Isaiah 50 10

Isaiah 50:10 kjv

Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

Isaiah 50:10 nkjv

"Who among you fears the LORD? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness And has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD And rely upon his God.

Isaiah 50:10 niv

Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on their God.

Isaiah 50:10 esv

Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.

Isaiah 50:10 nlt

Who among you fears the LORD
and obeys his servant?
If you are walking in darkness,
without a ray of light,
trust in the LORD
and rely on your God.

Isaiah 50 verses

Isaiah 50 10 meaning

Isaiah 50:10 calls to those who are truly devoted to the Lord and obedient to His messenger, yet find themselves in deep distress, feeling abandoned, or without divine guidance. In this state of "darkness" and perceived absence of "light," they are exhorted to place their complete faith and dependence upon the character and covenant faithfulness of God, finding their solace and support entirely in Him.

Isaiah 50 10 Context

Isaiah chapter 50 is part of the "Second Isaiah" section (chapters 40-55), delivered during or just before the return of Judah from Babylonian exile. It features a pivotal "Song of the Suffering Servant," specifically presented as the Servant's self-vindication and resolute commitment to God's will despite immense suffering (Is 50:4-9). The historical context is one of profound national despair for Israel, as they experienced the "darkness" of foreign oppression and doubted God's power and presence, often feeling abandoned or divorced by Him (Is 50:1). This specific verse serves as a crucial theological turning point, directly contrasting the disobedient nation with the righteous remnant, offering an antidote to despair for those who truly seek God. It immediately precedes a warning against those who kindle their own lights (Is 50:11), highlighting the necessity of trusting God's provision rather than human self-reliance.

Isaiah 50 10 Word analysis

• Who is among you: This is a direct rhetorical question, calling for personal self-identification. It invites individual introspection, urging listeners to consider where they stand in their faith.

• that feareth: The Hebrew yāre' (יָרֵא) conveys not merely terror, but profound reverence, awe, respect, and humble submission to God's authority and commands. It signifies a proper posture before the divine.

• the LORD: Refers to Yahweh (YHWH), the covenant God of Israel, emphasizing His unique and unchanging character and faithfulness revealed throughout history.

• that obeyeth: The Hebrew šāmaʿ (שָׁמַע) means "to hear, listen, or obey." Here, in combination with "voice," it signifies active heeding and compliance.

• the voice of his servant: The "servant" (ʿeḇed, עֶבֶד) here points primarily to the prophetic messenger who speaks God's word, and by extension, the faithful remnant of Israel who embodies this obedience, ultimately finding its complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the obedient Suffering Servant of God (Is 52:13-53:12).

• that walketh: The Hebrew hālak (הָלַךְ) implies a continuous, sustained journey or manner of life, not a momentary experience.

• in darkness: The Hebrew ḥōšek (חֹשֶׁךְ) refers to literal darkness, but here denotes spiritual, emotional, or circumstantial distress, despair, confusion, sorrow, or a sense of divine abandonment. It signifies a profound lack of clarity or hope.

• and hath no light: The Hebrew wəʾên nōḡah lô (וְאֵין נֹגַהּ לֹו) directly translates to "and there is no radiance/brightness for him." This reinforces the severity of the "darkness," suggesting an utter lack of external comfort, prosperity, or internal illumination—no visible way out.

• let him trust: The Hebrew bāṭaḥ (בָּטַח) means to actively place confidence, rely fully, or lean on. It suggests an inward conviction of security.

• in the name of the LORD: "Name" (šēm, שֵׁם) in Hebrew thought represents the totality of one's character, reputation, revealed attributes, and authority. To trust in the Name of the LORD is to trust in who God has revealed Himself to be: faithful, powerful, righteous, and sovereign.

• and stay: The Hebrew šāʿan (שָׁעַן) literally means "to lean upon," "to support oneself," or "to rest upon." It conveys a posture of total dependence and leaning on a stronger entity for sustenance and stability.

• upon his God: The use of the possessive "his" (ʾĕlōhāyw, אֱלֹהָיו) highlights the personal and covenantal relationship the faithful individual has with God, making the act of reliance deeply intimate and personal.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant": This forms the crucial antecedent, defining the group to whom the divine counsel is directed. These are the genuinely pious, distinct from those who abandon God or seek their own ways. It describes the condition of true discipleship and faith.
  • "that walketh in darkness, and hath no light": This phrase starkly depicts the existential crisis or severe trial faced by the aforementioned faithful ones. It paints a picture of intense suffering, confusion, or desolation, where no earthly remedy or divine illumination is apparent.
  • "let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God": This is the divine prescription and command for the person in darkness. It offers the sole true refuge and strength. It emphasizes that despite distressing circumstances, faith is to be placed not in self-effort or visible light, but in the immutable character and personal covenant faithfulness of God Himself.

Isaiah 50 10 Bonus section

• The rhetorical structure of the verse presents a stark contrast between external trial ("darkness") and internal piety ("fear the LORD, obey his servant"), highlighting the testing ground of genuine faith. It teaches that devotion does not guarantee freedom from tribulation, but rather, offers the true solution within tribulation.
• "His servant" functions prophetically, looking forward to Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the obedient Servant role and is the ultimate "voice" to be obeyed. Thus, for New Testament believers, obeying the voice of "His servant" means following Christ and His teachings.
• The distinction between those who trust the Lord (v.10) and those who rely on their own "sparks" (v.11) is pivotal. It sets up a polemic against self-reliance and human wisdom when facing crisis, positioning faith in God as the only true and lasting source of comfort and light.
• This verse provides a crucial theological lesson that divine revelation (the voice of the servant, the name of the Lord) supersedes sensory experience or present feelings of desolation. True spiritual sight comes not from perceived "light" in darkness, but from unwavering reliance on God's word and character.

Isaiah 50 10 Commentary

Isaiah 50:10 offers profound spiritual direction for the struggling believer. It addresses those who sincerely revere Yahweh and genuinely heed the word of His appointed messenger—the truly obedient. These individuals, despite their faithfulness, may encounter periods of deep spiritual or physical "darkness"—times of hardship, confusion, suffering, or a seeming absence of God's guidance or blessings. This darkness is further intensified by the feeling of having "no light," no clear path, no immediate hope, and no visible divine intervention.

In such trying circumstances, the verse provides the ultimate solution: to not succumb to despair or seek human-derived comfort (which verse 11 explicitly warns against), but to deliberately and completely place their "trust in the name of the LORD" and "stay upon his God." "The name of the LORD" encapsulates all that God is—His character, His power, His promises, and His proven faithfulness in history. This is an invitation to lean on His revealed nature, which remains constant even when circumstances fluctuate wildly. "Stay upon his God" speaks to an intimate, personal reliance, a profound act of leaning all one's weight on the one who is utterly dependable. It reassures that genuine faith, when tested by the deepest shadows, finds its unshakeable anchor in God's eternal reliability and personal relationship, transforming despair into sustained hope.

• Practical example: A dedicated Christian unexpectedly loses a loved one or faces a severe illness. While "walking in darkness," they are called to recall God's loving character (His name) and find their strength by resting solely on His promise of presence, rather than seeking solace in fleeting distractions.
• Practical example: A missionary in a remote land, far from familiar support and facing spiritual opposition, experiences profound loneliness and lack of tangible progress. They must actively remember God's faithfulness to His calling and "stay upon their God" for sustenance and strength.