Isaiah 55:3
What does Isaiah 55:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 55:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 55:3 means
God reiterates His invitation, urging the people to listen attentively and come to Him, promising that their souls will live. This spiritual life is then linked to an everlasting covenant, specifically referencing the "sure mercies of David." This points forward to the Messiah, a descendant of David, through whom God's covenant promises of steadfast love and faithfulness would be securely fulfilled. The promise of an everlasting covenant assures a lasting relationship with God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Incline 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Incline 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Incline 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Give ear, and come to me, take note with care, so that your souls may have life: and I will make an eternal agreement with you, even the certain mercies of David.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Incline your ear, and come unto me, Hear, and your soul doth live, And I make for you a covenant age-during, The kind acts of David--that are stedfast.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Incline your ear and come to me: hear and your soul shall live, and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, the faithful mercies of David.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, the sure mercies of David.
Context
This verse continues the theme of invitation and immediately connects it with life and an everlasting covenant. It deepens the understanding of what 'coming' and 'eating' entail, moving beyond mere sustenance to covenant relationship. The mention of David prepares the reader for the prophetic insight into a coming leader, setting up the subsequent verses that describe this key figure in God's plan.
v.2Wherefore 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.
v.3This passage
v.4Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 13:16
But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.
- Leviticus 18:5
Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and mine ordinances; which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am Jehovah.
- Jeremiah 32:40
and I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from following them, to do them good; and I will put my fear in their hearts, that they may not depart from me.
- Psalms 78:1
Give ear, O my people, to my law: Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
- 2 Samuel 23:5
Verily my house is not so with God; Yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, Ordered in all things, and sure: For it is all my salvation, and allmydesire, Although he maketh it not to grow.
- John 6:37
All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
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