King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Pay attention to me, my people! My nation, listen to me! For Torah will go out from me; I will calm them with my justice as a light for the peoples.
Berean Standard Bible:
Pay attention to Me, My people, and listen to Me, My nation; for a law will go out from Me, and My justice will become a light to the nations; I will bring it about quickly.
American Standard Version:
Attend unto me, O my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall go forth from me, and I will establish my justice for a light of the peoples.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Hearken{H7181} unto me, my people{H5971}; and give ear{H238} unto me, O my nation{H3816}: for a law{H8451} shall proceed{H3318} from me, and I will make my judgment{H4941} to rest{H7280} for a light{H216} of the people{H5971}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Peter 2:9
- But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Isaiah 2:3
- And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
1 Corinthians 9:21
- To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
Isaiah 42:6
- I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
Isaiah 49:6
- And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
Micah 4:2
- And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Psalms 78:1
- ¶ Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, [to] my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
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Commentary for Isaiah 51:4
Isaiah 51:4 is part of a larger section in the book of Isaiah that falls within the broader context of the prophecies addressed to Israel during a time of exile and despair. This particular verse is a call from God to His people, urging them to pay close attention to His words. The historical context is likely the Babylonian exile, a period when the people of Judah were taken captive to Babylon, which lasted from the early 6th century BCE until the Persian king Cyrus the Great allowed them to return to their homeland.
The themes of Isaiah 51:4 include the authority and sovereignty of God, as He promises that His law will be the guiding principle for the people. The verse suggests that God's judgment—His righteous decisions and governance—will serve as a beacon of hope and guidance, likened to a light that illuminates the path for the people. This metaphor of light is significant in the Hebrew scriptures, often symbolizing truth, revelation, and divine guidance in a world that can seem dark and chaotic.
In essence, Isaiah 51:4 conveys a message of comfort and encouragement, assuring the exiled nation that despite their current circumstances, God has not abandoned them. He is presenting them with a new era of divine law and justice that will lead them out of their present darkness and into a future filled with hope and righteousness. This verse underscores the enduring theme of the prophetic books: that God is actively involved in human history, offering direction and promising restoration to those who listen to and follow His precepts.
*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: H7181
There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָשַׁב
Transliteration: qâshab
Pronunciation: kaw-shab'
Description: a primitive root; to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken; attend, (cause to) hear(-ken), give heed, incline, mark (well), regard. - Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H238
There are 389 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָזַן
Transliteration: ʼâzan
Pronunciation: aw-zan'
Description: a primitive root; probably to expand; but used only as a denominative from אֹזֶן; to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e. (by implication) to listen; give (perceive by the) ear, hear(-ken). See אָזַן. - Strong's Number: H3816
There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לְאֹם
Transliteration: lᵉʼôm
Pronunciation: leh-ome'
Description: xlit lᵉôm corrected to lᵉʼôm; or לְאוֹם; from an unused root meaning to gather; a community; nation, people. - Strong's Number: H8451
There are 213 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תּוֹרָה
Transliteration: tôwrâh
Pronunciation: to-raw'
Description: or תֹּרָה; from יָרָה; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch; law. - Strong's Number: H3318
There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָצָא
Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. - Strong's Number: H4941
There are 406 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁפָּט
Transliteration: mishpâṭ
Pronunciation: mish-pawt'
Description: from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style; [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. - Strong's Number: H7280
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָגַע
Transliteration: râgaʻ
Pronunciation: raw-gah'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to toss violently and suddenly (the sea with waves, the skin with boils); figuratively (in a favorable manner) to settle, i.e. quiet; specifically, to wink (from the motion of the eye-lids); break, divide, find ease, be a moment, (cause, give, make to) rest, make suddenly. - Strong's Number: H216
There are 191 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אוֹר
Transliteration: ʼôwr
Pronunciation: ore
Description: from אוֹר; illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.); bright, clear, [phrase] day, light (-ning), morning, sun.