lə·ḵū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk
buy,
שִׁבְרוּ֙ (šiḇ·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7666: To deal in grain
and eat!
וֶֽאֱכֹ֔לוּ (we·’ĕ·ḵō·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 398: To eat
Come,
וּלְכ֣וּ (ū·lə·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk
buy
שִׁבְר֗וּ (šiḇ·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7666: To deal in grain
wine
יַ֥יִן (ya·yin)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication
and milk,
וְחָלָֽב׃ (wə·ḥā·lāḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2461: Milk
without
בְּלוֹא־ (bə·lō·w-)
Preposition-b | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no
money
כֶ֛סֶף (ḵe·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money
and without
וּבְל֥וֹא (ū·ḇə·lō·w)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no
cost!
מְחִ֖יר (mə·ḥîr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4242: Price, payment, wages
KJV Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
NIV “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
BSB “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!
NASB “Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost.
BST Ye that thirst, go to the water, and all that have no money, go and buy; and eat and drink wine and fat without money or price.
Come all of you who thirst, come to the waters:
This chapter begins with an invitation to come.
Thirst in Isaiah represents a spiritual condition. However, it seems physical too, as we may see cataclysmic events for the LORD to prepare the way for his people (Isaiah 52:2), and it seems that purposely the LORD removed the aids of the people such as bread and water (Isaiah 3:1-2), which was a consequence of the spiritual condition of his people, who became like a garden with no water (Isaiah 1:30).
Then the spiritual condition of thirst was a catalyst for the physical lack of water due to the cataclysmic events, to turn back the people to the LORD. And as we see in Isaiah, both the spiritual and physical come together.
Thirst in Isaiah is a prominent spiritual condition (Isaiah 29:8). It is tied to the lack of the Spirit of the LORD (Isaiah 44:3). The drink of the thirst failed because of those who practice hypocrisy (Isaiah 32:6). And when the poor and needy, which are keywords for the house of Israel, seek water, there is none (Isaiah 41:17). This tells us that some had the responsibility to administer water. Still, they failed in that task, and the poor and needy, faileth for thirst.
The LORD reverses this by redeeming Zion and Jerusalem (Isaiah 52:9), his servant becomes like a river of water in a dried place (Isaiah 32:2), to those come first (firstfruits Isaiah 37:31), their place becomes a pool (Isaiah 35:33) which parallels "the way of holiness" (Isaiah 35:34). The Lord's people becomes like a vineyard that the Lord waters every day (Isaiah 27:3). This waters will be "sure" waters (Isaiah 33:16), which is a reference to calling and election (2 Peter 1:10).
In the Book of Mormon, no hunger and no thirst refers to partaking in the fruit of the tree of life (Alma 32:41), an internal spiritual condition as Jesus said that from our belly shall flow rivers of living water (John 7:38). In 3 Nephi this represents the body of Christ (3 Nephi 20:8). Those who partake of it, shall never hunger nor thirst.
In the context of Isaiah 55, which follows Isaiah 54, which is about Jehovah's atonement, and Isaiah 53:13-14 to his servant who is anointed to sprinkle the nations is an invitation to the tribes of Israel, the poor of his people, the thirst and hungry to return to the LORD and come to the living waters, the stream and pool (Isaiah 35:33), and even through the journey they shall no longer thirst (Isaiah 48:20-32, 49:10).
You without money, come and buy, and eat!
The ones without money are the poor of his people who are of the house of Israel (D&C 42:39), as well as a spiritual condition (Mathew 5:3, 3 Nephi 12:3). They are invited to "come" first as in 3 Nephi 12:3: blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, then they can buy, and then they can eat, which present a sequence.
Without money is a reference to redemption done by Jehovah
3 Thus says Jehovah: You were sold without price,
and you shall be redeemed without money. (Isaiah 52:3).
In the first part of Isaiah, we see the destruction of the Babylon system, the "elite" (Isaiah 13:2), Babylon only fornicates with the "rich" (Revelation 18:3), that system had under oppression the poor, the needy, and widow (Isaiah 10:1-2), even Tyre the virtuous women (Prov 31) became a harlot who also fornicates with the Elite (Isaiah 23:8). The exchange and value is money, what the scriptures call the filthy lucre that corrupt the soul (Mosiah 29:40), which Peter warned the elder not to be the reason to feed the flock, which sadly happened.
What happened because the LORD shakes the earth is that redemption becomes available, the gates are open and have nothing to do with "money" or "price," and those who were deprived before because of a system can then come with no money, buy and eat, the LORD merchandise becomes available:
Her merchandise and hire shall be consecrated to Jehovah; it shall not be hoarded or stored up. Her commerce shall provide for those who dwell in the presence of Jehovah, that they may eat their fill and be elegantly clothed. (Isaiah 23:18)
Come buy wine and milk, without money and without cost!
The wine represents Christ's blood (3 Nephi 20:8), which is in the covenant of the father (Moroni 10:33), to have wine you need to have a vine. In the first part of Isaiah's linear structure, the vine is eaten up the vineyard:
14 The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses. (Isaiah 3:14).
Also, in Isaiah 5, the LORD's vineyard became corrupt, all fruit wild. The Lord reverses the whole thing with the destruction-recreation motif, which will include the rising of the King of Assyria and the deliverance of his people. The survivors in Zion will plant vineyards (Isaiah 37:30), the Lord will have a vineyard of red wine that he will take care of (Isaiah 27:2-3). The ones who established Zion will have a place for the poor of his people will come and buy "wine," receive the atonement, and enter into the covenant with no money but the way it was entered to, just by coming unto Christ (3 Nephi 12:3).
To have milk, you need to have cattle. In Isaiah, because of covenant curses, people will send their cattle away (Isaiah 7:25), but for those who leave their idolatry, their cattle will find large pastures which hath been winnowed with a shovel (Isaiah 30:23-24). Because of the space of the forsaken places, the cattle are abundant (Isaiah 33:14), and because of the Spirit of the Lord, the field shall become fruitful (Isaiah 33:15). Milk, and cream are the result of places that have green pastures and cattle. That place will be already in place for the house of Israel to come and drink. Zion is a land of milk and honey (Isaiah 7:22).
For both a vine and cattle, you need land of inheritance.
Thirst
13 ¶ Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. (Isaiah 5:13)
8 It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion. (Isaiah 29:8)
6 For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the Lord, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. (Isaiah 32:6)
7 And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. (Isaiah 35:7-8)
17 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
18 I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together: (Isaiah 41:17-19).
3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: (Isaiah 44, Pos. 3)
20 ¶ Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The Lord hath redeemed his servant Jacob.
21 And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out. (Isaiah 48:20-21)
10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. (Isaiah 49:10)
2 Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst. (Isaiah 50:2)
50 Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.
51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness. (2 Nephi 9:50-51).
(55:1–3) Jehovah offers the covenant blessings of food and drink, physical and spiritual, to both the poor—“you who have no money”—and the rich, who “spend money on what is not bread.” The words “attention,” “hear well,” “give ear,” and “pay heed” imply that Jehovah’s people need waking up from their covenantal non-compliance to again observing the covenant’s terms (Isaiah 50:4). Except for their keeping Jehovah’s law and word, his covenant blessings are free—“at no cost.” As now is the “favorable time” and “day of salvation” in which Jehovah restores his people (Isaiah 49:8-13), they have but two choices. (Avraham Gilieadi).
2 Why do you spend money on what is not bread,
your labor on what does not satisfy?
Hear me well: Eat what is good,
and your souls shall enjoy abundance.
Why
לָ֤מָּה (lām·māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what
spend
תִשְׁקְלוּ־ (ṯiš·qə·lū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 8254: To suspend, poise
money
כֶ֙סֶף֙ (ḵe·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money
on that which is not
בְּֽלוֹא־ (bə·lō·w-)
Preposition-b | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no
bread,
לֶ֔חֶם (le·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain
and your labor
וִיגִיעֲכֶ֖ם (wî·ḡî·‘ă·ḵem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 3018: Toil, a work, produce, property
on that which does not
בְּל֣וֹא (bə·lō·w)
Preposition-b | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no
satisfy?
לְשָׂבְעָ֑ה (lə·śā·ḇə·‘āh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7654: Satiety
Listen
שִׁמְע֨וּ (šim·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently
carefully
שָׁמ֤וֹעַ (šā·mō·w·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently
to Me,
אֵלַי֙ (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to
and eat
וְאִכְלוּ־ (wə·’iḵ·lū-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 398: To eat
what is good,
ט֔וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good
and your soul
נַפְשְׁכֶֽם׃ (nap̄·šə·ḵem)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion
will delight
וְתִתְעַנַּ֥ג (wə·ṯiṯ·‘an·naḡ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6026: To be soft, pliable, effeminate, luxurious
in the richest of foods.
בַּדֶּ֖שֶׁן (bad·de·šen)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1880: The fat, fatness, abundance, the, ashes of sacrifices
KJV Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
NIV Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.
BSB Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.
NASB “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance.
BST Wherefore do ye value at the price of money, and give your labour for that which will not satisfy? hearken to me, and ye shall eat that which is good, and your soul shall feast itself on good things.
Parallels
A. Bread = A. Satisfy
B. Spend money = B. Labor
C. Eat = C. Enjoy
D. good = Abundance
The cycle of emptiness:
Spend money (What is not bread) + Labor + Eat = Emptiness
The cycle of enjoyment for the soul:
Use our labor for bread (no money needed) + Eat = Enjoy and abundance
Why spend money on that which is not bread
Here we have a rhetorical question that may allude to the current condition. We have more money to buy stuff than any other generation, but what do we use it for? Bred parallels what can satisfy our souls, which is the most desirable and precious (Alma 32:41). Of course, bred links to Christ's body (3 Nephi 20:8), which the ones who eat shall no hunger any longer.
In any Isaiah during the time of ruin of society, the ones who are looked at the solution have no bread in their house (Isaiah 3:7), in contrast with Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem, which translates as the house of bread.
Jacob paraphrases these verses as "Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth" (2 Nephi 9:51), which links to "come unto the Holy One of Israel." As Nephi says, some will consider things of great worth to the body and soul as naught: For the things which some men esteem to be of great worth, both to the body and soul, others set at naught and trample under their feet. (1 Nephi 19:7), even trample the son of God underfoot.
Jesus says about the fourth generation of the Nephites:
"they will sell me for silver and for gold, and for that which moth doth corrupt and which thieves can break through and steal". (3 Nephi 27:32).
"Bread" which represents the body of Christ that which satisfy the soul, is not worth enough for many, and they use the money to buy what is not bread, while the bread that he offers is free.
Your labor in what does not satisfy?
Similar to the emptiness described in Isaiah 29:
8 like a hungry man who dreams he eats
but awakens famished,
or like a thirsty man who dreams he drinks
but wakes up faint and craving. (Isaiah 29:8).
We may think that this refers to the world and the things they do, but things are always closer to home than it seems. For instance, in Alma 32, Alma does say we can do a lot of work, but we are NOT looking to the fruit thereof we can NEVER pluck from the fruit from the tree of life (Alma 32:40). These are religious people who know some truths, and then they go through this cycle of religious practices, but if they never look at the fruit and tree which is Christ, they can NOT pluck it and taste it, they hunger and thirst dispute their labor.
Another example is Martha, who was literary doing hard labor while Christ was with her and missed what Jesus called the "good part":
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 40:41-42).
Listen carefully to me
Another call to action is used here; it seems the Lord is reviving and aligning Israel's senses into their God Jehovah, Jesus Christ, and using those senses to turn back to the LORD.
- Attention - Isa 55:1
- Come - buy food - Isa 55:1
- Come - buy wine and milk - Isa 55:1
- Listen Carefully - Eat what is good - Isa 55:2
- Give an ear and come unto me - Isa 55:3
Eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods
Eat what is good implies selecting what is good instead of eating everything, or the "good part," as Jesus mentioned (Luke 40:42).
The richest of foods links to the fruit of the tree of life:
by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst. (Alma 32:42)
That is what the Angel told Nephi about the Lamb of God and fruit of the tree:
21 And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?
22 And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.
23 And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul. (1 Nephi 11:21-23)
50 Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.
51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness. (2 Nephi 9:50-51).
3 Give ear and come unto me;
pay heed, that your souls may live!
And I will make with you an everlasting covenant:
my loving fidelity toward David.
Incline
הַטּ֤וּ (haṭ·ṭū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend
your ear
אָזְנְכֶם֙ (’ā·zə·nə·ḵem)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 241: Broadness, the ear
and come
וּלְכ֣וּ (ū·lə·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk
to Me;
אֵלַ֔י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to
listen,
שִׁמְע֖וּ (šim·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently
so that your soul
נַפְשְׁכֶ֑ם (nap̄·šə·ḵem)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion
may live.
וּתְחִ֣י (ū·ṯə·ḥî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive
I will make
וְאֶכְרְתָ֤ה (wə·’eḵ·rə·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant
an everlasting
עוֹלָ֔ם (‘ō·w·lām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always
covenant with you,
בְּרִ֣ית (bə·rîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1285: A covenant
my loving devotion
חַֽסְדֵ֥י (ḥas·ḏê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty
assured
הַנֶּאֱמָנִֽים׃ (han·ne·’ĕ·mā·nîm)
Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 539: To confirm, support
to David.
דָוִ֖ד (ḏā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse
KJV Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
NIV Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.
BSB Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.
NASB Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, According to the faithful mercies shown to David.
BST Give heed with your ears, and follow my ways: hearken to me, and your soul shall live in prosperity; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, the sure mercies of David.
Parallels
A. Incline your ear = A. Listening
B. Come unto him = Your souls will live
A. That your souls may live = A. I will make an everlasting covenant with you
This also parallels the covenant of peace:
- Isaiah 54:10 nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says Jehovah, who has compassion on you.
- Isaiah 55:3 I will make an everlasting covenant with you, My loving devotion assured to David
Incline your ear and come to Me.
There are three parallels directed to listening to the LORD:
- 55:2 Listen Carefully - הַטּ֤וּ (haṭ·ṭū) - To hear inteligently
- 55:3 Incline your ear -הַטּ֤וּ (haṭ·ṭū) - to extend, incline or bend
- 55:3 Listen - שִׁמְע֨וּ (šim·‘ū) - To hear inteligently
It took three times for the Nephites to understand the voice of the father (3 Nephi 11:6-7).
The "deaf" is another spiritual motif in Isaiah:
- Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: (Isaiah 43:8-9)
- And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book (Isaiah 29:18)
- Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. (Isaiah 35:5)
Paralleling Isaiah 52:15, what they haven't heard until now they are going to consider:
for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. (Isaiah 52:15).
The word here is inclined to your ear, which is also connected to "come unto the LORD".
Listen so that your soul may live
The word "live" can also translate as revive. The soul is already a living thing (D&C 88:15). ArtScrolls translate as rejuvenated, perhaps more of a physical renewal (Isaiah 40:31). Then, in this context, if our spiritual capacities turn to the LORD, then our souls will have a higher life, perhaps translation and so forth.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you
This covenant links to the Davidic covenant, as we read in the next tense. The idea of an "everlasting" covenant, such as with Noah (Gen 9:12) and Abraham (Gen 17:7-8), means an "unconditional covenant." The word everlasting also can be translated as perpetual or forever, and from God's standpoint, it is unbreakable.
Under covenant theology, when a covenant is conditional is called a treaty and is when a vassal enters into a covenant relationship with a suzerain or God, here the promise is conditional upon the vassal's loyalty to the agreement, and curses are upon the vassal for breaking the covenant.
When the vassal shows loyalty under all things, the covenant becomes a grant, royal or unconditional; the curses are upon the suzerain if he doesn't abide, as God will always abide by the terms, and the covenant becomes everlasting or perpetual.
The LORD invites people to come unto him, and he will make an everlasting covenant with them. This covenant will finally unite the House of Israel (Ezekiel 37).
My loving devotion assured to David
Another rendition can be my loving kindness assured to my beloved. This is linked to the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:11-16), and the promise to King David that a descendant of his house will build a house of Jehovah for him to dwell in. This also implied that Israel's throne belonged to the house of David (Psalm 89:28,35-37).
The LORD assured David, meaning the covenant was made sure or the Hebrew word confirmed. Fulfillment of this already happened as a type with King Hezekiah, as he agreed to get married to Isaiah's daughter Hephzi-bah a type for Zion (Isaiah 62:4), then abide by the terms of the Davidic covenant, the LORD was bound to protect Jerusalem for the sake of his servant David (Isaiah 37:35).
The Davidic covenant begins to be fulfilled when Zion is redeemed after the deliverance from the King of Assyria (Isaiah 37-38). Now the remnants are invited to enter into the covenant, and the throne of David will unify the kingdom.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. (Exodus 14:26-27 KJV)
Chapter 55 forms an integral part of Part VI of Isaiah’s Seven-Part Structure (Isaiah 28-31; 55-59), which juxtaposes a Covenant of Life—“that your souls may live” (v 3)—modeled on the Davidic Covenant with a “Covenant with Death” (Isaiah 28:15, 18) that is grounded in human counsels and schemes. Unlike the Sinai Covenant, Jehovah’s “everlasting covenant” is unconditional to individuals who prove loyal to Jehovah under all conditions. His servant—the “David” of Hebrew prophecy (Jeremiah 33:15-16; Ezekiel 34:23-25; Hosea 3:5)—personifies and mediates it (Isaiah 42:6; 49:8). (Avraham Gileadi).
4 See, I have appointed him as a witness to the nations,
a prince and lawgiver of the peoples.
Behold,
הֵ֛ן (hên)
Interjection
Strong's 2005: Lo! behold!
I have made him
נְתַתִּ֑יו (nə·ṯat·tîw)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set
a witness
עֵ֥ד (‘êḏ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5707: A witness, testimony, a recorder, prince
to the nations,
לְאוּמִּ֖ים (lə·’ūm·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3816: A community
a leader
נָגִ֥יד (nā·ḡîḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5057: A commander, civil, military, religious, honorable themes
and commander
וּמְצַוֵּ֖ה (ū·mə·ṣaw·wêh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order
of the peoples.
לְאֻמִּֽים׃ (lə·’um·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3816: A community
KJV Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
NIV See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples.
BSB Behold, I have made him a witness to the nations, a leader and commander of the peoples.
NASB “Behold, I have made him a witness to the peoples, A leader and commander for the peoples.
BST Behold I have made him a testimony among the Gentiles, a prince and commander to the Gentiles.
Parallel
A. Nations=A. People
B. Witness = B. Leader
Behold, I have made him a witness to the nations
We go from the Davidic covenant to a "him," meaning the person who will fulfill the covenant in 2 Samuel 7:11-16. He will be an end-time David. The Lord made him a witness to the nations, parallels Isaiah 49, the Lord made him a covenant for the people:
This is what the LORD says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, (Isaiah 49:8).
Also, as a light to the nations:
I will also give thee for a to the , that thou mayest be my unto the end of the earth. (Isaiah 49:6).
The word witness and testimony are from the means to Hebrew root 'ad, which is also used to see or obverse. In other words, is an "eyewitness" someone who has seen eye to eye. He is an eyewitness to the nations of Jehovah. The word can also be translated as a recorder, as the Holy Ghost is the witness or testator, the record of heaven (Moses 6:61). Jesus calls himself the faithful witness in Revelation 1:5. An Apostle is a special "witness" of the name of Christ (D&C 27:12,107:23), the word apostle is the Greek word for the one who is sent, which matches the role of the Servant in Isaiah 48:14, the "Lord has sent me." In this end-time David will act as an Apostle, the one who is sent, a special witness, and an observer of Jehovah himself.
Also, in some translations, the word is prince or commander instead of a witness. Playing more of a ruler role. Rabbi Ezra Radak in Artscrolls says the root of the word witness in this context means "warning," as a warning to the nations or people.
The word "appoint him" parallels the "child appointed" that will sit on the throne of David in Isaiah 7:6-9.
A leader and a commander to the people
The Isaiah Institute translates as prince and lawgiver, positioning him as the one like unto Moses as he gave the law.
Most translations use leader and commander, playing more of a role of the king who is a protector (2 Nephi 6:3).
And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. (Exodus 14:26-27 KJV)
5 You will summon a nation that you did not know;
a nation that did not know you will hasten to you—
because of Jehovah your God,
the Holy One of Israel, who gloriously endows you.
Surely
הֵ֣ן (hên)
Interjection
Strong's 2005: Lo! behold!
you will summon
תִּקְרָ֔א (tiq·rā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read
a nation
גּ֤וֹי (gō·w)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts
you do not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no
know,
תֵדַע֙ (ṯê·ḏa‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know
and nations
וְג֥וֹי (wə·ḡō·w)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts
who do not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no
know you
יְדָע֖וּךָ (yə·ḏā·‘ū·ḵā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know
will run
יָר֑וּצוּ (yā·rū·ṣū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7323: To run
to you.
אֵלֶ֣יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to
For
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction
the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel
your God,
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative
the Holy
וְלִקְד֥וֹשׁ (wə·liq·ḏō·wōš)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6918: Sacred, God, an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
One of Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc
has bestowed glory on you.”
פֵאֲרָֽךְ׃ (p̄ê·’ă·rāḵ)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6286: To gleam, embellish, to boast, to explain, oneself, to shake a, tree
KJV Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
NIV Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.”
BSB Surely you will summon a nation you do not know, and nations who do not know you will run to you. For the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, has bestowed glory on you.”
NASB “Behold, you will call a nation you do not know, And a nation which does not know you will run to you, Because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you.”
BST Nations which know thee not, shall call upon thee, and peoples which are not acquainted with thee, shall flee to thee for refuge, for the sake of the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel; for he has glorified thee.
Surely you will summon a nation you do not know
The word nation can also translate as Gentiles (gō·w). "To know" is part of a covenant relationship (Jeremiah 31:33-34). The servant in Isaiah 49:6 is commissioned to be
"a light to the Gentiles" and to restore the preserved of Israel. The Gentiles are the unknown nation to him, as he is an Israelite, the root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:10, D&C 113:5-6).
The root of Jesse, David's descendant, becomes a standard or banner to the Gentiles or nations (Isaiah 11:10), which matches the hand lift to the King and Queen of the Gentiles in Isaiah 49:22-23. They are a foreign nation to him; this may be literal or figurative, as he represents Israel (Isaiah 49:3). Then, if he represents Israel as a spiritual condition, the Gentiles as a category will be a foreign nation to him.
The Gentiles enter into the covenant with the servant (3 Nephi 21:22). But it is clear there is a gap, from lineage or spiritual, between him and the nation he needs to summon, he is unknown to them until he is revealed (Isaiah 49:2). He needs to come to the Gentile's first as the King and Queen of the Gentiles play the role to the House of Israel (Isaiah 49:20-21).
He will summon, which translates as "call" or "proclaim," and he will proclaim to a nation that doesn't know him. The same role was played by King Hezekiah as he sent a proclamation to the nations around Jerusalem to gather in Jerusalem for Passover (2 Chronicles 30-33).
And nations that who do not know you will run to you.
We see that the Gentiles will seek the root of Jesse or Davidic King in Isaiah 11:10. This is also linked to his anointed, who sprinkles the nations (Isaiah 52:15).
We see that the nations will come in haste or run to him, while the house of Israel shall not come in haste (Isaiah 28:16), and the house of Israel shall no go out in haste or by flight (Isaiah 52:12), which seems more of a preparation process for them.
The Holy One of Israel has bestowed glory on you
Here we can see that this descendant of David will be endowed by the Holy One of Israel, and he is endowed to summon the nations (Light unto the Gentiles) and restore Israel. This parallel the role of the anointed one in Isaiah 52:14-15, who sprinkles the nations.
He received an endowment or was anointed to do the work (Isaiah 45:1).
And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. (Exodus 14:26-27 KJV)
6 Inquire of Jehovah while he is present;
call upon him while he is near.
Seek
דִּרְשׁ֥וּ (dir·šū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship
the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel
while He may be found;
בְּהִמָּצְא֑וֹ (bə·him·mā·ṣə·’ōw)
Preposition-b | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present
call on Him
קְרָאֻ֖הוּ (qə·rā·’u·hū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read
while He is
בִּֽהְיוֹת֥וֹ (bih·yō·w·ṯōw)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be
near.
קָרֽוֹב׃ (qā·rō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7138: Near
KJV Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
NIV Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
BSB Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.
NASB Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.
BST Seek ye the Lord, and when ye find him, call upon him; and when he shall draw nigh to you,
And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. (Exodus 14:26-27 KJV)
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways
and sinful men their thoughts.
Let them return to Jehovah,
and he will have mercy on them;
to our God, who graciously pardons.
Let the wicked man
רָשָׁע֙ (rā·šā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person
forsake
יַעֲזֹ֤ב (ya·‘ă·zōḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit
his own way
דַּרְכּ֔וֹ (dar·kōw)
Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action
and the unrighteous
אָ֖וֶן (’ā·wen)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 205: Strictly nothingness, trouble, vanity, wickedness, an idol
man
וְאִ֥ישׁ (wə·’îš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person
his own thoughts;
מַחְשְׁבֹתָ֑יו (maḥ·šə·ḇō·ṯāw)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4284: A contrivance, a texture, machine, intention, plan
let him return
וְיָשֹׁ֤ב (wə·yā·šōḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again
to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to
the LORD,
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH
that He may have compassion,
וִֽירַחֲמֵ֔הוּ (wî·ra·ḥă·mê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7355: To fondle, to love, to compassionate
and to
וְאֶל־ (wə·’el-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to
our God,
אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative
for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction
He will freely
יַרְבֶּ֥ה (yar·beh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great
pardon.
לִסְלֽוֹחַ׃ (lis·lō·w·aḥ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5545: To forgive, pardon
KJV Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
NIV Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
BSB Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
NASB Let the wicked abandon his way, And the unrighteous person his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
BST let the ungodly leave his ways, and the transgressor his counsels: and let him return to the Lord, and he shall find mercy; for he shall abundantly pardon your sins.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says Jehovah.
“For
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction
My thoughts
מַחְשְׁבוֹתַי֙ (maḥ·šə·ḇō·w·ṯay)
Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4284: A contrivance, a texture, machine, intention, plan
are not
לֹ֤א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no
your thoughts,
מַחְשְׁב֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם (maḥ·šə·ḇō·w·ṯê·ḵem)
Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 4284: A contrivance, a texture, machine, intention, plan
neither are
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no
your ways
דַרְכֵיכֶ֖ם (ḏar·ḵê·ḵem)
Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action
My ways,”
דְּרָכָ֑י (də·rā·ḵāy)
Noun - common plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action
declares
נְאֻ֖ם (nə·’um)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle
the LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel
KJV For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
NIV “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
BSB “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
NASB “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
BST For my counsels are not as your counsels, nor are my ways as your ways, saith the Lord.
9 But as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
“For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction
[as] the heavens
שָׁמַ֖יִם (šā·ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky
are higher
גָבְה֥וּ (ḡā·ḇə·hū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1361: To soar, be lofty, to be haughty
than the earth,
מֵאָ֑רֶץ (mê·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land
so
כֵּ֣ן (kên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus
My ways
דְרָכַי֙ (ḏə·rā·ḵay)
Noun - common plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action
are higher
גָּבְה֤וּ (gā·ḇə·hū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1361: To soar, be lofty, to be haughty
than your ways
מִדַּרְכֵיכֶ֔ם (mid·dar·ḵê·ḵem)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action
and My thoughts
וּמַחְשְׁבֹתַ֖י (ū·maḥ·šə·ḇō·ṯay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4284: A contrivance, a texture, machine, intention, plan
than your thoughts.
מִמַּחְשְׁבֹתֵיכֶֽם׃ (mim·maḥ·šə·ḇō·ṯê·ḵem)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 4284: A contrivance, a texture, machine, intention, plan
KJV For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
NIV “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
BSB For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
NASB “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.
BST But as the heaven is distant from the earth, so is my way distant from your ways, and your thoughts from my mind.
10 And as the rains and snows descend from the sky,
and return not to it without watering the earth,
to render it fertile and fruitful—
providing seed for the sower and food for the eater
For
כִּ֡י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction
just as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that
rain
הַגֶּ֨שֶׁם (hag·ge·šem)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1653: Rain, shower
and snow
וְהַשֶּׁ֜לֶג (wə·haš·še·leḡ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7950: Snow
fall
יֵרֵד֩ (yê·rêḏ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend
from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of
heaven
הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky
and do not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no
return
יָשׁ֔וּב (yā·šūḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again
without
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction
watering
הִרְוָ֣ה (hir·wāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7301: To be saturated, drink one's fill
the earth,
הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land
making it bud
וְהוֹלִידָ֖הּ (wə·hō·w·lî·ḏāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage
and sprout,
וְהִצְמִיחָ֑הּ (wə·hiṣ·mî·ḥāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6779: To sprout, spring up
and providing
וְנָ֤תַן (wə·nā·ṯan)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set
seed
זֶ֙רַע֙ (ze·ra‘)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2233: Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
to sow
לַזֹּרֵ֔עַ (laz·zō·rê·a‘)
Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2232: To sow, to disseminate, plant, fructify
and food
וְלֶ֖חֶם (wə·le·ḥem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain
to eat,
לָאֹכֵֽל׃ (lā·’ō·ḵêl)
Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 398: To eat
KJV For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
NIV As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
BSB For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat,
NASB “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it produce and sprout, And providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
BST For as rain shall come down, or snow, from heaven, and shall not return until it have saturated the earth, and it bring forth, and bud, and give seed to the sower, and bread for food:
11 so is the word that leaves my mouth:
it does not return to me empty;
it accomplishes what I desire,
achieves the purpose for which I sent it.
so
כֵּ֣ן (kên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus
My word
דְבָרִי֙ (ḏə·ḇā·rî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause
that
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that
proceeds
יֵצֵ֣א (yê·ṣê)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim
from My mouth
מִפִּ֔י (mip·pî)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to
will not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no
return
יָשׁ֥וּב (yā·šūḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again
to Me
אֵלַ֖י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to
empty,
רֵיקָ֑ם (rê·qām)
Adverb
Strong's 7387: Emptily, ineffectually, undeservedly
but
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction
it will accomplish
עָשָׂה֙ (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make
what
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that
I please,
חָפַ֔צְתִּי (ḥā·p̄aṣ·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2654: To incline to, to bend, to be pleased with, desire
and it will prosper
וְהִצְלִ֖יחַ (wə·hiṣ·lî·aḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6743: To push forward
where
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that
I send it.
שְׁלַחְתִּֽיו׃ (šə·laḥ·tîw)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out
KJV For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
NIV As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
BSB For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat,
NASB “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it produce and sprout, And providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
BST For as rain shall come down, or snow, from heaven, and shall not return until it have saturated the earth, and it bring forth, and bud, and give seed to the sower, and bread for food:
12 You shall depart in joy and be led back in peace;
the mountains and hills shall sing at your presence
and the trees of the meadows all clap their hands.
You will indeed
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction
go out
תֵצֵ֔אוּ (ṯê·ṣê·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim
with joy
בְשִׂמְחָ֣ה (ḇə·śim·ḥāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8057: Blithesomeness, glee
and be led forth
תּֽוּבָל֑וּן (tū·ḇā·lūn)
Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 2986: To conduct, bear along
in peace;
וּבְשָׁל֖וֹם (ū·ḇə·šā·lō·wm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace
the mountains
הֶהָרִ֣ים (he·hā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country
and hills
וְהַגְּבָע֗וֹת (wə·hag·gə·ḇā·‘ō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1389: A hillock
will burst
יִפְצְח֤וּ (yip̄·ṣə·ḥū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6476: To cause to break or burst forth, break forth with
into song
רִנָּ֔ה (rin·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7440: A creaking, shout
before you,
לִפְנֵיכֶם֙ (lip̄·nê·ḵem)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face
and all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every
the trees
עֲצֵ֥י (‘ă·ṣê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood
of the field
הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה (haś·śā·ḏeh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land
will clap
יִמְחֲאוּ־ (yim·ḥă·’ū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 4222: To rub, strike the hands together
their hands.
כָֽף׃ (ḵāp̄)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3709: Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan
KJV For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
NIV You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
BSB For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and proviYou will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
NASB “For you will go out with joy And be led in peace; The mountains and the hills will break into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
BST For ye shall go forth with joy, and shall be taught with gladness: for the mountains and the hills shall exult to welcome you with joy, and all the trees of the field shall applaud with their branches.
13 In place of the thornbush shall come up the cypress,
in place of nettles, the myrtle.
This shall serve as a testimony of Jehovah,
an everlasting sign that shall not be done away.
Instead of
תַּ֤חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of
the thornbush,
הַֽנַּעֲצוּץ֙ (han·na·‘ă·ṣūṣ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5285: A brier, a thicket of thorny bushes
a cypress
בְר֔וֹשׁ (ḇə·rō·wōš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1265: A cypress, tree, a lance, a musical instrument
will grow,
יַעֲלֶ֣ה (ya·‘ă·leh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively
and instead of
וְתַ֥חַת (wə·ṯa·ḥaṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of
the brier,
הַסִּרְפַּ֖ד (has·sir·paḏ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5636: Nettle (a desert plant)
a myrtle
הֲדַ֑ס (hă·ḏas)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1918: Myrtle (tree)
will spring up;
יַעֲלֶ֣ה (ya·‘ă·leh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively
they will make
וְהָיָ֤ה (wə·hā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be
a name
לְשֵׁ֔ם (lə·šêm)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name
for the LORD
לַֽיהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel
as an everlasting
עוֹלָ֖ם (‘ō·w·lām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always
sign,
לְא֥וֹת (lə·’ō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 226: A signal, as a, flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence
never
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no
to be destroyed.”
יִכָּרֵֽת׃ (yik·kā·rêṯ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant
KJV For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
NIV You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
BSB For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and proviYou will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
NASB “For you will go out with joy And be led in peace; The mountains and the hills will break into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
BST For ye shall go forth with joy, and shall be taught with gladness: for the mountains and the hills shall exult to welcome you with joy, and all the trees of the field shall applaud with their branches.