I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
I will say {H559} to the north {H6828}, Give up {H5414}; and to the south {H8486}, Keep not back {H3607}: bring {H935} my sons {H1121} from far {H7350}, and my daughters {H1323} from the ends {H7097} of the earth {H776};
I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Don't hold them back! Bring my sons from far away, and my daughters from the ends of the earth,
I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth—
I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back; bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the end of the earth;
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2 Corinthians 6:17
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, -
2 Corinthians 6:18
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. -
Jeremiah 3:14
Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: -
Jeremiah 3:18
In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers. -
Jeremiah 3:19
But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me. -
Galatians 3:26
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. -
Galatians 3:29
And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Isaiah 43:6 is a powerful declaration of God's sovereign power and His unwavering commitment to His people. It speaks to a future, comprehensive restoration, emphasizing God's command over all creation to bring His chosen ones back to Him.
Context
This verse is situated within the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-55), a section of Isaiah that follows prophecies of judgment and offers profound hope and restoration to Israel. After predicting their exile, God assures His people, Jacob and Israel, that He is their Redeemer and Holy One. The preceding verses, such as Isaiah 43:1-5, establish God's unique relationship with Israel, His protection of them through trials, and His willingness to ransom other nations for their sake. Verse 6 extends this promise of restoration to a global scale, transcending the immediate return from Babylonian captivity.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrases "to the north, Give up" and "to the south, Keep not back" are vivid personifications, depicting God issuing direct commands to the very regions where His people might be scattered. This emphasizes that no place or power can withstand His decree. The use of "sons" and "daughters" (Hebrew: banim and banot) stresses the tender, parental relationship God has with His chosen ones, reinforcing His commitment to their welfare.
Practical Application
This verse offers profound hope and reassurance. It reminds us that no matter how scattered, lost, or distant God's people may feel, His sovereign power and love are capable of bringing them back. For believers today, it speaks to God's ultimate plan for unity and restoration, where people from every nation and tribe will be gathered into His eternal kingdom, a vision beautifully depicted in Revelation 7:9. It encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness to fulfill all His promises, even when circumstances seem bleak or impossible.