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Isaiah 55:8-9 KJV
Isaiah · chapter 55 · verses 8–9
8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.Isaiah 55:8-9 · King James Version
What Isaiah 55:8-9 means
This gets quoted to end conversations, but read what comes before it: a call to seek the LORD while he may be found, and a promise that he will abundantly pardon. The gap named here is about mercy being wider than ours, not about God being unknowable. Higher is the word, not hidden.
Study note provided by TheWay Bible App, separate from the KJV text. Read the full chapter in context and compare interpretations. Report a correction.
Isaiah 55:8-9 in context
6Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Commentary
Cross references
- Psalms 92:5
- Psalms 40:5
- Hosea 14:9
- Ezekiel 18:29
- Psalms 25:10
- Daniel 4:37
- Isaiah 53:6
- Proverbs 21:8
- Romans 11:31-36
- Psalms 103:11
- Matthew 11:25
- Psalms 77:19
Key words (Strong's)
- thoughtsmachăshâbâha contrivanceH4284 →
- heavensshâmayimthe sky (as aloftH8064 →
- highergâbahhto soarH1361 →
- saithnᵉʼuman oracleH5002 →
- earthʼeretsthe earthH776 →
- waysdereka roadH1870 →
Topics
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We have here a further account of that covenant of grace which is made with us in Jesus Christ, both what is required and what is promised in the covenant, and of those considerations that are sufficient abundantly to confirm our believing compliance with and reliance on that covenant.
— Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on verses 6-13