Isaiah 49:10

KJV

They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.

KJV (with Strong's)

They shall not hunger {H7456} nor thirst {H6770}; neither shall the heat {H8273} nor sun {H8121} smite {H5221} them: for he that hath mercy {H7355} on them shall lead {H5090} them, even by the springs {H4002} of water {H4325} shall he guide {H5095} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

They will be neither hungry nor thirsty; neither scorching wind nor sun will strike them; for he who has mercy on them will lead them and guide them to springs of water.

Berean Standard Bible

They will not hunger or thirst, nor will scorching heat or sun beat down on them. For He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.

American Standard Version

They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them will lead them, even by springs of water will he guide them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 49:10 is a profound promise of divine provision, protection, and compassionate guidance for God's people. Situated within the "Servant Songs" of Isaiah, this verse assures those gathered by the Lord's Servant that they will experience complete sustenance and shelter from hardship. It paints a vivid picture of God's tender care, likening His leadership to a shepherd guiding His flock to life-giving springs in a parched land, ultimately promising a future of security, abundance, and spiritual refreshment under His benevolent hand.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 49:10 is embedded within the second of Isaiah's "Servant Songs" ([Isaiah 49:1-13](/isaiah/49-1-13 "Isaiah 49:1-13 - The Second Servant Song")), which focuses on the mission and identity of the Lord's Servant. Following the Servant's call to restore Israel and be a "light to the Gentiles" ([Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - The Servant as Light to the Gentiles")), this verse describes the blessed state of those who respond to this call and are gathered by the Servant. It immediately follows a promise of divine assistance to the Servant ([Isaiah 49:8](/isaiah/49-8 "Isaiah 49:8 - God's Help to the Servant")) and the command to release prisoners and those in darkness ([Isaiah 49:9](/isaiah/49-9 "Isaiah 49:9 - Release of Prisoners")). Verse 10, therefore, depicts the glorious outcome for those redeemed and led by the Servant, highlighting their journey from captivity and desolation to a place of divine abundance and safety. This promise of provision and protection sets the stage for the wider restoration described in the subsequent verses, where nations bring God's children back from afar ([Isaiah 49:12](/isaiah/49-12 "Isaiah 49:12 - Return from Distant Lands")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The immediate historical backdrop for Isaiah 49 is the Babylonian exile, a period of immense suffering, displacement, and spiritual dryness for the people of Judah. The prophecies in this section offer comfort and hope for their return to their homeland. The imagery of hunger, thirst, heat, and the sun smiting them directly reflects the harsh realities of a long journey through arid, desert regions, reminiscent of the ancient Near East's challenging geography. The promise of being led "by the springs of water" evokes the essential need for water in such environments and resonates deeply with the historical memory of Israel's miraculous journey through the wilderness after the [Exodus from Egypt](/exodus/13 "Exodus 13 - God's Guidance in the Wilderness"), where God provided water from rocks ([Exodus 17:6](/exodus/17-6 "Exodus 17:6 - Water from the Rock")) and manna from heaven ([Exodus 16:35](/exodus/16-35 "Exodus 16:35 - Manna in the Wilderness")). The concept of a merciful leader guiding his people to sustenance also draws upon the familiar cultural archetype of a shepherd caring for his flock, a pervasive metaphor for divine leadership in ancient Israel.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 49:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Provision**, emphasizing God's commitment to meet the fundamental needs of His people, both physical and spiritual, even in the most desolate circumstances. Secondly, the verse highlights **Divine Protection**, portraying God as a shield against life's most severe hardships and destructive forces, whether natural elements or the trials of exile. Thirdly, it reveals **Compassionate Leadership**, showcasing God's governance as stemming from profound mercy and tender care, rather than mere obligation. This compassionate guidance ensures that His people are led not just to survival, but to flourishing. Finally, the imagery of "springs of water" points to **Abundant Guidance and Spiritual Refreshment**, symbolizing the life-giving truth and comfort God provides, leading His people to sources of true nourishment and revival, much like a shepherd leads his sheep to green pastures and still waters, as beautifully articulated in [Psalm 23](/psalms/23 "Psalm 23 - The Lord is My Shepherd"). This verse encapsulates the hope of restoration and the promise of a new, divinely sustained existence.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **mercy (Hebrew, _râcham'_):** H7355, from a primitive root meaning "to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate." This word conveys a deep, tender affection, often likened to a parent's love for a child or a mother's womb-like compassion. When applied to God, it signifies His profound, visceral empathy and pity that motivates His actions towards His people, ensuring His guidance is always rooted in loving-kindness and deep care.
* **lead (Hebrew, _nâhag'_):** H5090, a primitive root meaning "to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), i.e. lead, carry away; reflexively, to proceed (i.e. impel or guide oneself)." In this context, it speaks of God actively directing and conducting His people, not merely showing them the way, but taking the initiative to move them forward, much like a shepherd drives his flock or a guide leads a procession, ensuring their progress and safety.
* **guide (Hebrew, _nâhal'_):** H5095, a primitive root meaning "properly, to run with a sparkle, i.e. flow; hence (transitively), to conduct, and (by inference) to protect, sustain." This word complements "lead" by adding the nuance of gentle, careful guidance. It implies leading in a way that provides rest, refreshment, and sustenance, ensuring the well-being and flourishing of those being led. It can also suggest causing one to inherit or possess, implying God leads His people into their rightful blessings and a place of abundance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They shall not hunger nor thirst;":** This clause provides a foundational promise of complete physical and spiritual provision. It addresses the most basic human needs, assuring a future state where the pangs of hunger (H7456, _râʻêb'_) and the parching dryness of thirst (H6770, _tsâmêʼ'_) will be entirely absent. This is a comprehensive assurance of sustenance, implying that all essential needs will be met by divine intervention, whether in a literal return from exile or a spiritual journey through life.
* **"neither shall the heat nor sun smite them:":** This expands the promise to include protection from environmental harshness and distress. "Heat" (H8273, _shârâb'_) can refer to a shimmering mirage or intense desert heat, while "sun" (H8121, _shemesh'_) represents its scorching power. "Smite" (H5221, _nâkâh'_) means to strike, wound, or afflict severely. Thus, the clause promises divine shielding from overwhelming external forces, tribulation, and any destructive elements that might cause harm or suffering, ensuring a journey free from debilitating hardship.
* **"for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them,":** This pivotal clause reveals the motivation and nature of God's intervention. The "for" indicates the reason for the preceding promises of provision and protection. God's actions are not arbitrary or out of obligation, but flow directly from His deep, compassionate mercy (H7355, _râcham'_). It is this profound, tender love that compels Him to take active leadership (H5090, _nâhag'_) over His people, guiding them with a shepherd's intimate care and ensuring their safe passage.
* **"even by the springs of water shall he guide them.":** This final clause vividly illustrates the outcome and method of God's merciful leadership. The imagery of "springs" (H4002, _mabbûwaʻ'_) of "water" (H4325, _mayim'_) in a desert context represents abundant, life-giving refreshment and spiritual sustenance. God's guidance (H5095, _nâhal'_) is not merely directional but restorative, leading His people to sources of vitality and comfort, ensuring their flourishing and well-being even in what might otherwise be barren landscapes.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 49:10 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid picture of a desert journey transformed by divine care. The contrasting images of "hunger" and "thirst" versus "springs of water," and "heat" and "sun smiting" versus God's protective leading, create a powerful visual narrative of rescue and restoration. This use of **Antithesis** highlights the stark difference between the people's former suffering and their promised future blessedness. The verse also employs **Metaphor**, with God implicitly portrayed as a compassionate shepherd who tenderly guides and sustains His flock, drawing on familiar pastoral themes prevalent throughout Scripture. The repetition of the idea of guidance with two distinct but complementary verbs, "lead" (H5090, _nâhag'_) and "guide" (H5095, _nâhal'_), exemplifies **Synonymous Parallelism**, emphasizing the comprehensiveness, gentleness, and restorative nature of God's direction. Furthermore, the promises of complete absence of hunger, thirst, and harm can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, underscoring the absolute and perfect nature of God's future provision and protection for His redeemed people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 49:10 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering covenant faithfulness and His compassionate character. It beautifully encapsulates the theme of a "new Exodus," where God once again leads His people through a wilderness of suffering and exile, providing for their every need and protecting them from harm, just as He did for ancient Israel. This promise extends beyond mere physical sustenance, pointing to a profound spiritual nourishment and comfort that only divine presence can provide. The verse emphasizes that God's guidance is not a harsh command but a gentle, merciful leading, ensuring His people find true rest and refreshment. The ultimate fulfillment of these promises points towards an eschatological hope, where all suffering, want, and hardship will cease, and God's people will dwell in eternal security and abundance under His direct, loving care.

* [Exodus 13:21](/exodus/13-21 "God's Guidance in the Wilderness")
* [Psalm 23:2](/psalms/23-2 "The Lord as Shepherd")
* [Revelation 7:16](/revelation/7-16 "No More Hunger or Thirst")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 49:10 offers profound comfort and enduring hope for believers navigating the challenges of life today. In a world often characterized by scarcity, uncertainty, and hardship—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—this verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering commitment to His people. It encourages us to trust in His faithful provision, knowing that He is intimately aware of our deepest needs and promises to supply them, not just adequately, but abundantly. When we face spiritual dryness, overwhelming trials, or feel lost in the "wilderness" of life, this passage assures us that God's compassionate leadership will guide us to sources of true refreshment and peace. It calls us to surrender our anxieties and fears to His gentle hand, confident that He will shield us from what truly harms us and lead us to places of rest and restoration. This verse invites us to cultivate a posture of dependence and gratitude, recognizing that our ultimate well-being rests in the merciful guidance of our Shepherd.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel "hungry" or "thirsty," either physically, emotionally, or spiritually? How does the promise of God's provision in this verse speak to those needs?**
* **What are the "heat" and "sun" that smite you in your current circumstances (e.g., stress, anxiety, opposition, illness)? How can you lean into God's promised protection in these areas?**
* **How does understanding God's motivation as "mercy" change your perception of His guidance in your life?**
* **Where are the "springs of water" that God is leading you to today, whether through His Word, community, or personal revelation? How can you more intentionally follow His guidance to these sources of refreshment?**

### FAQ

**Is the promise of no hunger, thirst, or smiting sun in Isaiah 49:10 a literal promise for believers today?**

Answer: While Isaiah 49:10 certainly has a literal component, especially for the returning exiles who faced a harsh desert journey, its primary fulfillment and ongoing application for believers today are deeply spiritual and eschatological. For the exiles, it promised divine protection and provision during their physical return. For us, it assures that God will meet our deepest spiritual and physical needs, providing sustenance in times of spiritual dryness and shielding us from overwhelming despair or destructive forces. Ultimately, its fullest literal realization is found in the new heavens and new earth, where, as [Revelation 7:16](/revelation/7-16 "Revelation 7:16 - No More Hunger or Thirst") describes, "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat." Thus, it is a promise of both present spiritual care and future perfect restoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 49:10 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the Servant of the Lord. He is the embodiment of God's mercy and the ultimate Shepherd who leads His people. Jesus declared Himself to be the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus the Bread of Life")) and the "living water" ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus the Living Water"); [John 7:38](/john/7-38 "John 7:38 - Rivers of Living Water")), directly fulfilling the promise that God's people "shall not hunger nor thirst." Through His atoning work, Christ provides the spiritual nourishment that satisfies the deepest longings of the human soul, a refreshment that the world cannot offer. He is also our divine protector, shielding us from the "smite" of sin's curse and the scorching judgment of God, taking it upon Himself on the cross. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus gently "leads" and "guides" His flock, not through a physical desert, but through the wilderness of this fallen world, leading them to green pastures and still waters of salvation and peace ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd"); [Psalm 23:2](/psalms/23-2 "The Lord as Shepherd")). His invitation, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me")), echoes the promise of leading by springs of water, offering true rest and spiritual sustenance to all who follow Him. Ultimately, in Christ, God's mercy is fully revealed, and His promises of provision, protection, and guidance are perfectly realized for all who believe, culminating in the eternal security of the new creation where the Lamb Himself will guide them to living fountains of waters ([Revelation 7:17](/revelation/7-17 "Revelation 7:17 - The Lamb Will Guide Them")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 7:16

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

Revelation 7:17

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Matthew 5:6

Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Ezekiel 34:23

And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, [even] my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.

Psalms 121:5

The LORD [is] thy keeper: the LORD [is] thy shade upon thy right hand.

Psalms 121:6

The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

Isaiah 33:16

He shall dwell on high: his place of defence [shall be] the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters [shall be] sure.