Isaiah 55 5

Isaiah 55:5 kjv

Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

Isaiah 55:5 nkjv

Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, And nations who do not know you shall run to you, Because of the LORD your God, And the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you."

Isaiah 55:5 niv

Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor."

Isaiah 55:5 esv

Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.

Isaiah 55:5 nlt

You also will command nations you do not know,
and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey,
because I, the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious."

Isaiah 55 verses

Isaiah 55 5 meaning

Isaiah 55:5 prophesies a profound future for "you," identified in context as the "servant," the "leader and commander to the peoples" from verse 4, or more broadly, a restored Israel/Messianic figure. This figure, exalted by the Lord, will draw previously unknown nations to acknowledge God. Conversely, nations who never knew "you" or the God of Israel will eagerly flock for understanding and salvation, all due to the power and glorification bestowed by the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. It foretells a global recognition of God's redemptive work through a chosen instrument.

Isaiah 55 5 Context

Isaiah 55 is a passionate invitation from the Lord, following chapters of prophetic lament and then hope regarding Israel's future. It assures those in exile (or anticipating a return) that God's covenant promises are immutable. The chapter opens with an offer of free, abundant salvation ("water, wine, milk" - vv. 1-2) to the spiritually hungry, contrasting divine wisdom with human striving. Verse 3 then emphasizes the everlasting covenant, the "sure mercies of David." Verse 4 identifies a central figure—the Davidic King or Servant Messiah—who will be a "witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples." Verse 5 immediately follows, elaborating on how this "leader and commander" (the "you" of v.5) will fulfill his role among the nations: through the Lord's glorification, leading nations, known and unknown, to Him. The immediate context of Isa 55:3-4 strongly suggests the "you" of verse 5 refers to this Messianic Davidic figure or a glorified, renewed Israel represented by such a figure. It shifts the focus from Israel's immediate return to a broader, global redemptive purpose centered on God's chosen instrument.

Isaiah 55 5 Word analysis

• Behold (הֵן, hen): An interjection signaling something momentous, a fresh disclosure, or a strong assurance is about to be revealed. It demands attention and underlines the certainty of the prophecy.
• you (אַתָּה, ’atta): This pronoun is crucial. In the immediate context of Isa 55:3-4, the "you" points back to the "David" figure who is designated "a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples." The broader scope of Isaiah, especially chapters 40-55, suggests a collective "Servant Israel" or more pointedly, the individual Messianic "Servant" through whom Israel's mission is ultimately fulfilled. This "you" is the one God chooses to exalt.
• shall call (תִּקְרָא, tikra'): Qal imperfect verb, implying active initiation. This "you" will actively summon, invite, or proclaim. It’s not passive; it is a divinely empowered outreach, a voice carrying authority and divine intent.
• a nation (גּוֹי, goy): Singular, refers to a non-Israelite people or group. Emphasizes specific, targeted outreach even to those previously disconnected.
• that you do not know (לֹא יָדָעְתָּ, lo yada’ta): Emphasizes the utter unfamiliarity between "you" and this nation. It highlights the vast, global reach of the prophecy, transcending prior relationships, culture, or geography. The connection will be initiated by God through "you."
• and nations (וְגוֹיִם, wěgoyim): Plural, broader than the singular "nation." This shows a widespread, sweeping movement.
• that did not know you (וְלֹא יְדָעוּךָ, wělo yeda'ukha): Mirroring the first phrase, but now from the nations' perspective. They had no prior acquaintance or relationship with "you" or with "your" God. This underlines the spontaneous and divinely orchestrated nature of their coming.
• shall run to you (יָרוּצוּ אֵלֶיךָ, yarutzu ’elekha): The verb yarutzu (run) in Hiphil imperfect denotes swift, eager, and purposeful movement. It's not a reluctant crawl but an enthusiastic surge, driven by an inner compulsion to seek out this chosen "you."
• because of the Lord your God (לְמַעַן יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, lema‘an YHWH ’Elohekha): "Because of" or "for the sake of." This phrase attributes the entire movement and drawing of nations to YHWH, the personal covenant God of "you." It reveals the divine purpose and underlying cause. It underscores that "you" are an instrument, not the ultimate source of attraction.
• and for the Holy One of Israel (וְלִקְדוֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל, wěliQedosh Yisrael): A significant title in Isaiah, emphasizing God's unique transcendent holiness and His special relationship with Israel. This reiterates the divine nature of the magnet attracting nations. The nations come not just because of a person, but because of the God this person represents.
• for he has glorified you (כִּי פֵאֲרָךְ, ki pe’arakha): This is the ultimate reason. Pe’arakha (Piel perfect) means to beautify, honor, or glorify. God Himself has honored, made splendid, or given glory to "you," making "you" attractive and compelling to the nations. This glorification isn't for "your" own sake but to fulfill God's broader redemptive plan.

Isaiah 55 5 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on nations "not knowing you" and "you not knowing nations" underscores the miraculous nature of this future gathering. It bypasses conventional diplomacy, cultural affinity, or conquest, instead hinging solely on divine glorification and spiritual attraction. This prophecy presents a polemic against the worldview where the gods were localized or where international relations were primarily driven by military might. Here, the unique God of Israel, the Holy One, extends His influence globally not through force, but through the irresistible appeal of His truth and the glory He bestows upon His Servant. This movement to Him also implicitly means a turning away from all other idols and false deities, aligning with the "come to me and live" message prevalent in Isaiah 55.

Isaiah 55 5 Commentary

Isaiah 55:5 stands as a glorious prophecy of God's universal reach through His chosen vessel. Following the promise of the sure mercies of David in the Messianic era, this verse paints a vivid picture of the ultimate outcome: a global acknowledgment of God. The identity of "you" is central, generally understood to be the Messianic figure or a Spirit-empowered Israel that fully embodies its prophetic mission. It is a striking reversal from an era where Israel often struggled to maintain its own faith, promising a time when they (or their Messianic representative) become a magnetic force, drawing nations—both those already encountered and those completely foreign—to the God of Israel.

This movement is entirely God-initiated and God-centered. Nations don't seek "you" for earthly power or advantage, but "because of the Lord your God, and for the Holy One of Israel." Their eagerness to "run" highlights the spiritual thirst and the irresistible draw of God's manifested glory through His instrument. The phrase "for he has glorified you" pinpoints divine action as the source of "your" attraction. This points directly to the ultimate glorification of Jesus Christ (the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant and the Suffering Servant), who, being "lifted up," draws all people to Himself, thereby revealing the glory of the Father to the ends of the earth. The church, as Christ's body, then participates in this mission of drawing people to the glorified One.