Isaiah 56:4 kjv
For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
Isaiah 56:4 nkjv
For thus says the LORD: "To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, And choose what pleases Me, And hold fast My covenant,
Isaiah 56:4 niv
For this is what the LORD says: "To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant?
Isaiah 56:4 esv
For thus says the LORD: "To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant,
Isaiah 56:4 nlt
For this is what the LORD says:
I will bless those eunuchs
who keep my Sabbath days holy
and who choose to do what pleases me
and commit their lives to me.
Isaiah 56 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 56:4 | "For thus says the LORD: “To the eunuchs who keep My sabbaths..." | Isaiah 56:4 (Own Verse) |
| Matthew 19:12 | "...Some are eunuchs who have been so from birth... and some who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven." | Matthew 19:12 (Jesus' teaching) |
| Acts 8:26-38 | The Ethiopian eunuch's conversion | Acts 8:26-38 (Gentile inclusion) |
| Romans 2:13 | "...It is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified." | Romans 2:13 (Obedience is key) |
| Galatians 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." | Galatians 3:28 (Unity in Christ) |
| 1 Corinthians 7:14 | "For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband." | 1 Cor 7:14 (Spiritual status) |
| Deuteronomy 23:1-8 | Laws concerning eunuchs in the assembly | Deuteronomy 23:1-8 (Old law context) |
| Psalm 84:10 | "For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere..." | Psalm 84:10 (God's presence valued) |
| Psalm 135:5 | "For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods." | Psalm 135:5 (God's sovereignty) |
| Jeremiah 29:13 | "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." | Jeremiah 29:13 (Sincerity) |
| Matthew 5:19 | "Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven..." | Matthew 5:19 (Keeping commandments) |
| John 6:37 | "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out." | John 6:37 (Open invitation) |
| John 10:28-29 | "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." | John 10:28-29 (Security in Christ) |
| Hebrews 4:16 | "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." | Hebrews 4:16 (Access to God) |
| Revelation 3:20 | "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." | Revelation 3:20 (Personal invitation) |
| Isaiah 2:2 | "It shall come to pass in the latter days..." | Isaiah 2:2 (Latter days context) |
| Isaiah 60:7 | "...they shall come up with acceptance on my altar..." | Isaiah 60:7 (Acceptance) |
| Acts 10:34-35 | "So Peter opened his mouth and said, 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality...'" | Acts 10:34-35 (No favoritism) |
| 1 Peter 4:8 | "...above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." | 1 Peter 4:8 (Love as inclusion) |
| Psalm 68:18 | "You ascended the throne, receiving gifts among men..." | Psalm 68:18 (Ascension) |
| Ephesians 2:13 | "But now in Christ Jesus you who were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." | Ephesians 2:13 (Bringing near) |
| Revelation 7:9-10 | "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages..." | Revelation 7:9-10 (Universal scope) |
Isaiah 56 verses
Isaiah 56 4 Meaning
This verse describes God's affirmation of eunuchs who faithfully observe His covenant and choose what pleases Him. It promises them a place within God's house and a memorial lasting longer than sons and daughters. This is a significant statement of inclusion, extending God's favor beyond traditional boundaries.
Isaiah 56 4 Context
This verse is part of a larger section in Isaiah 56-66, which is often called "Second Isaiah" or "Trito-Isaiah," dealing with themes of restoration, justice, and the inclusion of foreigners and marginalized groups in God's covenant after the Babylonian exile. Chapter 56 specifically addresses the continuation of the covenant amidst changing societal structures and emphasizes that faithfulness to God's law is paramount, superseding physical limitations or social status. The prophet speaks about God’s house being a house of prayer for all nations, a concept expanded upon in the New Testament.
Isaiah 56 4 Word analysis
- "For thus says the LORD:" (כִּ֚י כֹּה אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה, kī kōh ’āmar YHWH) - A common prophetic formula, asserting divine authority and the origin of the message. YHWH is the personal covenant name of God.
- "To the eunuchs" (לַסּוּסִ֗ים, las-sū·sīm) - The Hebrew word here is often translated as eunuchs, referring to castrated males, or men who, for various reasons, are unable to have natural offspring. Historically, in some cultures, eunuchs held significant positions, while in Mosaic law, they were restricted from full participation in the assembly of Israel (Deuteronomy 23:1). This verse marks a shift in that.
- "who keep My sabbaths," (הַשֹּׁמְרִ֥ים אֶת־שַׁבְּתוֹתַ֖י, haš·šō·mə·rîm ’et-šab·bə·tō·ṯay) - This emphasizes active obedience and observance of the Sabbath, a core sign of the covenant. It's not passive belonging but diligent participation. The plural "Sabbaths" may refer to regular Sabbath days or include other appointed holy days.
- "and choose what pleases Me," (וּבוֹחֲרִ֥ים בְּחֶפְצִ֖י, ū·ḇō·ḥă·rîm bə·ḥep·ṣî) - "Choose" (בָּחַר, bāḥar) implies intentional selection and commitment. "What pleases Me" (חֵפֶץ, ḥep̄eṣ) refers to God's will, desire, or good pleasure. This highlights the importance of an inner disposition and a life lived in accordance with God's will.
- "and hold fast My covenant." (וּמַחֲזִיקִ֣ים בִּבְרִיתִ֑י, ū·ma·ḥă·zî·qîm bib·rî·ṯî) - "Hold fast" (חָזַק, ḥā·zaq) signifies to grasp firmly, to adhere to, or to support. It denotes a strong, persistent commitment to the covenant relationship with God.
Words Group Analysis:
- "the eunuchs who keep My sabbaths, and choose what pleases Me, and hold fast My covenant": This phrase groups together the qualifications for divine favor. It's not about a biological or social category but about the actions of faithfulness: keeping God's commanded days, actively choosing His will, and remaining committed to His covenant.
Isaiah 56 4 Bonus section
This verse can be seen as a profound shift in God's relationship with humanity. The Old Testament Law had certain restrictions regarding eunuchs in the covenant community, rooted in cultural practices and the preservation of Israel's identity. However, prophets like Isaiah consistently point towards a future, broader inclusion. The New Testament, particularly in Acts and Paul's epistles, reveals the fulfillment of this inclusivity in Christ, where those who were once considered "outside" or "other" are brought in through faith. Jesus' own words about "eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven" in Matthew 19:12 echo this theme of voluntary commitment superseding physical or societal norms. The "memorial" spoken of signifies an everlasting remembrance in God's presence, a spiritual heritage.
Isaiah 56 4 Commentary
This prophecy offers a radical inclusivity in God's kingdom. It signifies that faithfulness and devotion are the true marks of belonging, not physical condition or social standing. God declares that eunuchs who actively obey His commands, delight in His will, and remain steadfast in His covenant will receive a unique and honored place in His presence. Their devotion will be more enduring than sons and daughters, suggesting that their spiritual legacy through faithfulness will be eternally remembered. This foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on spiritual sonship over biological lineage, and the universal nature of salvation available to all who believe.