Isaiah 55:10

KJV

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

KJV (with Strong's)

For as the rain {H1653} cometh down {H3381}, and the snow {H7950} from heaven {H8064}, and returneth {H7725} not thither, but watereth {H7301} the earth {H776}, and maketh it bring forth {H3205} and bud {H6779}, that it may give {H5414} seed {H2233} to the sower {H2232}, and bread {H3899} to the eater {H398}:

Complete Jewish Bible

For just as rain and snow fall from the sky and do not return there, but water the earth, causing it to bud and produce, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater;

Berean Standard Bible

For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat,

American Standard Version

For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 55:10 presents a profound and comforting analogy, anchoring the divine promises of restoration and grace within a chapter brimming with invitations to God's unfailing love. It powerfully illustrates the unwavering certainty and absolute efficacy of God's spoken word by likening its purposeful nature to the dependable, life-giving cycle of rain and snow. Just as precipitation unfailingly descends from heaven to nourish the earth, causing it to yield fruit and provide essential sustenance, so too will God's divine declarations accomplish their intended purpose, bringing forth spiritual life, provision, and ultimate fulfillment for His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 55:10 is strategically positioned as a foundational analogy, immediately preceding the climactic declaration in [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - The Unfailing Efficacy of God's Word"), which explicitly states that God's word will not return to Him void but will achieve His sovereign purposes. The preceding verses, particularly [Isaiah 55:1-7](/isaiah/55 "Isaiah 55 - A Gracious Invitation to All Who Thirst"), extend a gracious invitation to all who spiritually thirst, urging them to seek the Lord and return to Him with promises of abundant pardon and an everlasting covenant. This verse grounds these spiritual promises in a tangible, observable natural phenomenon, thereby reinforcing the absolute reliability of God's character and His covenant faithfulness. It is an integral part of the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-66), a section of Isaiah primarily addressing a people in exile or deep despair, offering profound hope and assurance of divine restoration and ultimate triumph.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For an agrarian society in the ancient Near East, the phenomena of rain and snow were not merely weather events but were absolutely essential for survival and prosperity. The annual cycle of precipitation directly determined the success of crops, the availability of food, and the overall well-being of the community. Drought was a constant and terrifying threat, often interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure and leading to widespread famine and suffering. Therefore, the consistent and predictable nature of rain and snow, ensuring the earth's productivity and the sustenance of life, served as an exceptionally potent and universally understood metaphor for reliability, blessing, and divine faithfulness. This vivid imagery would have resonated deeply with the exiles in Babylon, who longed for restoration to their homeland and the fulfillment of God's promises in a land that frequently experienced unpredictable and often insufficient rainfall.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes prevalent throughout the book of Isaiah. Foremost among these is the **Divine Certainty and Efficacy** of God's word, emphasizing that His declarations are not empty pronouncements but are inherently powerful, purposeful, and always achieve their intended outcome, a truth explicitly articulated in [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose"). It also highlights the theme of **Divine Provision and Sustenance**, portraying God as the ultimate provider who graciously nourishes His creation, both physically through natural processes and spiritually through the life-giving power of His word, leading to abundant growth and spiritual fruitfulness. Furthermore, the theme of **Irreversible Purpose** is central; just as the rain and snow do not return to heaven until their mission on earth is fully complete, so God's plans and promises are unstoppable and will inevitably bear their intended fruit, providing "seed to the sower, and bread to the eater."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rain (Hebrew, _geshem'_):** From a root meaning "to shower," this word specifically refers to a heavy, soaking rain or a downpour. In an agricultural context, _geshem_ was crucial for crop growth and was often perceived as a direct and tangible blessing from God, signifying His favor and provision. Its inclusion here emphasizes the life-giving, saturating, and transformative quality of God's word, which thoroughly penetrates and brings about profound change.
* **Seed (Hebrew, _zeraʻ'_):** This term, derived from a primitive root meaning "to sow," refers to the literal seed used for planting, but also extends figuratively to fruit, offspring, or posterity. In this verse, it signifies the inherent potential for future growth, multiplication, and continuation. It represents the ongoing cycle of life and the propagation of God's truth, implying that God's word not only provides immediate spiritual sustenance but also empowers and ensures future spiritual fruitfulness and expansion.
* **Bread (Hebrew, _lechem'_):** This word encompasses food in general, but specifically refers to bread, which was the staple food in the ancient world and a fundamental necessity for survival. It signifies essential sustenance, nourishment, and the immediate fulfillment of a basic, vital need. The imagery of "bread to the eater" underscores the direct, life-sustaining provision that God's word offers, satisfying spiritual hunger, providing strength for daily living, and meeting the immediate needs of God's people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither,"** This opening clause establishes the powerful analogy at the heart of the verse. It describes the natural, observable phenomenon of precipitation descending from the sky. The crucial point articulated here is that this precipitation does not return to its divine source until its intended purpose on earth has been fully accomplished. This sets up the direct parallel for God's word, emphasizing its purposeful, one-way journey from the divine realm to the earthly, designed to achieve a specific outcome.
* **"but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud,"** This part of the verse details the immediate, direct, and transformative effect of the rain and snow. They are not inert or passive but actively "water" the parched earth, thereby enabling it to "bring forth" (to produce, to give birth to vegetation) and "bud" (to sprout, to grow new life). This highlights the active, creative, and life-generating power inherent in these natural elements, mirroring the dynamic, efficacious, and life-giving power of God's spoken word.
* **"that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:"** This final clause describes the ultimate beneficial and dual outcome of the precipitation's work. The growth and fruitfulness facilitated by the rain and snow lead to a bountiful harvest, which in turn provides "seed to the sower" (ensuring future planting, continued agricultural cycles, and sustained provision) and "bread to the eater" (providing immediate, essential nourishment for the present). This illustrates the comprehensive nature of God's word: it provides for present spiritual needs and simultaneously ensures future spiritual growth, fruitfulness, and ongoing provision.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 55:10 is masterfully crafted using several prominent literary devices. The most evident are **Analogy** and **Simile**, which directly compare the reliable and purposeful action of natural precipitation (rain and snow) to the equally reliable and purposeful nature of God's word. The implied "so shall" (explicit in the following verse, [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - The Power of God's Word")) forms the classic structure of this comparison, using the tangible, observable natural world as irrefutable proof of a profound spiritual truth. There is also a subtle yet significant instance of **Personification** in the idea that the rain and snow "returneth not thither" until they have accomplished their mission, imbuing these natural elements with a sense of purpose, intentionality, and determination that directly foreshadows the intentionality and unwavering resolve of God's word. Finally, the imagery of "seed to the sower, and bread to the eater" functions as a **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where the parts (seed, bread) represent the entire process of agricultural productivity, sustenance, and the cycle of life. This, in turn, serves as a powerful **Metaphor** for the spiritual nourishment, growth, and fruitfulness that God's promises bring forth in the lives of His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse lays a profound theological foundation for understanding the very nature and inherent power of God's word. It asserts that divine communication is not merely informative or declarative but is inherently performative; it carries within itself the power to accomplish precisely what it declares. Just as God established the natural order with its reliable cycles of provision and sustenance, so too has He established a spiritual order where His promises are as certain and effective as the rain that waters the earth. This divine certainty underpins all of God's covenants, His redemptive plans, and His prophetic declarations, assuring His people that His declarations of salvation, restoration, blessing, and ultimate triumph will unfailingly come to pass. The imagery of seed and bread further connects to the overarching biblical themes of divine sustenance, abundant provision, and the spiritual nourishment derived from actively engaging with God's truth.

* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Will Not Return Void")
* [Deuteronomy 32:2](/deuteronomy/32-2 "Deuteronomy 32:2 - Moses' Song: God's Teaching as Rain")
* [Matthew 4:4](/matthew/4-4 "Matthew 4:4 - Man Does Not Live on Bread Alone")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 55:10 offers immense encouragement and serves as a powerful call to unwavering trust in the absolute reliability of God's promises. In a world often characterized by profound uncertainty, broken promises, and unfulfilled expectations, this verse stands as an immovable anchor, reminding us that God's word is utterly dependable and inherently effective. It invites us to rest in the profound assurance that whatever God has spoken—whether a promise of salvation, a command for righteous living, a prophetic declaration, or a personal word of guidance—will inevitably come to fruition. This truth should cultivate patience, perseverance, and steadfast hope in our faith journey, knowing that even when we do not immediately perceive the results, God's word is actively working to bring forth its intended fruit. Furthermore, this verse challenges us to actively and consistently engage with God's word, allowing it to "water" our hearts, "make us bring forth and bud" in spiritual growth and maturity, and ultimately provide "seed" for future ministry and the propagation of His truth, as well as "bread" for our daily spiritual sustenance and strength.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty of rain and snow fulfilling their purpose deepen your trust in God's specific promises for your life and for the world?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to more intentionally allow God's word to "water" and "make you bring forth and bud" in spiritual growth and fruitfulness?**
* **Beyond personal consumption, how can you be more intentional about receiving "seed" (for future sowing and ministry) and "bread" (for present spiritual nourishment) from God's word daily?**

### FAQ
**How does Isaiah 55:10 relate to the concept of God's sovereignty?**

Answer: Isaiah 55:10 powerfully illustrates God's sovereignty by demonstrating His absolute and unchallengeable control over both the natural world and the spiritual realm. Just as He orchestrates the precise descent and purpose of the rain and snow, ensuring they fulfill their life-giving mission on earth, so too does He ensure that His spoken word accomplishes His divine will. The verse inherently implies that God's plans and declarations are not contingent on human cooperation, external circumstances, or any earthly resistance; rather, they are inherently effective and unstoppable because they originate from His supreme power, infinite wisdom, and perfect authority. This concept is further emphasized and explicitly stated in the subsequent verse, [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Does Not Return Void"), which directly links the efficacy of natural processes to the unstoppable, sovereign power of God's word, highlighting His ultimate authority and control over all things, both seen and unseen.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 55:10 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is eternally the living Word of God. Just as the rain and snow descend from heaven to give life and sustenance to the earth, so too did the Word, God Himself, "come down from heaven" in the incarnation of Jesus Christ ([John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus Comes Down from Heaven")). He is the one who truly "watereth the earth," not merely with physical rain, but with the life-giving truth, grace, and Spirit that bring forth spiritual fruit and eternal life in the hearts of all who believe ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Jesus, the Living Water")). Jesus Himself declared, "I am the bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), thereby providing ultimate spiritual nourishment that satisfies the deepest hunger of the human soul. Furthermore, He is the ultimate "seed" of the kingdom, sown into the world through His life, death, and resurrection to bring forth an abundant harvest of righteousness and salvation ([Matthew 13:3-8](/matthew/13 "Matthew 13 - Parables of the Kingdom")). His redemptive mission, like the rain and snow, did not "return... void" but perfectly accomplished God's pleasure and purpose, culminating in His atoning sacrifice and glorious resurrection, which secured eternal life and reconciliation for all who place their faith in Him ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). Thus, Christ perfectly embodies the purposeful, life-giving, and unfailingly effective nature of God's word as described in Isaiah 55:10.

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

2 Corinthians 9:9

(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

2 Corinthians 9:11

Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

Deuteronomy 32:2

My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

Isaiah 30:23

Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.

Ezekiel 34:26

And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.

Hosea 10:12

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for [it is] time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Isaiah 61:11

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.