Isaiah 55:2

KJV

Wherefore do ye spend money for [that which is] not bread? and your labour for [that which] satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye [that which is] good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore do ye spend {H8254} money {H3701} for that which is not bread {H3899}? and your labour {H3018} for that which satisfieth {H7654} not {H3808}? hearken {H8085} diligently {H8085} unto me, and eat {H398} ye that which is good {H2896}, and let your soul {H5315} delight {H6026} itself in fatness {H1880}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Why spend money for what isn't food, your wages for what doesn't satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and you will eat well, you will enjoy the fat of the land.

Berean Standard Bible

Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.

American Standard Version

Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 55:2 presents a profound divine invitation and challenge, urging humanity to critically assess where they invest their most valuable resources—their time, energy, and aspirations. Through a series of incisive rhetorical questions, the prophet exposes the inherent futility of seeking ultimate satisfaction in transient, worldly pursuits that offer no genuine spiritual nourishment. In stark contrast, the verse extends a gracious call to diligently heed God's voice, promising abundant, lasting delight and true sustenance for the soul found exclusively in His divine provision and wisdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 55:2 is strategically placed within the latter portion of the book of Isaiah (chapters 40-66), often termed "Second Isaiah" or the "Book of Consolation." This section primarily addresses the Jewish exiles in Babylon, offering powerful messages of hope, restoration, and a future return to Jerusalem. Chapter 55 itself serves as a climactic, universal invitation, building upon the themes of God's redemptive work and His everlasting covenant introduced in preceding chapters. It directly follows the opening verse, [Isaiah 55:1](/isaiah/55-1 "Isaiah 55:1 - God's Free Invitation"), which extends a lavish invitation to all who are "thirsty" and "without money" to come and receive freely from God. The rhetorical questions in verse 2 amplify this invitation by sharply highlighting the emptiness of alternative pursuits, thereby setting the stage for the glorious promises of God's word, covenant, and the transformative impact of His presence that unfold in verses 3-13.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The original audience of Isaiah 55 was likely living in the crucible of Babylonian exile, a period marked by profound disillusionment, spiritual hunger, and the temptation to assimilate into pagan cultures or pursue purely materialistic comforts. In the ancient Near East, "bread" was not merely a food item but the quintessential symbol of sustenance, life, and well-being, representing the very foundation of existence. "Money" (silver) and "labour" represented the primary means by which people secured their livelihood, status, and sought prosperity. The prophet's pointed questions would have resonated deeply with a people striving to rebuild their lives and find meaning amidst their displacement. They challenged the exiles to consider if their efforts to find security and fulfillment were truly yielding lasting satisfaction, or if they were merely "spending money for that which is not bread," echoing the lament of those who sought genuine life apart from God's divine provision.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Isaiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **futility of human self-reliance and worldly pursuits** for ultimate satisfaction, contrasting them sharply with God's abundant and freely given provision. Secondly, it emphasizes the **sovereignty and graciousness of God**, who alone possesses what humanity desperately needs but cannot earn or achieve through its own efforts. Thirdly, the vivid imagery of "eating good" and "delighting in fatness" points to the theme of **spiritual nourishment and true flourishing** that comes exclusively from heeding God's word and entering into a covenant relationship with Him. This concept of divine sustenance is foundational, anticipating later biblical teachings about God's word as spiritual food, as seen in [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Lives by God's Word"). Finally, the urgent call to "hearken diligently" highlights the theme of **attentive listening and obedient response** as the indispensable pathway to experiencing God's promised blessings, a theme central to the covenant relationship established, for example, in [Exodus 19:5](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5 - Obedience to God's Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bread (Hebrew, _lechem'_):** From H3899, meaning "food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)." In this context, "bread" is a fundamental, life-sustaining staple, symbolizing essential nourishment and true sustenance. The rhetorical question "Wherefore do ye spend money for [that which is] not bread?" critiques the pursuit of things that, despite their cost, fail to provide the vital, life-giving spiritual nourishment that the soul requires, contrasting them with God's genuine and satisfying provision.
* **labour (Hebrew, _yᵉgîyaʻ'_):** From H3018, meaning "toil; hence, a work, produce, property (as the result of labor)." This word refers to strenuous effort, hard work, and the investment of one's life energy and resources. The subsequent question, "and your labour for [that which] satisfieth not?", challenges the misdirection of human effort and exertion towards endeavors that ultimately yield no lasting contentment or profound spiritual fulfillment, leaving the individual empty despite their toil.
* **fatness (Hebrew, _deshen'_):** From H1880, meaning "the fat; abstractly fatness, i.e. (figuratively) abundance; specifically the (fatty) ashes of sacrifices." In this verse, "fatness" signifies richness, abundance, prosperity, and the finest, most satisfying part of something. It represents a state of spiritual flourishing, deep satisfaction, and thriving, contrasting sharply with the emptiness and lack of satisfaction found in worldly pursuits. It speaks of a soul that is well-fed, robust, and deeply content in God's provision.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore do ye spend money for [that which is] not bread?":** This is the first of two poignant rhetorical questions, directly challenging the audience's misplaced priorities. It critiques the human tendency to expend valuable resources—symbolized by "money" (silver, H3701, _keçeph_)—on things that are fundamentally incapable of providing true, life-sustaining nourishment or ultimate satisfaction. The phrase "not bread" signifies anything that fails to meet the soul's deepest, most essential needs, highlighting the futility of such investments.
* **"and your labour for [that which] satisfieth not?":** This second rhetorical question extends the critique to human effort and toil. It highlights the inherent futility of investing one's life, energy, and hard work ("labour," H3018, _yᵉgîyaʻ_) into pursuits that ultimately prove unsatisfying, leaving the soul empty and unfulfilled despite the exertion. The "satisfieth not" (H7654, _sobʻâh_, with H3808, _lôʼ_, "not") emphasizes the deep, unquenchable spiritual hunger that worldly endeavors cannot appease.
* **"hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye [that which is] good,":** This clause marks a pivotal shift from divine critique to gracious invitation. "Hearken diligently" (H8085, _shâmaʻ_, repeated for emphasis) is an urgent and intentional call to attentive, obedient listening to God's voice and His divine word. The imperative to "eat ye [that which is] good" (H398, _ʼâkal_, "eat"; H2896, _ṭôwb_, "good") is a powerful metaphorical command to partake of God's provision—His truth, His promises, His very presence—which is inherently and supremely beneficial, wholesome, and life-giving.
* **"and let your soul delight itself in fatness.":** This final clause presents the glorious and abundant outcome of heeding God's invitation. The "soul" (H5315, _nephesh_, the innermost being, desires, and life force) is promised not just satisfaction but profound "delight" (H6026, _ʻânag_, "to be soft or pliable, i.g. (figuratively) effeminate or luxurious; delicate(-ness), (have) delight (self), sport self") and "fatness" (H1880, _deshen_). This rich imagery conveys a state of spiritual abundance, flourishing, deep contentment, and robust well-being that far surpasses any transient worldly pleasure or fleeting satisfaction.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 55:2 is rich in literary artistry, employing several devices to convey its powerful message with urgency and clarity. The most prominent are **Rhetorical Questions**, which open the verse. These questions ("Wherefore do ye spend money for [that which is] not bread? and your labour for [that which] satisfieth not?") are not designed to elicit a direct answer but to provoke deep introspection, challenge the audience's misplaced priorities, and highlight the inherent futility of their current pursuits. This is followed by striking **Metaphor and Imagery**, particularly the contrast between "bread" (true, life-sustaining nourishment) and "not bread" (empty, unsatisfying pursuits), and the promise of "fatness" (abundance, flourishing, spiritual richness) versus that which "satisfieth not." These culinary and agricultural images make the profound spiritual truths tangible and relatable. Furthermore, the verse employs **Antithesis** by sharply contrasting the unsatisfying nature of worldly endeavors with the profound and lasting satisfaction offered by God's provision. Finally, a clear form of **Parallelism** is evident in the two opening rhetorical questions, where "money for that which is not bread" is structurally and conceptually paralleled with "labour for which satisfieth not," reinforcing the central critique through a rhythmic repetition of structure and concept.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 55:2 stands as a timeless theological statement on the nature of true human flourishing and the singular source of ultimate satisfaction. It asserts unequivocally that humanity's deepest spiritual longings cannot be met by material wealth, strenuous effort directed towards worldly gains, or any pursuit inherently limited and transient. Instead, genuine spiritual sustenance and profound delight are found exclusively in heeding God's voice and partaking of His divine provision. This passage underscores God's character as the benevolent and sovereign provider who offers freely what is truly good and eternally satisfying, contrasting His boundless grace with the emptiness and futility of self-reliant or worldly pursuits. It serves as a compelling invitation for humanity to reorient its values, prioritizing spiritual realities over temporal ones, and highlights the indispensable role of God's word as the ultimate source of life and abundance for the soul.

* [Psalm 34:8](/psalm/34-8 "Psalm 34:8 - Taste and See That the Lord is Good")
* [Matthew 4:4](/matthew/4-4 "Matthew 4:4 - Man Shall Not Live by Bread Alone")
* [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 55:2 serves as a perennial invitation for profound self-examination, challenging us to scrutinize the investments of our lives. In a world saturated with promises of satisfaction through consumerism, career advancement, technological distraction, or fleeting pleasures, this verse acts as a divine counter-narrative, a prophetic voice cutting through the noise. It compels us to ask: Where are we truly spending our "money"—our precious time, finite energy, emotional capital, and intellectual focus? Are we pouring our "labour" into pursuits that, despite their immediate appeal or societal validation, ultimately leave our souls famished, restless, and unfulfilled? The urgent call to "hearken diligently" is a summons to intentional, disciplined, and obedient listening to God's voice through His inspired Word, through prayer, and through the discerning guidance of the Holy Spirit. Only by turning from the deceptive allure of the world's "not bread" and wholeheartedly embracing God's "good" can our souls truly "delight itself in fatness," experiencing the profound, lasting satisfaction, spiritual abundance, and deep contentment that only He can provide. This passage reminds us that true prosperity is not measured by earthly accumulation but by the soul's deep, abiding contentment in God alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "money" (time, energy, resources) am I currently spending on things that do not truly satisfy my soul or bring lasting spiritual value?**
* **In what areas of my life am I expending "labour" that, despite the effort, leaves me feeling empty or unfulfilled?**
* **How can I more diligently "hearken" to God's voice in my daily life, particularly through His Word and prayer?**
* **What does "eating that which is good"—God's provision and truth—practically look like for me, and how can I pursue it more intentionally?**
* **What would it truly mean for my soul to "delight itself in fatness," and what specific steps can I take to experience this spiritual abundance and contentment?**

### FAQ
**What does "spend money for that which is not bread" mean?**

This rhetorical question critiques the human tendency to invest valuable resources—time, energy, finances, and emotional capital—into things that ultimately fail to provide true, lasting spiritual or existential nourishment. "Bread" symbolizes essential sustenance and life, so "not bread" refers to anything that, despite its cost or effort, leaves one's deepest spiritual hunger unfulfilled. It's a profound warning against seeking ultimate satisfaction in transient, worldly pursuits that cannot deliver genuine contentment or life. The prophet encourages a radical re-evaluation of priorities, urging people to turn from these empty endeavors to God's enduring provision, which alone truly satisfies the soul, as highlighted in the subsequent call to "eat ye [that which is] good" and let the soul "delight itself in fatness." This echoes the wisdom found in [Proverbs 23:4-5](/proverbs/23-4-5 "Proverbs 23:4-5 - Do Not Toil for Wealth"), which cautions against toiling for fleeting riches.

**How does "fatness" relate to spiritual delight?**

In ancient Hebrew culture, "fatness" (Hebrew: _deshen_) was a powerful symbol of richness, abundance, prosperity, and the finest, most choice part of something. It was often associated with fertility, blessing, and robust well-being. When the verse promises that the soul will "delight itself in fatness," it signifies a state of profound spiritual flourishing, deep satisfaction, and thriving. It's not about physical weight but a metaphorical expression of a soul that is richly nourished, abundant in God's blessings, and experiencing deep contentment and joy that comes from a vibrant relationship with Him. This contrasts sharply with the emptiness and lack of satisfaction found in worldly pursuits, offering a vision of true spiritual prosperity and overflowing life, similar to the "fullness of joy" promised in [Psalm 16:11](/psalm/16-11 "Psalm 16:11 - Fullness of Joy in God's Presence").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 55:2 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the "good" that truly satisfies the soul and offers the "fatness" of abundant life. The rhetorical questions about spending "money for that which is not bread" and "labour for which satisfieth not" powerfully anticipate humanity's futile search for meaning and fulfillment apart from God, a search that inevitably culminates in spiritual emptiness and disillusionment. Jesus, however, declares Himself to be the very "Bread of Life" in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), promising that "whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." He is the divine provision, the true manna from heaven, that genuinely nourishes the soul, offering eternal life and spiritual sustenance that no worldly pursuit or human effort can ever provide. The urgent call to "hearken diligently unto me" is perfectly fulfilled in the New Covenant's invitation to listen to and follow Christ, the Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus offers not just temporary relief but a boundless spiritual "fatness"—a life of abundant grace, peace, and joy that overflows, as He Himself promised in [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus Gives Abundant Life"), "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Thus, the profound invitation of Isaiah 55:2 is ultimately an invitation to come to Christ, who alone can satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart and enable the soul to truly delight in the inexhaustible richness of God's presence.

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

John 6:48

I am that bread of life.

John 6:58

This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

Psalms 36:8

They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

Psalms 22:26

The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

Jeremiah 2:13

For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, [and] hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

Romans 10:2

For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

Romans 10:3

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.