Isaiah 55:2
What does Isaiah 55:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 55:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 55:2 means
God directly challenges the futility of human pursuits that fail to bring true satisfaction. He questions why people labor and spend their resources on things that do not nourish their souls. Instead of these empty endeavors, He urges diligent attention to His words, promising that doing so will lead to genuine goodness and deep spiritual delight. This verse highlights the profound difference between temporary worldly satisfaction and the lasting nourishment that comes from God's provision.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wherefore 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Why do you give your money for what is not bread, and the fruit of your work for what will not give you pleasure? Give ear to me, so that your food may be good, and you may have the best in full measure.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Why do ye weigh money for that which is not bread? And your labour for that which is not for satiety? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat good, And your soul doth delight itself in fatness.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which doth not satisfy you? Hearken diligently to me, and eat that which is good, and your soul shall be delighted in fatness.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Wherefore 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.
Context
Building on the open invitation in verse 1, this verse directly challenges the audience's current approach to finding satisfaction. It shifts from invitation to a pointed question, setting up a clear contrast between false satisfactions and God's true nourishment. This critical assessment of human efforts establishes the necessity of turning to God's ways, which are elaborated upon in subsequent verses.
v.1Ho, 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.
v.2This passage
v.3Incline 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 2:13
For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
- Luke 15:15
And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
- Philippians 3:4
though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh: if any other man thinketh to have confidence in the flesh, I yet more:
- Matthew 15:9
But in vain do they worship me, Teachingas theirdoctrines the precepts of men.
- Psalms 36:8
They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; And thou wilt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
- Ecclesiastes 6:2
a man to whom God giveth riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacketh nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but an alien eateth it; this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
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