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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
Isaiah 49:10 is a powerful promise of divine provision, protection, and guidance, delivered within a section of Isaiah often referred to as the "Servant Songs." This verse speaks to the compassionate care God has for His people, particularly those in distress or exile, promising a future of security and abundance under His benevolent leadership.
Context of Isaiah 49:10
Chapter 49 of Isaiah focuses on the mission of the Servant of the Lord, who is called to restore Israel and be a light to the Gentiles. Amidst prophecies of restoration from Babylonian captivity and a broader vision of spiritual redemption, this verse paints a vivid picture of the blessed state of those whom God leads. The imagery here strongly echoes the Exodus journey through the wilderness, where God miraculously provided for the Israelites, shielding them from the harsh desert conditions and leading them to water.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "mercy" here is racham (רַחַם), which denotes a deep, tender affection, often associated with a parent's love for a child or a mother's care. It emphasizes the profound compassion that motivates God's actions. The verbs "lead" (נָהַג, nahag) and "guide" (נָהַל, nahal) convey a gentle, pastoral care, much like a shepherd carefully leading his flock to pasture and water. Nahal can also imply causing one to inherit or possess, suggesting God leads His people into their rightful inheritance of blessings.
Practical Application
Isaiah 49:10 offers immense comfort and hope for believers today. It reminds us that even in times of difficulty, spiritual dryness, or uncertainty, God remains our faithful provider and protector. We can trust in His promise to supply all our needs and to shield us from overwhelming trials. This verse encourages us to surrender to His gentle guidance, knowing that He will always lead us to spiritual refreshment and sustenance, much like a shepherd leads his sheep to green pastures and still waters (Psalm 23:2). It points forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises in the new heaven and new earth, where all hunger, thirst, and sorrow will cease.