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Isaiah 56

BSB·12 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1This is whatכֹּ֚הkōh — thus, so, in this mannerH3541 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saysאָמַ֣ר’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →: “Maintainשִׁמְר֥וּšim·rū — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → justiceמִשְׁפָּ֖טmiš·pāṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study → and doוַעֲשׂ֣וּwa·‘ă·śū — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → what is rightצְדָקָ֑הṣə·ḏā·qāh — Righteousness, justice, right conductH6666 — Full Word Study →, forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → My salvationיְשֽׁוּעָתִי֙yə·šū·‘ā·ṯî — Deliverance, salvation, rescue from dangerH3444 — Full Word Study → is comingלָב֔וֹאlā·ḇō·w — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → soonקְרוֹבָ֤הqə·rō·w·ḇāh — Near; close in space, time, or relationshipH7138 — Full Word Study →, and My righteousnessוְצִדְקָתִ֖יwə·ṣiḏ·qā·ṯî — Righteousness, justice, right conductH6666 — Full Word Study → will be revealedלְהִגָּלֽוֹת׃lə·hig·gā·lō·wṯ — HeglamH1540 — Full Word Study →. 2Blessedאַשְׁרֵ֤י’aš·rê — blessed, happy, fortunateH835 — Full Word Study → is the manאֱנוֹשׁ֙’ĕ·nō·wōš — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → who doesיַעֲשֶׂה־ya·‘ă·śeh- — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → thisזֹּ֔אתzōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study →, and the sonוּבֶן־ū·ḇen- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of manאָדָ֖ם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → who holds it fastיַחֲזִ֣יקya·ḥă·zîq — To strengthen, make firm, establishH2388 — Full Word Study →, who keepsשֹׁמֵ֤רšō·mêr — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → the Sabbathשַׁבָּת֙šab·bāṯ — Rest dayH7676 — Full Word Study → without profaning itמֵֽחַלְּל֔וֹmê·ḥal·lə·lōw — to profane, defile, or beginH2490 — Full Word Study → and keepsוְשֹׁמֵ֥רwə·šō·mêr — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → his handיָד֖וֹyā·ḏōw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → from doingמֵעֲשׂ֥וֹתmê·‘ă·śō·wṯ — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → anyכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → evilרָֽע׃סrā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →.” 3Let noוְאַל־wə·’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → foreignerבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → who has joined himselfהַנִּלְוָ֤הhan·nil·wāh — To join, unite, or borrow; to cleave togetherH3867 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → sayיֹאמַ֣רyō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “The LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → will utterly exclude meהַבְדֵּ֧לhaḇ·dêl — To separate, divide, or distinguishH914 — Full Word Study → fromמֵעַ֣לmê·‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → His peopleעַמּ֑וֹ‘am·mōw — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →.” And let the eunuchהַסָּרִ֔יסhas·sā·rîs — eunuch; court official or chamberlainH5631 — Full Word Study → notוְאַל־wə·’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → sayיֹאמַר֙yō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Iאֲנִ֖י’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → am butהֵ֥ןhên — Look! Behold! — an attention-directing particleH2005 — Full Word Study → a dryיָבֵֽשׁ׃סyā·ḇêš — Dry, dried up, witheredH3002 — Full Word Study → treeעֵ֥ץ‘êṣ — Tree; wood; timberH6086 — Full Word Study →.” 4Forכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → this is whatכֹ֣ה׀ḵōh — thus, so, in this mannerH3541 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saysאָמַ֣ר’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →: “To the eunuchsלַסָּֽרִיסִים֙las·sā·rî·sîm — eunuch; court official or chamberlainH5631 — Full Word Study → whoאֲשֶׁ֤ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → keepיִשְׁמְרוּ֙yiš·mə·rū — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → My Sabbathsשַׁבְּתוֹתַ֔יšab·bə·ṯō·w·ṯay — Rest dayH7676 — Full Word Study →, who chooseוּבָֽחֲר֖וּū·ḇā·ḥă·rū — To choose, select, or preferH977 — Full Word Study → whatבַּאֲשֶׁ֣רba·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → pleases Meחָפָ֑צְתִּיḥā·p̄ā·ṣə·tî — to delight in; to desire; to take pleasureH2654 — Full Word Study → and hold fastוּמַחֲזִיקִ֖יםū·ma·ḥă·zî·qîm — To strengthen, make firm, establishH2388 — Full Word Study → to My covenantבִּבְרִיתִֽי׃biḇ·rî·ṯî — A binding agreement or covenant between partiesH1285 — Full Word Study → 5I will giveוְנָתַתִּ֨יwə·nā·ṯat·tî — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → them, in My houseבְּבֵיתִ֤יbə·ḇê·ṯî — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → and within My wallsוּבְחֽוֹמֹתַי֙ū·ḇə·ḥō·w·mō·ṯay — A fortified wall or defensive barrierH2346 — Full Word Study →, a memorialיָ֣דyāḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → and a nameוָשֵׁ֔םwā·šêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → better thanט֖וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → that of sonsמִבָּנִ֣יםmib·bā·nîm — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → and daughtersוּמִבָּנ֑וֹתū·mib·bā·nō·wṯ — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study →. I will giveאֶתֶּן־’et·ten- — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → them an everlastingעוֹלָם֙‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study → nameשֵׁ֤םšêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֖ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → will notלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → be cut offיִכָּרֵֽת׃סyik·kā·rêṯ — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study →. 6And the foreignersוּבְנֵ֣יū·ḇə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → who joinהַנִּלְוִ֤יםhan·nil·wîm — To join, unite, or borrow; to cleave togetherH3867 — Full Word Study → themselves toעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → to minister to Himלְשָׁ֣רְת֔וֹlə·šā·rə·ṯōw — to minister, serve, or attendH8334 — Full Word Study →, to loveוּֽלְאַהֲבָה֙ū·lə·’a·hă·ḇāh — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study → the nameשֵׁ֣םšêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, and to beלִהְי֥וֹתlih·yō·wṯ — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → His servantsלַעֲבָדִ֑יםla·‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study →allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → who keepשֹׁמֵ֤רšō·mêr — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → the Sabbathשַׁבָּת֙šab·bāṯ — Rest dayH7676 — Full Word Study → without profaning itמֵֽחַלְּל֔וֹmê·ḥal·lə·lōw — to profane, defile, or beginH2490 — Full Word Study → and who hold fastוּמַחֲזִיקִ֖יםū·ma·ḥă·zî·qîm — To strengthen, make firm, establishH2388 — Full Word Study → to My covenantבִּבְרִיתִֽי׃biḇ·rî·ṯî — A binding agreement or covenant between partiesH1285 — Full Word Study → 7I will bring themוַהֲבִיאוֹתִ֞יםwa·hă·ḇî·’ō·w·ṯîm — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → My holyקָדְשִׁ֗יqāḏ·šî — Holiness, sacred, consecrated, set apartH6944 — Full Word Study → mountainהַ֣רhar — Mountain, hill, or elevated land massH2022 — Full Word Study → and make them joyfulוְשִׂמַּחְתִּים֙wə·śim·maḥ·tîm — To rejoice, be glad, make merryH8055 — Full Word Study → in My houseבְּבֵ֣יתbə·ḇêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of prayerתְּפִלָּתִ֔יtə·p̄il·lā·ṯî — Prayer; formal or spontaneous petition to GodH8605 — Full Word Study →. Their burnt offeringsעוֹלֹתֵיהֶ֧ם‘ō·w·lō·ṯê·hem — burnt offering; ascending sacrificeH5930 — Full Word Study → and sacrificesוְזִבְחֵיהֶ֛םwə·ziḇ·ḥê·hem — sacrificial offering; animal sacrificeH2077 — Full Word Study → will be acceptedלְרָצ֖וֹןlə·rā·ṣō·wn — Favor, pleasure, or acceptable willH7522 — Full Word Study → onעַֽל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → My altarמִזְבְּחִ֑יmiz·bə·ḥî — altar; place of sacrifice and worshipH4196 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → My houseבֵיתִ֔יḇê·ṯî — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → will be calledיִקָּרֵ֖אyiq·qā·rê — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → a houseבֵּית־bêṯ- — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of prayerתְּפִלָּ֥הtə·p̄il·lāh — Prayer; formal or spontaneous petition to GodH8605 — Full Word Study → for allלְכָל־lə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the nationsהָעַמִּֽים׃hā·‘am·mîm — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →.” 8Thus declaresנְאֻם֙nə·’um — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → the Lordאֲדֹנָ֣י’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study → GODיְהוִ֔הYah·weh — The LORD, the covenant God of IsraelH3069 — Full Word Study →, who gathersמְקַבֵּ֖ץmə·qab·bêṣ — to gather, assemble, or collect togetherH6908 — Full Word Study → the dispersedנִדְחֵ֣יniḏ·ḥê — to drive away, banish, or thrust outH5080 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →: “I will gatherאֲקַבֵּ֥ץ’ă·qab·bêṣ — to gather, assemble, or collect togetherH6908 — Full Word Study → to themעָלָ֖יו‘ā·lāw — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → still othersע֛וֹד‘ō·wḏ — still, yet, again, continuing or additional occurrenceH5750 — Full Word Study → besides those already gatheredלְנִקְבָּצָֽיו׃lə·niq·bā·ṣāw — to gather, assemble, or collect togetherH6908 — Full Word Study →.” 9Comeאֵתָ֕יוּ’ê·ṯā·yū — to come, arrive, approachH857 — Full Word Study →, allכֹּ֖לkōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → you beastsחַיְת֣וֹḥay·ṯōw — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study → of the fieldשָׂדָ֑יśā·ḏāy — A field; cultivated or open landH7704 — Full Word Study →; eat greedilyלֶאֱכֹ֥לle·’ĕ·ḵōl — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study →, allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → you beastsחַיְת֖וֹḥay·ṯōw — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study → of the forestבַּיָּֽעַר׃סbay·yā·‘ar — Forest; woodland; honeycombH3293 — Full Word Study →. 10Israel’s watchmen are blindעִוְרִ֤ים‘iw·rîm — blind; unable to see physically or spirituallyH5787 — Full Word Study →, they are allכֻּלָּם֙kul·lām — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → obliviousיָדָ֔עוּyā·ḏā·‘ū — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study →; they are allכֻּלָּם֙kul·lām — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → muteאִלְּמִ֔ים’il·lə·mîm — mute, unable to speakH483 — Full Word Study → dogsכְּלָבִ֣יםkə·lā·ḇîm — Dog; unclean animal used as insult or metaphorH3611 — Full Word Study →, they cannotלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → barkלִנְבֹּ֑חַlin·bō·aḥ — to bark (of dogs)H5024 — Full Word Study →; they are dreamersהֹזִים֙hō·zîm — to dream; vision during sleepH1957 — Full Word Study → lying aroundשֹֽׁכְבִ֔יםšō·ḵə·ḇîm — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study →, lovingאֹהֲבֵ֖י’ō·hă·ḇê — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study → to slumberלָנֽוּם׃lā·nūm — to slumber or doze lightlyH5123 — Full Word Study →. 11Like ravenous dogsוְהַכְּלָבִ֣יםwə·hak·kə·lā·ḇîm — Dog; unclean animal used as insult or metaphorH3611 — Full Word Study →, they are neverלֹ֤אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → satisfiedיָֽדְעוּ֙yā·ḏə·‘ū — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study →. Theyוְהֵ֣מָּהwə·hêm·māh — They, them (masculine plural pronoun)H1992 — Full Word Study → are shepherdsרֹעִ֔יםrō·‘îm — to shepherd; to tend, feed, or pasture a flockH7462 — Full Word Study → withיָדְע֖וּyā·ḏə·‘ū — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → noלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → discernmentהָבִ֑יןhā·ḇîn — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study →; they allכֻּלָּם֙kul·lām — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → turnפָּנ֔וּpā·nū — to turn, face, or direct attentionH6437 — Full Word Study → to their own wayלְדַרְכָּ֣םlə·ḏar·kām — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study →, eachמִקָּצֵֽהוּ׃miq·qā·ṣê·hū — edge, border, extremity, endH7097 — Full Word Study → oneאִ֥ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → seeking his own gainלְבִצְע֖וֹlə·ḇiṣ·‘ōw — unjust gain; dishonest profitH1215 — Full Word Study →: 12Comeאֵתָ֥יוּ’ê·ṯā·yū — to come, arrive, approachH857 — Full Word Study →, let me getאֶקְחָה־’eq·ḥāh- — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → the wineיַ֖יִןya·yin — Wine; fermented grape juiceH3196 — Full Word Study →, let us imbibeוְנִסְבְּאָ֣הwə·nis·bə·’āh — to drink heavily, become drunk, tipple excessivelyH5433 — Full Word Study → the strong drinkשֵׁכָ֑רšê·ḵār — Strong alcoholic drink, fermented beverages stronger than wineH7941 — Full Word Study →, and tomorrowמָחָ֔רmā·ḥār — tomorrow, the next dayH4279 — Full Word Study → will beוְהָיָ֤הwə·hā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → like todayכָזֶה֙ḵā·zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study →, only farמְאֹֽד׃mə·’ōḏ — Much, greatly, very, exceedinglyH3966 — Full Word Study → betterגָּד֖וֹלgā·ḏō·wl — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study →!”
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Chapter Commentary — Isaiah 56
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Isaiah 56 marks a turning point in the book, shifting from judgment to restoration and hope. The chapter opens with God's call to righteousness and justice, emphasizing that His salvation and vindication are imminent. The heart of this passage extends God's covenant promises beyond ethnic Israel to include foreigners and outcasts who genuinely seek Him, establishing the principle that God's kingdom welcomes all who believe and obey. However, the chapter concludes with a stark warning against false spiritual leaders—blind watchmen and greedy shepherds who neglect their flock for personal gain.

Verses 1–2: The Call to Righteousness

The Lord begins by commanding His people to maintain justice and do what is right, because His salvation is near and His righteousness is about to be revealed. This is not salvation by works, but rather the fruit of genuine faith in God's promise. Verse 2 pronounces blessing on those who embrace this call—who keep the Sabbath holy and refrain from evil. The Sabbath here represents covenant faithfulness and devotion to God; it is a sign of belonging to His people. The KJV's phrase "layeth hold on it" suggests gripping tightly to God's covenant promises. This passage reminds us that true religion involves both justice toward others and personal holiness before God.

Verses 3–5: The Promise to Eunuchs

Isaiah addresses a specific group often excluded from full participation in religious life: eunuchs (men physically unable to have children). In the Old Testament economy, such conditions could create barriers to temple service. Yet God promises that faithful eunuchs—those who keep His Sabbaths and choose obedience—will receive "a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters." This is a staggering reversal. God offers them an everlasting name and remembrance within His house, meaning their identity and legacy are secure in Him alone. The promise is deeply personal: those who feel their lives are unfruitful or incomplete in worldly terms find their ultimate purpose and satisfaction in covenantal relationship with God.

Verses 6–8: Inclusion of Foreigners

The passage extends the same covenant blessing to foreigners (Gentiles) who join themselves to the Lord and keep His Sabbaths. These outsiders will be brought to God's holy mountain and welcomed in His house of prayer. Their offerings will be accepted just as Israel's were—there is no second-class status. Verse 7 contains Jesus' own quotation in Matthew 21:13: "My house shall be called an house of prayer for all people." This prophetic statement foreshadows the New Testament reality where Christ tears down the wall between Jew and Gentile, making salvation accessible to all who believe. Verse 8 emphasizes God's gathering work: He gathers the outcasts of Israel and will gather still others besides them. This is God's generous, inclusive heart.

Verses 9–12: Warning Against False Shepherds

The tone shifts dramatically. The "beasts of the field" represent enemies or spiritual predators. God's watchmen—Israel's leaders and spiritual guides—are blind, ignorant, and unable to warn the people. Worse, they are "dumb dogs" content to sleep while danger approaches. These shepherds are greedy, focused on personal gain rather than the flock's welfare. Verse 12 exposes their philosophy: they live for present pleasure and indulgence, with no concern for tomorrow's reckoning. This is a scathing rebuke of corrupt leadership that prioritizes comfort and wealth over faithfulness and protection of God's people.

Application for Today

Isaiah 56 calls us to examine both our personal faithfulness and our leadership. Are we living justly and keeping ourselves holy? Do we recognize that God's salvation welcomes the outcast and marginalized? And do we, as Christian leaders and believers, avoid the trap of spiritual blindness and greed? Like faithful watchmen, we are called to remain vigilant, serving others with integrity, not our own interests.

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