Isaiah 55:5
What does Isaiah 55:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 55:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 55:5 means
Addressing the Messiah directly, this verse proclaims that He will call out to nations He does not currently know, and those nations, previously unfamiliar with Him, will eagerly respond. This universal response is attributed to "Jehovah thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel," who has glorified Him. This prophecy clearly foretells the inclusion of Gentiles into God's covenant people through the work of Christ, extending the reach of God's blessing beyond Israel.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not; and a nation that knew not thee shall run unto thee, because of Jehovah thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Behold, 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not; and a nation that knew not thee shall run unto thee, because of Jehovah thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949See, you will send for a nation of which you had no knowledge, and those who had no knowledge of you will come running to you, because of the Lord your God, and because of the Holy One of Israel, for he has given you glory.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Lo, a nation thou knowest not, thou callest, And a nation who know thee not unto thee do run, For the sake of Jehovah thy God, And for the Holy One of Israel, Because He hath beautified thee.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Behold thou shalt call a nation, which thou knewest not: and the nations that knew not thee shall run to thee, because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel, for he hath glorified thee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Behold, thou shalt call a nation thou knowest not, and a nation [that] knew not thee shall run unto thee, because of Jehovah thyGod, and the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
Context
Building upon the identity of the 'leader and commander' introduced in verse 4, this verse illuminates the *impact* of this figure. It explains how the witness and leadership will manifest, specifically in the global ingathering of nations. This expansion of God's purposes through the Messiah further emphasizes the universal scope of the gracious invitation presented at the chapter's beginning.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 45:23
By myself have I sworn, the word is gone forth from my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
- Ephesians 3:5
which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
- Isaiah 60:5
Then thou shalt see and be radiant, and thy heart shall thrill and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned unto thee, the wealth of the nations shall come unto thee.
- Psalms 110:1
Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
- Genesis 49:10
The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh come; And unto him shall the obedience of the peoples be.
- Zechariah 8:20
Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come peoples, and the inhabitants of many cities;
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