Isaiah 51:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 51:1 issues a profound divine summons to those who earnestly pursue righteousness and diligently seek the Lord, urging them to reflect deeply on their origins. Through the powerful and evocative metaphors of a "rock" from which they were "hewn" and a "hole of the pit" from which they were "digged," the prophet calls the discouraged people of Israel to remember God's miraculous and deliberate work in establishing their nation from humble and seemingly barren beginnings. This act of remembrance serves as a vital source of comfort, reassurance, and renewed faith, anchoring them in God's unwavering faithfulness and omnipotent power to fulfill His promises, even amidst distress, exile, and uncertainty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 51:1 inaugurates a pivotal section within the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-66), specifically chapters 51:1-52:12, which are replete with messages of hope, restoration, and divine intervention for God's exiled people. Preceding chapters, such as [Isaiah 40](/isaiah/40 "Isaiah 40 - God's Comfort and Power"), have powerfully established God's incomparable sovereignty and omnipotence. This verse marks a strategic shift, directly addressing the faithful remnant within Israel who, despite widespread despair and the harsh realities of exile, continue to "follow after righteousness" and "seek the LORD." It sets the thematic foundation for subsequent prophecies of deliverance, the vindication of God's people, and the glorious establishment of His righteous kingdom, directly confronting the spiritual weariness and existential questions of those who feel abandoned or forgotten. The opening imperative, "Hearken to me," underscores the critical importance and urgency of the message that follows.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The primary historical backdrop for Isaiah 40-66, and thus for Isaiah 51:1, is the Babylonian exile, or the period leading up to and anticipating it. The people of Judah had endured the devastating destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, coupled with forced displacement to a foreign land under foreign dominion. This profound upheaval led many to question God's covenant promises, their national identity, and their very future. Culturally, they were immersed in pagan practices and ideologies, which further intensified the challenge to their monotheistic faith in Yahweh. The vivid imagery of "hewing from a rock" and "digging from a pit" would have resonated deeply with a people familiar with quarrying, masonry, and construction. However, here, it is applied metaphorically to their national origins, emphasizing their humble and miraculous beginnings from Abraham and Sarah, an elderly, childless couple, whose initial call and promise are recounted in [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Call of Abraham and the Promise of a Great Nation").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates and reinforces several central themes prevalent throughout the book of Isaiah. Firstly, it champions the theme of **Remembrance of Origins**, compelling the audience to transcend their immediate, disheartening circumstances and recall the foundational, miraculous acts of God in their history. Secondly, it profoundly underscores **God's Sovereign Choice and Power**, illustrating how He brought forth a mighty nation from seemingly barren and improbable sources, a theme consistently echoed in God's initial covenant with Abraham and Sarah, as seen in [Genesis 17:15-21](/genesis/17-15-21 "Genesis 17:15-21 - God's Covenant with Sarah and the Promise of Isaac"). Thirdly, the verse serves as a powerful testament to **God's Unwavering Faithfulness**, demonstrating that the same God who initiated their existence with such power and purpose is unequivocally capable of restoring and fulfilling His promises, even when human circumstances appear insurmountable. Finally, the verse specifically addresses the theme of **Righteousness and Seeking the Lord**, identifying and affirming a distinct group within Israel—those who remain committed to God's ways—thereby conveying that their diligent pursuit of Him is recognized and will ultimately be rewarded.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **seek (Hebrew, _bâqash'_):** H1245, 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)." In this context, "seek" describes an active, intentional, and earnest pursuit of the Lord, signifying a diligent desire to know God, His will, and His presence, often implying a seeking for divine favor or intervention rather than passive waiting.
* **rock (Hebrew, _tsûwr'_):** H6697, 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. While often a divine epithet for God Himself (e.g., [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God, the Perfect Rock")), here it metaphorically refers to the foundational source or origin from which the people of Israel were "hewn," emphasizing the stability, strength, and foundational nature of their beginning, rooted in God's creative and covenantal act.
* **hewn (Hebrew, _châtsab'_):** H2672, 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." This verb vividly portrays the laborious and deliberate process of extracting and shaping stone from a quarry. Applied to Israel, it signifies their formation as a distinct people, shaped and brought into being by God's intentional and powerful hand, much like a skilled craftsman shapes raw material into a purposeful structure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD:"** This opening imperative is a direct, urgent, and authoritative call to attention. It specifically targets a distinct remnant within Israel—those who actively pursue moral and spiritual rectitude ("follow after righteousness") and who earnestly desire and search for God ("seek the LORD"). This distinguishes them from the general population who may have become complacent or apostate, highlighting their spiritual sensitivity, commitment, and readiness to receive divine instruction.
* **"look unto the rock [whence] ye are hewn,"** The command to "look" (H5027, _nâbaṭ'_, to scan, look intently at, regard with pleasure, favor or care) is an invitation to deep, contemplative reflection. The "rock" is a powerful metaphor for their foundational origin, widely understood to refer to Abraham. The phrase "whence ye are hewn" vividly depicts their national formation, implying that they were not self-made but were deliberately shaped and brought forth by God from this initial, seemingly insignificant, and humanly improbable source.
* **"and to the hole of the pit [whence] ye are digged."** This parallel clause reinforces the previous image with different but complementary metaphors. The "hole of the pit" (H4718 _maqqebeth_, a perforator, quarry; H953 _bôwr_, a pit-hole, cistern, dungeon) further emphasizes the humble, perhaps even obscure, and certainly dependent nature of their origins. The verb "digged" (H5365, _nâqar'_, to bore, penetrate, quarry, dig, pick out, pierce) reiterates the divine effort and intentionality involved in bringing them into existence, again pointing to Sarah, who, like a "pit" or barren womb, was miraculously made fruitful by God's power.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 51:1 is profoundly enriched by its use of **Metaphor** and **Parallelism**. The central metaphors of "rock" and "hole of the pit" are not literal geological features but powerful symbolic representations of the ancestral origins of Israel, specifically Abraham and Sarah. This imagery vividly conveys the idea of a people being divinely quarried or excavated from a seemingly barren or insignificant source, thereby emphasizing God's creative, formative, and sovereign power. The phrases "whence ye are hewn" and "whence ye are digged" form a tight **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second phrase reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first, reinforcing the concept of their divinely orchestrated formation from humble beginnings. Furthermore, the verse employs a strong **Imperative** ("Hearken," "look"), directly commanding the audience to engage in this vital act of remembrance and reflection, thereby highlighting the urgency and profound importance of the message for their spiritual well-being, identity, and hope.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's unwavering covenant faithfulness and His astonishing ability to bring forth life, purpose, and a mighty nation from the most unlikely and humanly impossible sources. It serves as a potent reminder to God's people that their identity, existence, and future are not predicated on their own strength, merit, or current circumstances, but entirely on His sovereign choice, miraculous power, and enduring promises. The call to remember their origins in Abraham and Sarah is, at its core, a call to remember the God who makes the impossible possible, who faithfully fulfills His promises against all odds, and who remains steadfastly true to His covenant, even when His people are in exile, despair, or facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. This foundational truth serves as an unshakeable anchor for faith, demonstrating that if God could miraculously create a nation from an old, barren couple, He is certainly capable of restoring, redeeming, and blessing His people again.

* [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God as the Perfect Rock")
* [Psalm 18:2](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - The Lord as my Rock and Fortress")
* [Romans 4:18-21](/romans/4-18-21 "Romans 4:18-21 - Abraham's Faith in God's Promise")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 51:1 offers a timeless, deeply comforting, and profoundly empowering message for believers navigating discouragement, uncertainty, or a sense of spiritual barrenness in their lives or in the world around them. It extends a gracious invitation to look back at God's consistent faithfulness, both in the grand tapestry of biblical history and in the intimate details of our own spiritual journeys. This reflection helps us recognize that our spiritual heritage and present standing are rooted not in our own strength, accomplishments, or perceived worthiness, but entirely in His gracious, powerful, and often surprising work. When we feel as though we are in a "pit" of despair, facing insurmountable challenges, or questioning God's presence, this verse calls us to remember the "Rock" from which we were "hewn"—the unchanging character of God, His steadfast love, and the foundational truth of His redemptive work. This active remembrance fosters profound humility, deep gratitude, and a renewed, unshakeable confidence that the God who initiated a good work in us and in His church is utterly faithful to complete it. It powerfully encourages us to persist in actively "seeking the LORD" and diligently "following after righteousness," knowing with certainty that He sees, acknowledges, and responds to such devoted hearts, and that our ultimate hope rests securely in His past faithfulness and His unfailing future promises.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "rock" and "pit" in your own spiritual journey or in the history of your faith community can you look back to, remembering God's miraculous and formative work?**
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness, both in the broader biblical narrative and in your personal experience, strengthen your faith and resolve when facing current challenges or uncertainties?**
* **In what tangible ways are you actively "following after righteousness" and diligently "seeking the LORD" in your daily life and decisions?**
* **How does the profound truth that your spiritual identity and existence are "hewn" and "digged" by God foster humility, gratitude, and confidence in your heart?**

### FAQ
**Who is the "rock" and "hole of the pit" being referred to in Isaiah 51:1?**

Answer: While the terms "rock" and "hole of the pit" can metaphorically refer to God Himself as the ultimate source of Israel's existence (as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God, the Perfect Rock")), in the immediate context of Isaiah 51:1, they are widely interpreted by scholars as powerful metaphorical references to Abraham and Sarah, the patriarchs from whom the nation of Israel sprang. Abraham is understood as the "rock" from which the nation was "hewn," symbolizing the strong, foundational beginning. Sarah, with her initially barren womb, is represented by the "hole of the pit" from which they were "digged," emphasizing the miraculous and humanly impossible nature of their origin. This vivid imagery underscores God's supernatural intervention in bringing forth a mighty nation from an elderly, childless couple (see [Genesis 17:15-21](/genesis/17-15-21 "Genesis 17:15-21 - God's Promise to Sarah and the Birth of Isaac")).

**Why does Isaiah use such vivid imagery of "hewing" and "digging"?**

Answer: The imagery of "hewing from a rock" and "digging from a pit" is incredibly vivid, purposeful, and deeply symbolic. It highlights the laborious, intentional, and powerful act of God in creating the nation of Israel. It emphasizes that Israel did not come into being by natural means or human effort alone, but by a sovereign, supernatural intervention. Just as a quarryman meticulously extracts valuable stone from a seemingly unyielding rock or excavates a pit for a specific purpose, God "extracted" and shaped a people for Himself from an unlikely and humble origin. This imagery serves to powerfully remind the discouraged exiles that the same omnipotent and faithful God who initiated their existence with such deliberate care and power is certainly capable of restoring and delivering them again, thereby reinforcing His sovereign power, unwavering faithfulness, and steadfast commitment to His covenant promises.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 51:1 finds its most profound Christ-centered fulfillment by transcending the physical lineage of Israel to embrace the spiritual lineage of all believers in Christ. While the "rock" and "pit" initially point to Abraham and Sarah as the physical progenitors, the New Testament progressively reveals Jesus Christ as the ultimate "Rock" upon whom God builds His true spiritual Israel—the Church. Just as ancient Israel was "hewn" from Abraham, believers are now spiritually "hewn" from Christ, becoming part of a new creation (as articulated in [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")) and living stones in a spiritual house (beautifully described in [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")). The prophetic call to "look unto the rock" thus transforms into an invitation to fix our gaze upon Christ, the foundational cornerstone rejected by human builders but chosen and precious in God's sight (as revealed in [1 Peter 2:6-8](/1_peter/2-6-8 "1 Peter 2:6-8 - Christ the Cornerstone and Stumbling Block")). Our righteousness is not our own, nor is it achieved by human effort, but it is imputed to us through faith in Him (a truth powerfully stated in [Philippians 3:9](/philippians/3-9 "Philippians 3:9 - Righteousness Through Faith in Christ")). We are those who truly "follow after righteousness" and "seek the LORD" by seeking Christ, in whom all the magnificent promises of God find their definitive "Yes" and "Amen" (as confirmed in [2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Therefore, remembering our spiritual origins in Christ reminds us that our salvation, our identity, our hope, and our very existence as God's people are entirely rooted in His finished work on the cross and His resurrection power, empowering us to face any challenge with unwavering confidence in the God who gives life to the dead and calls into existence things that do not exist (a profound theological truth in [Romans 4:17](/romans/4-17 "Romans 4:17 - God Who Gives Life to the Dead")).

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

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: