King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock [whence] ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit [whence] ye are digged.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Listen to me, you pursuers of justice, you who seek ADONAI: consider the rock from which you were cut, the quarry from which you were dug
Berean Standard Bible:
“Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut, and to the quarry from which you were hewn.
American Standard Version:
Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek Jehovah: look unto the rock whence ye were hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye were digged.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Hearken{H8085} to me, ye that follow after{H7291} righteousness{H6664}, ye that seek{H1245} the LORD{H3068}: look{H5027} unto the rock{H6697} whence ye are hewn{H2672}, and to the hole{H4718} of the pit{H953} whence ye are digged{H5365}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Isaiah 51:7
- Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart [is] my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
Psalms 94:15
- But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
Romans 14:19
- Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Romans 9:30
- ¶ What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
Romans 9:32
- Wherefore? Because [they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
Isaiah 48:12
- Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I [am] he; I [am] the first, I also [am] the last.
Hebrews 12:14
- Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
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Commentary for Isaiah 51:1
Isaiah 51:1 is a verse that falls within the broader context of the book of Isaiah, which is a prophetic text in the Hebrew Bible, known as the Old Testament in Christianity. This particular verse is part of a section often referred to as "Deutero-Isaiah" (Isaiah 40-55), which is believed to have been written during the Babylonian exile or in the immediate aftermath of it, around the 6th century BCE.
The historical context of this verse is the experience of the Israelites who had been taken into captivity in Babylon. They were a people in a foreign land, far from their homeland, grappling with their identity and faith in the face of displacement and the loss of their central place of worship, the Temple in Jerusalem.
The themes of Isaiah 51:1 are encouragement, identity, and the call to remember one's spiritual heritage. The verse begins with an appeal to "hearken," or listen attentively, to those who pursue righteousness and seek the Lord. It is a call to the faithful remnant of Israel, urging them to reflect on their origins and the foundational elements of their faith and peoplehood.
The metaphor of being hewn from a rock and dug from a pit speaks to the idea that the people of Israel were shaped by God, much like a sculptor carves a rock or digs a pit to reveal something of value. The verse encourages the exiles to look back to their ancestors, particularly Abraham and Sarah, who are often symbolized by the rock and pit in Jewish tradition, as a source of strength and inspiration. It is a reminder that their identity and covenant with God are enduring and can survive the trials of exile.
In essence, Isaiah 51:1 is a prophetic call to remember the steadfastness of God and the enduring nature of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, despite the tumultuous circumstances they faced. It is a message of hope and resilience, reassuring the people that just as they were formed by God's hand in the past, they can trust in God's guidance and protection for their future.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H8085
There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַע
Transliteration: shâmaʻ
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. - Strong's Number: H7291
There are 135 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָדַף
Transliteration: râdaph
Pronunciation: raw-daf'
Description: a primitive root; to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by); chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r). - Strong's Number: H6664
There are 109 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צֶדֶק
Transliteration: tsedeq
Pronunciation: tseh'-dek
Description: from צָדַק; the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity; [idiom] even, ([idiom] that which is altogether) just(-ice), (un-)right(-eous) (cause, -ly, -ness). - Strong's Number: H1245
There are 215 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּקַשׁ
Transliteration: bâqash
Pronunciation: baw-kash'
Description: a primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after; ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for). - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H5027
There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָבַט
Transliteration: nâbaṭ
Pronunciation: naw-bat'
Description: a primitive root; to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care; (cause to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see. - Strong's Number: H6697
There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צוּר
Transliteration: tsûwr
Pronunciation: tsoor
Description: or צֻר; from צוּר; properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous); edge, [idiom] (mighty) God (one), rock, [idiom] sharp, stone, [idiom] strength, [idiom] strong. See also בֵּית צוּר. - Strong's Number: H2672
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָצַב
Transliteration: châtsab
Pronunciation: khaw-tsab'
Description: or חָצֵב; a primitive root; to cut or carve (wood, stone or other material); by implication, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave; cut, dig, divide, grave, hew (out, -er), made, mason. - Strong's Number: H4718
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַקֶּבֶת
Transliteration: maqqebeth
Pronunciation: mak-keh'-beth
Description: from נָקַב; properly, a perforator, i.e. a hammer (as piercing); also (intransitively) a perforation, i.e. a quarry; hammer, hole. - Strong's Number: H953
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹר
Transliteration: bôwr
Pronunciation: bore
Description: from בּוּר (in the sense of בֹּאר); a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison); cistern, dungeon, fountain, pit, well. - Strong's Number: H5365
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָקַר
Transliteration: nâqar
Pronunciation: naw-kar'
Description: a primitive root; to bore (penetrate, quarry); dig, pick out, pierce, put (thrust) out.