Devine Scripture

Isaiah 55:6

What does Isaiah 55:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Isaiah 55:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Isaiah 55:6 means

This verse issues an urgent call to action, urging people to seek the Lord while He can still be found and to call upon Him while He is near. It emphasizes the present opportunity for repentance and reconciliation with God. This is not an open-ended invitation, but one with a timely window, implying that there are moments when God's accessibility for forgiveness and relationship is particularly evident, and it should not be taken for granted or delayed.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Make search for the Lord while he is there, make prayer to him while he is near:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Seek ye Jehovah, while He is found, Call ye Him, while He is near,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Seek ye the Lord, while he may be found: call upon him, while he is near.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.

Context

After detailing the future glory and global reach of God's plan through the Messiah, this verse brings the focus back to the immediate responsibility of the individual. It acts as a present-tense imperative, urging action in light of the profound promises just revealed. This sets up the following verse, which clarifies *how* one should seek the Lord.

v.5Behold, 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.

v.6This passage

v.7let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Chronicles 28:9

    And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Jehovah searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts. If thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

  • Isaiah 46:13

    I bring near my righteousness, it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

  • 2 Chronicles 19:3

    Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast put away the Asheroth out of the land, and hast set thy heart to seek God.

  • Isaiah 12:6

    Cry aloud and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great in the midst of thee is the Holy One of Israel.

  • John 8:21

    He said therefore again unto them, I go away, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sin: whither I go, ye cannot come.

  • Jeremiah 29:12

    And ye shall call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

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