Isaiah 51:1 kjv
Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.
Isaiah 51:1 nkjv
"Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, You who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug.
Isaiah 51:1 niv
"Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn;
Isaiah 51:1 esv
"Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug.
Isaiah 51:1 nlt
"Listen to me, all who hope for deliverance ?
all who seek the LORD!
Consider the rock from which you were cut,
the quarry from which you were mined.
Isaiah 51 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 51:1 | Hearken to me, my people, and give ear to me, my nation; for from me shall proceed law, and my set-down justice for a light of the peoples. | Deut. 4:1 (Call to listen) |
| Isaiah 51:4 | Hearken to me, my people, and attend to me, my nation; for a law shall go forth from me, and my justice for a light of the peoples. | Psalm 78:1 (Remember God's law) |
| Isaiah 42:4 | He shall not be discouraged nor broken till he has set justice in the earth; and the islands shall wait for his law. | Psalm 33:4 (God's word endures) |
| Psalm 40:6 | Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened. | Ex. 19:5 (Obey God's voice) |
| Psalm 119:105 | Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. | John 1:9 (The true Light) |
| Acts 13:47 | For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. | Luke 2:32 (Light for revelation) |
| Romans 2:17 | Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God. | Rom. 9:4 (Israel's privileges) |
| Micah 4:2 | And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. | Jer. 3:15 (Shepherds after my heart) |
| Psalm 1:2 | But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. | John 5:39 (Search the Scriptures) |
| Isaiah 8:20 | To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. | 1 John 4:1 (Test the spirits) |
| John 1:14 | And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. | John 1:16 (Grace for grace) |
| Hebrews 8:6 | But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. | Heb. 7:22 (Surety of a better testament) |
| Isaiah 55:3 | Incline 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. | Acts 17:11 (Received the word gladly) |
| Jer. 31:33 | But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the LORD; I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. | Gal. 6:16 (Israel of God) |
| Deut. 30:19 | I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live. | Prov. 1:13 (Choose instruction) |
| John 10:27 | My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: | 1 Sam. 15:22 (Obedience is better) |
| Rev. 22:14 | Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. | Matt. 7:21 (Do the will of the Father) |
| Matt. 5:19 | Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. | 1 Cor. 7:19 (Keep commandments) |
| 1 Thess. 4:2 | For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. | John 14:15 (If ye love me, keep) |
| Luke 11:28 | But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. | James 1:25 (Doers of the word) |
Isaiah 51 verses
Isaiah 51 1 Meaning
Hearken, or listen intently, to me. This opening command directs the people to pay close attention to the message that follows. It signifies the importance of the words about to be spoken, urging a shift from casual listening to active, receptive hearing. The message is directed to those who pursue righteousness and seek the LORD, indicating that the promise is for the faithful and obedient.
Isaiah 51 1 Context
This verse opens chapter 51 of Isaiah, following the preceding chapter's focus on redemption and restoration. Chapter 50 concludes with Zion's perceived abandonment and distress, leading into chapter 51 with a call to heed God's words of comfort and guidance. The prophecy is directed to "my people" and "my nation," identifying the recipients as the covenant people of Israel. Historically, this chapter addresses the exilic and post-exilic period, offering hope and assurance amidst desolation and uncertainty. The themes of God's unwavering faithfulness, the establishment of justice, and the future salvation for both Israel and the Gentiles are central to the message.
Isaiah 51 1 Word Analysis
Hearken (Hebrew: Shema): This word means to hear, to listen, to obey. It's a strong imperative, calling for active, attentive reception of the message. It's a foundational concept in Judaism, signifying obedience and response to God's covenant.
me (Hebrew: ’aniy): First-person singular pronoun, emphasizing God as the source of the message.
my people (Hebrew: ‘ammiy): Refers to the covenant nation of Israel, emphasizing God's relationship and ownership.
give ear (Hebrew: ha’azinu): Similar to shema, it signifies giving attention, inclining the ear, and being willing to understand.
my nation (Hebrew: goyiy): Also refers to Israel, but from a national perspective, highlighting their identity and collective existence.
for from me (Hebrew: ki mimmeniy): Indicates the origin of the following pronouncements. God is the source of both law and justice.
shall proceed (Hebrew: yelech): From the verb halak, meaning to go, to walk, to proceed. It suggests an outgoing action or issuance from God.
law (Hebrew: torah): The Hebrew term for law, instruction, teaching, or divine guidance. It's not merely legal statutes but God's revealed will.
my set-down justice (Hebrew: mišpat ‘iqqev): "Set-down" implies established, fixed, or ordered. "Justice" ( mišpat) refers to righteousness, judgment, equity, and right conduct. This phrase denotes God's established righteous decrees.
for a light (Hebrew: l'or): To be a light, a source of illumination, guidance, and revelation.
of the peoples (Hebrew: l’ummim): Refers to the nations, indicating that God's law and justice are intended for a wider audience beyond Israel.
Words/Phrases Grouped Analysis:
- "Hearken to me, my people, and give ear to me, my nation": This repeated call to listen emphasizes the critical importance of receiving God's communication. It's a directive for Israel to internalize God's word.
- "for from me shall proceed law, and my set-down justice": This clause establishes God as the ultimate authority and source of divine governance and ethical principles. It contrasts with the fractured or corrupted systems of justice among nations.
- "for a light of the peoples": This signifies that God's revealed will is not exclusively for Israel but serves as a beacon of guidance and salvation for all humanity.
Isaiah 51 1 Bonus Section
The use of "law" (torah) and "justice" (mišpat) signifies God's complete system of guidance and governance. The "light" (or) further conveys the revelatory and illuminating nature of God's Word, contrasting with the darkness and confusion found in other systems or pagan deities. This verse lays the groundwork for the understanding of the New Covenant, where God's law is internalized (Jeremiah 31:33) and fulfilled in Christ, who is the living embodiment of God's truth and light (John 1:14, John 8:12). The ultimate fulfillment of "light of the peoples" is seen in Christ's commission to His disciples to be salt and light to the world (Matthew 5:13-16).
Isaiah 51 1 Commentary
Isaiah 51:1 is a pivotal declaration of God's foundational authority and His redemptive purpose. The emphatic call to "hearken" underscores that Israel must attentively receive and obey God's divine instruction and justice. This pronouncement highlights that true law and equitable judgment originate solely from Yahweh, serving not only His people but also as a guiding light for all nations. It points towards a universal aspect of God's plan, where His revealed will brings enlightenment and salvation to the world through His chosen people, foreshadowing the coming of Christ as the ultimate Light of the world.