Isaiah 56 4

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 verses

Isaiah 56 4 meaning

Isaiah 56:4 proclaims a revolutionary promise from God, stating that eunuchs who faithfully obey His commands, specifically by honoring His Sabbaths, deliberately choosing what pleases Him, and steadfastly adhering to His covenant, will be accepted and blessed by the Lord. This divine declaration offers a counter-narrative to traditional exclusions, emphasizing that spiritual commitment and devoted obedience take precedence over physical condition or societal standing for inclusion in God's community.

Isaiah 56 4 Context

Isaiah 56 is situated in the broader context of prophetic messages, often categorized as "Third Isaiah" (chapters 56-66), addressing issues for the post-exilic community returning to Jerusalem or providing vision for God's future kingdom. This chapter specifically calls for justice and righteousness (56:1) and celebrates those who uphold God's ways, particularly Sabbath observance (56:2). It immediately follows a promise of universal salvation (Isa 55) and precedes further declarations of God's inclusive future. Importantly, verses 3 and 6 speak to the inclusion of "foreigners," setting the stage for the equally profound inclusion of eunuchs in verse 4. Historically, Deuteronomy 23:1 expressly prohibited eunuchs from entering "the assembly of the LORD," making Isaiah's message a powerful reversal that foreshadows a more expansive definition of God's people, one not bound by physical status but by faithful allegiance.

Isaiah 56 4 Word analysis

• For thus says the Lord: This opening emphasizes the absolute authority and divine origin of the message. Hebrew: Yahweh (יהוה), the personal covenantal name of God, indicating a faithful declaration from the God who keeps His promises.
• to the eunuchs: Hebrew: la-sarisim (לַסָּרִיסִים). The term saris most commonly refers to a castrated male, and ancient Near Eastern practice frequently employed eunuchs in royal courts. Crucially, Deuteronomic law (Dt 23:1) explicitly barred them from full participation in Israel's assembly due to their physical condition, which in some interpretations related to completeness or purity. This makes God's address to them deeply significant as a profound reversal of exclusion.
• who keep My Sabbaths: Hebrew: asher yishmeru et-Shabbatotai (אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁמְרוּ אֶת־שַׁבְּתוֹתַי). Shamar (שׁמר) means to guard, observe, or carefully preserve. Sabbath-keeping was a fundamental sign of the covenant (Ex 31:13) and a test of obedience, distinguishing God's people. It signifies not merely ritualistic observance, but faithful, intentional adherence to God's holy rhythms and commands.
• who choose what pleases Me: Hebrew: u-vaḥaru ba'asher ḥafaẓti (וּבָחֲרוּ בַּאֲשֶׁר חָפָצְתִּי). Bakhar (בחר) means to select or prefer, and chafetz (חפץ) means to delight in or desire. This phrase goes beyond outward compliance; it speaks to the inner will and motivation. It implies a heartfelt decision to align one's desires and actions with God's perfect will, actively seeking to delight Him.
• and hold fast My covenant: Hebrew: u-maḥaziqim bi-vriti (וּמַחֲזִיקִים בִּבְרִיתִי). Ḥazaq (חזק) conveys the idea of grasping firmly, strengthening, or holding tenaciously. Berit (ברית) signifies a solemn pact or covenant. This describes steadfast loyalty and unwavering commitment to the terms, relationship, and responsibilities established by God's covenant, emphasizing perseverance in faithful living.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "to the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths": This phrase boldly contrasts traditional disqualification with God's new criteria for acceptance. It shows that even those marginalized by physical and societal norms can be fully embraced by God if their heart's devotion is expressed through active obedience to His most significant covenant markers.
• "who choose what pleases Me, and hold fast My covenant": These two closely linked descriptions delineate the character of genuine, internal devotion. "Choose what pleases Me" highlights personal volition and moral alignment with God's desires. "Hold fast My covenant" describes the enduring and steadfast commitment required to maintain an active and loyal relationship with Him. Together, they form a robust picture of true faith—one rooted in deliberate action and sustained loyalty.

Isaiah 56 4 Bonus section

The promise of God in Isaiah 56:4-5 is particularly profound because eunuchs, by definition, could not perpetuate a family line—a primary source of blessing and identity in ancient Israel. In directly countering this perceived curse of barrenness, God's assurance of giving them "a name better than sons and daughters" and "an everlasting name that will not be cut off" (Isa 56:5) offers a profound redefinition of legacy and significance. This spiritual legacy, superior to any physical progeny, underscores the New Testament truth that true lineage is through faith in Christ and being born of God (Jn 1:12-13). It symbolizes God's capacity to transcend all human limitations and to provide spiritual fulfillment where biological or societal pathways are closed, ensuring that every faithful heart finds eternal honor in His house. The fulfillment found in the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 further solidifies this message of inclusion for all who seek and serve the Lord faithfully, regardless of their status.

Isaiah 56 4 Commentary

Isaiah 56:4 marks a radical departure from conventional understanding, establishing that God's favor is not predicated on human physical characteristics or lineage but on heartfelt, obedient devotion. This divine declaration counters rigid interpretations of the law, such as the exclusion of eunuchs (Dt 23:1), by declaring full acceptance for those who embrace His divine principles. The emphasis lies on sincere engagement with God’s commands (keeping Sabbaths), intentional alignment with His will (choosing what pleases Him), and unwavering loyalty to His sacred bond (holding fast My covenant). This verse, therefore, prefigures the universal inclusion offered through the New Covenant, where spiritual faithfulness transcends all ethnic, social, and physical boundaries, establishing true worth based on one’s relationship with the living God.

• Examples:
  • Individuals with non-conforming social or physical identities finding full acceptance and purpose within a Christ-centered community.
  • Those who, despite societal challenges or historical injustices, commit to living righteously and honoring God above all.
  • Believers whose life choices are driven by a conscious desire to honor God's word and actively seek His will.