Isaiah 51:4 kjv
Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.
Isaiah 51:4 nkjv
"Listen to Me, My people; And give ear to Me, O My nation: For law will proceed from Me, And I will make My justice rest As a light of the peoples.
Isaiah 51:4 niv
"Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation: Instruction will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations.
Isaiah 51:4 esv
"Give attention to me, my people, and give ear to me, my nation; for a law will go out from me, and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples.
Isaiah 51:4 nlt
"Listen to me, my people.
Hear me, Israel,
for my law will be proclaimed,
and my justice will become a light to the nations.
Isaiah 51 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 51:4 | Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. | Main Verse |
| Isa 2:3 | And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. | Law proceeds from Zion/Jerusalem |
| Isa 42:4 | He shall not be faint nor discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. | Law for the nations, awaiting Messiah |
| Isa 49:6 | And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. | Salvation and light to the Gentiles |
| Luke 2:32 | A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. | Christ as light to Gentiles |
| Acts 13:47 | For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light unto the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. | Gentile salvation through Messiah |
| John 1:9 | That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. | Christ, the true Light |
| John 3:16 | For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. | Universal salvation through belief |
| Rom 2:14-15 | For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) | Law written on hearts |
| Rom 3:21-22 | But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: | Righteousness of God through faith |
| Rom 10:4 | For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. | Christ, fulfillment of the law |
| 1 Peter 1:10-11 | Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. | Prophets testified of salvation |
| Revelation 21:23 | And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, and see it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. | God and Lamb as light in New Jerusalem |
| Genesis 1:3 | And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. | God as the source of light |
| Psalms 119:105 | Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. | God's word as light |
| Titus 2:11 | For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, | Grace of God for all salvation |
| Hebrews 8:10 | For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: | New Covenant, laws written internally |
| Jeremiah 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. | Jeremiah's prophecy of the New Covenant |
| Matthew 5:14 | Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. | Believers as light |
| Romans 1:17 | For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. | Righteousness by faith |
Isaiah 51 verses
Isaiah 51 4 Meaning
The people of Israel are called to pay attention because the Lord's judgment is complete, and His salvation will be revealed to all nations. His righteousness and salvation are everlasting.
Isaiah 51 4 Context
Isaiah 51:1-3 provides the immediate context, calling the exiles to listen to God’s promise of restoration after a period of judgment. The people are urged to remember their lineage from Abraham and Sarah, whose barrenness was overcome by God's power, assuring them of future fruitfulness and deliverance from oppression. Verse 4 then pivots to the universal significance of this deliverance, revealing that God's divine instruction ("law") and His saving justice will extend beyond Israel to enlighten all the peoples of the earth. The chapter builds on themes of redemption, restoration, and the expansion of God's salvific plan to the nations, a recurring message throughout Isaiah, particularly concerning the Servant of the Lord.
Isaiah 51 4 Word Analysis
- Hearken (Shema): A command meaning "to hear" but with an emphasis on attentive listening and obedience. It's a pivotal word in Jewish liturgy and covenant.
- unto me: Directs attention specifically to God's speaker.
- my people (Ami): Refers to Israel, emphasizing the covenant relationship.
- give ear (U’ha'azinu): Similar to hearken, reinforcing the call for serious attention and reception of God's word.
- O my nation (Goy Li): Again, reinforcing the covenant relationship and God's ownership of Israel as His people.
- for: Indicates a reason or basis for the preceding exhortation.
- a law (Mishpat): In this context, "mishpat" can mean judgment, ordinance, or righteous decree. It signifies divine instruction and justice.
- shall proceed from me: Originates directly from God, implying authority and divine pronouncement.
- make my judgment (Mishpatai): God’s righteous decisions, justice, and acts of vindication.
- to rest (La'chukat): Can imply a "statute" or a fixed decree that is established and will endure. It is not passive but signifies a settled purpose.
- for a light (Le'or): For illumination, understanding, and guidance.
- of the people (La'amim): Pertains to the nations, indicating a universal outreach of God's law and justice.
Words Group Analysis
- "Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation": This phrase powerfully encapsulates the covenant relationship, calling for attentive obedience from God's chosen people, reinforcing His exclusive claim and their responsibility to Him.
- "for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people": This signifies a foundational, unchangeable divine decree that will serve as a guiding revelation and salvific justice for all nations, pointing to God's ultimate plan for universal blessing.
Isaiah 51 4 Bonus Section
The concept of God's "law" proceeding from Zion (Isaiah 2:3) is fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, who embodies the Law and brings divine teaching and salvation to all peoples. The term "judgment" here, rendered from "mishpat," carries both the sense of righteous legal decree and benevolent acts of salvation. This highlights that God's justice is not merely punitive but redemptive, bringing light to those in darkness. The universality implied by "the people" (referring to nations) points forward to the church age and the Gentile mission, a theme further elaborated in the New Testament. The steadfastness of God’s judgment ("to rest") underscores its permanent, reliable nature, a stark contrast to the shifting allegiances and powerless idols of the nations.
Isaiah 51 4 Commentary
This verse announces a decisive turning point in God's interaction with His people and the world. God calls Israel to listen because a divine mandate is about to be established. This isn't just about His people; it’s a salvific pronouncement that will illuminate the nations. His "law" or righteous decree is established, bringing His justice as a guiding light. This anticipates the New Covenant where God's will is internalised, and the work of Christ brings salvation and understanding to all, Jew and Gentile alike. The 'light' signifies revelation, guidance, and ultimately salvation through God’s just actions.