Isaiah 58 11

Isaiah 58:11 kjv

And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

Isaiah 58:11 nkjv

The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 58:11 niv

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Isaiah 58:11 esv

And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 58:11 nlt

The LORD will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.

Isaiah 58 verses

Isaiah 58 11 Meaning

Isaiah 58:11 is a profound promise from God, affirming His steadfast commitment to those who practice true righteousness, as outlined in the preceding verses of the chapter. It assures divine guidance that is constant and unwavering, a deep satisfaction for the soul even amidst life's harshest and most desolate challenges, and the renewal of one's core strength. Furthermore, it metaphorically describes such an individual as a vibrant, abundantly watered garden and a perpetually flowing spring, symbolizing a life of continuous spiritual growth, abundant fruitfulness, and an inexhaustible source of refreshing and vitality.

Isaiah 58 11 Context

Isaiah 58 primarily addresses the nation of Israel, specifically concerning their practice of "fasting." The chapter opens with a strong rebuke, where God critiques their hypocrisy: they observed outward religious rituals but their hearts were far from Him, marked by injustice, oppression, and self-serving motives (vv. 1-5). God reveals that He desires not a ritualistic fast, but one that leads to acts of justice, compassion, and generosity towards the needy (vv. 6-7). Verse 11 is part of a series of promises (vv. 8-14) given to those who heed this call, shifting from mere religious performance to a lifestyle reflecting genuine righteousness. The historical context reflects a time when Israel often sought to please God through external observances while failing in their social and ethical responsibilities. The imagery of "scorched places" and "watered garden" would have deeply resonated in an arid, drought-prone land, symbolizing both their present suffering due to disobedience and God's promised restoration and abundance.

Isaiah 58 11 Word analysis

• And the LORD: (Heb. w'YHWH - wə-Yahweh) Signifies God's personal covenant name, emphasizing His unchanging, faithful character as the source of these absolute promises.

• will guide: (Heb. naḥāh - naḥah) Conveys leading, directing, or shepherding. It denotes God's active, intimate, and continuous involvement in a person's life, showing them the right path and caring for them along the way.

• you continually: (Heb. tāmîḏ - tamid) Means always, regularly, without interruption. This reinforces the unending and consistent nature of God's guidance, regardless of circumstances.

• and satisfy your soul: (Heb. wəśiśbiaʿ naphšekā - wəśibia nafšekā) "Satisfy" (śabaʿ) means to be filled to abundance, while "soul" (nep̄eš) encompasses the entire inner being, desires, and vital life force. It promises deep, inner contentment and spiritual fulfillment beyond mere physical needs.

• in scorched places: (Heb. bəṣiḥṣāḥôt - bə-tzih-tzah-chot) Literally "in parched/arid places." This vividly represents situations of hardship, desolation, trials, or spiritual dryness, promising sustenance even in the direst conditions.

• and strengthen your bones: (Heb. waʿaṣəmotêkā yeḥazêq - wa'atz'motékha yeḥazék) "Strengthen" (ḥāzaq) means to empower, make firm. "Bones" (ʿaṣāmôt) symbolize the very core of one's being, representing health, vigor, and fundamental resilience. It signifies robust physical well-being and profound inner fortitude.

• And you shall be like: This phrase introduces a metaphorical comparison, highlighting the transformative outcome of God's blessing.

• a watered garden: (Heb. kegan ravveh - kə-gan ravveh) A garden in an arid land symbolized beauty, provision, and luxury. "Watered" (ravah) signifies abundant irrigation. This represents a life of continuous spiritual flourishing, fruitfulness, beauty, and renewal, independent of external conditions.

• like a spring of water: (Heb. ūḵemôṣāʾ mayim - u-k'mo-tza mayim) A spring is a naturally flowing source, fresh and consistent. This points to an intrinsic, God-given source of spiritual life and refreshment.

• whose waters do not fail: (Heb. ʾăšer lôʾ yḵazzēbûn mêmāyw - asher lo' yechazvu maymav) "Do not fail" (kāzāb) means not to disappoint, not to dry up, or be false. This crucial detail assures an unending, reliable, and abundant supply of divine grace, strength, and spiritual vitality, ensuring continuous fruitfulness and vitality.

• "The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in scorched places": This powerful pairing underscores God's personal and uninterrupted care. It demonstrates His ability to provide deep internal peace and contentment even when external circumstances are utterly desolate and challenging, transcending hardship.

• "and strengthen your bones; and you shall be like a watered garden": This group highlights a holistic transformation: from deep inner physical/spiritual strengthening to an outward manifestation of lush growth, vitality, and productivity, indicating a life empowered to thrive and contribute.

• "like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail": This climactic imagery paints the picture of the believer not merely as receiving refreshment, but becoming a perennial, self-renewing source of life and blessing, resilient against spiritual drought and continually flowing for the benefit of others.

Isaiah 58 11 Bonus section

• The promise "whose waters do not fail" carries significant weight in an ancient Near Eastern context, where agricultural success and human survival were entirely dependent on reliable water sources. It guarantees immunity to spiritual and existential drought.
• This verse can be understood as part of a larger theme in Isaiah (e.g., Isa 44:3, 49:10) where God's ultimate salvation and provision are linked to life-giving water, a promise that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ (John 7:38) and the Holy Spirit.
• The progression of imagery—from being personally guided and satisfied to becoming a garden and a spring—highlights that the blessings received from God enable the righteous to then become channels of blessing for the world around them, contributing to the restoration promised later in the chapter (Isa 58:12).
• Scholars often note that the "bones" not only signify physical strength but are deeply connected to the concept of one's fundamental vigor, health, and deepest sense of self in Hebrew thought. Strengthening the bones is a restoration of one's essential being.

Isaiah 58 11 Commentary

Isaiah 58:11 beautifully encapsulates the lavish blessings bestowed by God upon those who engage in genuine worship expressed through compassionate, righteous living, contrasting sharply with hypocritical rituals. It offers a comprehensive vision of well-being that begins with the steadfast and unbroken guidance of the covenant-keeping God. This divine leading brings profound inner satisfaction to the very core of one's being, particularly impactful even within "scorched places"—those barren and challenging seasons of life where human resources fail. Furthermore, God promises to invigorate and strengthen the individual, physically and spiritually, at the deepest level. The resulting life is then likened to two vivid, life-giving images: a watered garden that flourishes perpetually, symbolizing abundant growth, fruitfulness, and beauty, and an unfailing spring of water, representing an internal, constant, and inexhaustible source of spiritual vitality, grace, and refreshment that neither depletes nor disappoints. This verse assures believers that their sincere obedience leads to a life of dynamic provision, resilience, and spiritual overflow, making them a consistent blessing to themselves and others.

• Examples: A person enduring prolonged suffering but demonstrating an unshakeable inner peace (satisfaction in scorched places); an individual in ministry consistently serving with renewed energy, never burning out (strengthening of bones, like a spring); a church community that is a constant source of hope and practical aid in its neighborhood, drawing many to God (like a watered garden, whose waters do not fail).