Isaiah 55:7

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Let the wicked {H7563} forsake {H5800} his way {H1870}, and the unrighteous {H205} man {H376} his thoughts {H4284}: and let him return {H7725} unto the LORD {H3068}, and he will have mercy {H7355} upon him; and to our God {H430}, for he will abundantly {H7235} pardon {H5545}.

Let the wicked person abandon his way and the evil person his thoughts; let him return to ADONAI, and he will have mercy on him; let him return to our God, for he will freely forgive.

Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Isaiah 55:7 is a profound invitation from God, urging a radical transformation of life and mind, promising boundless mercy and forgiveness to those who respond. It stands as a beacon of hope, particularly for those who feel distant from God due to their choices.

Context

This verse is nestled within Isaiah chapter 55, often referred to as a "gospel chapter" in the Old Testament. It follows a magnificent call for all who are thirsty and hungry to come to God for spiritual nourishment and an everlasting covenant (Isaiah 55:1-3). The prophet Isaiah, speaking centuries before Christ, delivers a message of divine grace and restoration, particularly relevant to the people of Israel facing or experiencing exile. It emphasizes that God's ways and thoughts are far superior to human ways, laying the groundwork for the call to repentance in this verse.

Key Themes

  • Repentance and Transformation: The verse calls for a dual action: forsaking "his way" (actions, conduct) and "his thoughts" (inner attitudes, intentions). True repentance involves a change of both outward behavior and inward disposition.
  • Divine Invitation: It highlights God's proactive outreach to humanity, offering reconciliation rather than judgment. The command to "return unto the LORD" is an open invitation for reconciliation.
  • Boundless Mercy and Pardon: The promise is clear: God "will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." This underscores God's compassionate nature and His readiness to forgive completely, regardless of past transgressions.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "forsake" is ‘azab, meaning to abandon, leave, or utterly desert. It implies a decisive break from sinful patterns. The word for "return" is shuv, a foundational concept in biblical theology signifying repentance – a turning away from sin and a turning back to God. The phrase "abundantly pardon" comes from the Hebrew harbah lisloach, which literally means "to multiply forgiveness" or "to greatly pardon." This emphasizes the vastness and completeness of God’s forgiveness, indicating there is no limit to His willingness to forgive when genuine repentance occurs.

Practical Application

Isaiah 55:7 remains profoundly relevant today. It calls every individual, regardless of their past, to a life-altering decision. It teaches that God’s forgiveness is not conditional on our perfect behavior, but on our willingness to turn from our sin and toward Him. This verse encourages us to examine our habits and our inner thoughts, recognizing that both need to align with God’s will. It provides immense comfort, assuring us that God’s grace is sufficient to cover all our sins, offering a fresh start and a renewed relationship with our Creator. This divine promise of forgiveness echoes through the New Testament, culminating in the salvation offered through Jesus Christ, who makes full pardon possible.

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.

  • Proverbs 28:13

    ¶ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.

  • James 4:8

    Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.

  • James 4:10

    Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

  • Ezekiel 18:21

    ¶ But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

  • Ezekiel 18:23

    Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: [and] not that he should return from his ways, and live?

  • Isaiah 44:22

    I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

  • Luke 15:10

    Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

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