Isaiah 55:5

Behold, thou shalt call a nation [that] thou knowest not, and nations [that] knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

Behold, thou shalt call {H7121} a nation {H1471} that thou knowest {H3045} not, and nations {H1471} that knew {H3045} not thee shall run {H7323} unto thee because of the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, and for the Holy One {H6918} of Israel {H3478}; for he hath glorified {H6286} thee.

You will summon a nation you do not know, and a nation that doesn't know you will run to you, for the sake of ADONAI your God, the Holy One of Isra'el, who will glorify you."

Surely you will summon a nation you do not know, and nations who do not know you will run to you. For the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, has bestowed glory on you.”

Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not; and a nation that knew not thee shall run unto thee, because of Jehovah thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

Isaiah 55:5 presents a profound prophetic vision of God's global redemptive plan, extending His invitation of salvation beyond the nation of Israel to all peoples. This verse highlights the magnetic power of God's glory to draw distant nations to Himself.

Context

This verse is part of Isaiah chapter 55, often referred to as the "Great Invitation" chapter. Following chapters that describe the suffering and triumph of the Servant of the Lord (e.g., Isaiah 53), Isaiah 55 invites all who are thirsty to come and receive salvation freely. Verse 5 specifically looks forward to the glorious outcome of this divine work, where Israel, or more accurately, the Servant/Messiah, becomes the focal point for the nations. It envisions a post-exilic restoration that extends far beyond the physical return to the land, encompassing a spiritual ingathering of the Gentiles.

Key Themes

  • The Universal Call: The prophecy foretells a time when "nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee." This is a clear indication of the inclusion of Gentiles (non-Israelites) into God's covenant community, a theme reiterated throughout prophetic literature. This expands on earlier promises of nations flowing to the mountain of the Lord's house, emphasizing God's desire for all humanity to come to Him.
  • Divine Initiative and Glory: The primary reason for this global convergence is "because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee." It is God's own character, holiness, and the glory He bestows upon His chosen instrument (Israel or, ultimately, the Messiah) that serves as the irresistible draw. This glorification culminates in Christ, who declared, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
  • The Role of the Servant/Messiah: While "thou" can refer to Israel, in the broader context of Isaiah's Servant Songs, it strongly points to the Messiah. He is the one who will "call a nation that thou knowest not," fulfilling the role of a light to the Gentiles, bringing salvation to the ends of the earth. His glorification by God is the magnet.

Linguistic Insights

The title "Holy One of Israel" is a distinctive and frequently used designation for God in the book of Isaiah, appearing over 25 times. It emphasizes God's absolute moral purity, His transcendence, and His unique relationship as the covenant God of Israel. It underscores the profound reverence and awe due to Him, reinforcing that it is His inherent holiness and faithfulness that ultimately attracts the nations, not human effort alone.

Practical Application

Isaiah 55:5 reminds believers today of God's expansive heart for all humanity. It calls us to participate in His mission, knowing that it is not by our own power but "because of the LORD thy God" that people are drawn. This verse fuels evangelism and missions, encouraging us to share the good news with those who "know not God," trusting that His glory, revealed through Christ and His people, will draw them. It instills hope for a future where people from every tribe and nation will acknowledge the one true God, fulfilling God's ultimate plan of gathering a multitude that no man can number around His throne.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 60:9

    ¶ Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.

  • Isaiah 60:5

    Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.

  • Zechariah 2:11

    And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

  • Romans 15:20

    Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

  • Isaiah 45:23

    I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth [in] righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

  • Isaiah 55:4

    Behold, I have given him [for] a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

  • Isaiah 11:10

    ¶ And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

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