Isaiah 43 6

Isaiah 43:6 kjv

I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

Isaiah 43:6 nkjv

I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' And to the south, 'Do not keep them back!' Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth?

Isaiah 43:6 niv

I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth?

Isaiah 43:6 esv

I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth,

Isaiah 43:6 nlt

I will say to the north and south,
'Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel
from the distant corners of the earth.

Isaiah 43 verses

Isaiah 43 6 Meaning

God asserts His supreme, unchallengeable authority over all earthly powers and nations, commanding them to release His chosen people—His "sons and daughters"—from every place of dispersion across the entire world. This ensures their certain and complete restoration, underscoring His deep, personal ownership, and unwavering commitment to redeem them, no matter how distant their location.

Isaiah 43 6 Context

Isaiah 43 falls within a section (chapters 40-55) known as the Book of Consolation, addressed primarily to Israel during their Babylonian exile. The overall message is one of hope and reassurance that despite their past transgressions and present suffering, God has not abandoned them. He is their sole Creator, Redeemer, and Deliverer, in contrast to the impotent idols of the nations. The verses immediately preceding 43:6 (43:1-5) emphatically state God's personal redemption of Israel, His calling them by name, and His presence with them through fire and water. He affirms their preciousness and honor in His sight, giving nations in ransom for them. Verse 5 begins the theme of gathering, preparing for the command in verse 6 for a universal restoration. Historically, the Babylonian empire (north) had dispersed Israel, and Egypt (south) was a traditional place of flight or former captivity, setting the stage for God's ultimate reversal of all these dispersions.

Isaiah 43 6 Word analysis

• I will say (אֹמַר - 'ōmar): This is a powerful, first-person singular verb, emphasizing God's direct, personal action and sovereign authority. It signifies an irresistible command, not a request or a prophecy of what might happen, but a definite decree that will certainly come to pass.
• to the north (לַצָּפוֹן - latzāfôn): Geographically, the north primarily represents Babylon, the place of Judah's exile. Symbolically, it stands for any powerful entity or direction that has held God's people captive. It marks a definite geographical point from which a command is issued.
• 'Give them up!' (תֵּן - tēn): An emphatic imperative command, masculine singular. This demands total release and relinquishment of the captives. It underscores God's authority to compel captors to free His people; He does not ask, He orders.
• and to the south (וּלְתֵימָן - ūlĕtêmān): Historically, the south often refers to Egypt, another nation associated with Israel's bondage or refuge throughout their history. Coupled with "north," it symbolizes all compass points, demonstrating the universal reach of God's authority and His intent to gather from every direction.
• 'Do not hold them back!' (אַל־תִּכְלָאִי - 'al-tiklā'î): A forceful negative imperative command, feminine singular, directed at the 'south'. This is a direct and strong prohibition against hindering the return of His people. It stresses that no power, natural or political, can obstruct God's will to liberate.
• Bring my sons (הָבִיא בָנַי - hāvî' vānay): "Bring" (הָבִיא) is an imperative, typically directed at the nations. "My sons" (בָנַי) uses highly intimate, possessive, and covenantal language. It emphasizes God's personal ownership and deep, familial relationship with His people, identifying them not merely as subjects but as beloved children.
• from afar (מֵרָחֹוק - mērāḥōq): This adverb denotes geographical distance, signifying that no distance is too great or challenging for God to retrieve His people. It points to a wide dispersion, making the miracle of gathering even more profound.
• and my daughters (וּבְנוֹתַי - ûvĕnōtayi): This explicit inclusion underscores God's comprehensive care for all His people, both male and female. It ensures that the completeness of the promised restoration leaves no member of His family ungathered.
• from the ends of the earth (מִקְצֵה הָאָרֶץ - miqṣēh hā'āreṣ): A superlative or hyperbolic expression that signifies the remotest possible locations, literally "from the very edge of the land/earth." It powerfully conveys the universal reach of God's gathering act and His unparalleled power to bring His children home from anywhere.

• "I will say to the north...and to the south": This powerful pairing of directional commands showcases God's absolute sovereignty over all cardinal points, and by extension, all earthly powers, empires, and nations. It emphasizes that no earthly authority is outside the scope of His divine will.
• "'Give them up!'...'Do not hold them back!'": These conjoined, non-negotiable commands demonstrate the irresistible nature of God's will. They serve as a direct, unyielding decree to captor nations, indicating an act of divine power overriding human or national sovereignty, compelling the release of His treasured people.
• "my sons...and my daughters": This possessive and deeply familial language ("my") highlights God's tender, intimate, and covenantal relationship with Israel. It emphasizes their identity as beloved, chosen children—heirs of His promises and objects of His affection, not just a people group. This expands to all who are adopted into His family through Christ.
• "from afar and...from the ends of the earth": These comprehensive spatial descriptors convey the complete and global scope of the promised restoration. They assure that no member of God's scattered family, regardless of how distantly dispersed or forgotten, will be beyond the reach of His redemptive hand.

Isaiah 43 6 Bonus section

• This verse initiates what is often referred to as the "Second Exodus" theme in Isaiah. Just as God delivered Israel from Egypt with mighty power, He promises an even grander liberation and regathering, from far wider and more dispersed locations, highlighting His enduring faithfulness and increased demonstration of power.
• The emphasis on "My sons and My daughters" profoundly speaks to the identity of God's people. This divine appellation roots their worth and belonging not in their circumstances or actions, but in their intrinsic relationship with God, who claims them intimately. This concept expands significantly in the New Testament to encompass all believers as adopted children of God.
• The use of direct imperatives ("Give them up!" and "Do not hold them back!") against powerful nations is a powerful polemic against any notion that human empires or rulers hold ultimate power. It emphatically asserts that God's word is creative, authoritative, and irresistible, directly counteracting the pride and perceived invincibility of kingdoms like Babylon.

Isaiah 43 6 Commentary

Isaiah 43:6 is a magnificent declaration of God's supreme authority and unwavering commitment to His people. It stands as an irresistible divine decree to all worldly powers—symbolized by "the north" (Babylon) and "the south" (Egypt) to cover all directions—commanding them to release His beloved "sons and daughters" from their global dispersion. This verse underscores God's personal, possessive love for His chosen ones and His absolute power to overcome any barrier to their restoration. It paints a picture of a sovereign God who doesn't negotiate but commands, ensuring a universal ingathering not dependent on human might, but on His divine will. Prophetic not only for the physical return from exile but also foreshadowing the broader spiritual gathering of all believers—both Jew and Gentile—into His eternal family.