Isaiah 58:11

Translation
King James Version
And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
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KJV (with Strong's)
And the LORD H3068 shall guide H5148 thee continually H8548, and satisfy H7646 thy soul H5315 in drought H6710, and make fat H2502 thy bones H6106: and thou shalt be like a watered H7302 garden H1588, and like a spring H4161 of water H4325, whose waters H4325 fail H3576 not.
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Complete Jewish Bible
ADONAI will always guide you; he will satisfy your needs in the desert, he will renew the strength in your limbs; so that you will be like a watered garden, like a spring whose water never fails.
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Berean Standard Bible
The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
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American Standard Version
and Jehovah will guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in dry places, and make strong thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
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World English Bible Messianic
and the LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in dry places, and make strong your bones; and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters don’t fail.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfie thy soule in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watred garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters faile not.
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Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah doth lead thee continually, And hath satisfied in drought thy soul, And thy bones He armeth, And thou hast been as a watered garden, And as an outlet of waters, whose waters lie not.
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See also
John 4:14Jeremiah 31:12Psalms 32:8Isaiah 49:10John 16:13Psalms 25:9Proverbs 11:25
In the KJVVerse 18,798 of 31,102

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SUMMARY

Isaiah 58:11 delivers a profound promise of divine sustenance and flourishing for those who embody genuine righteousness, particularly through acts of justice and compassion. This verse vividly contrasts the spiritual barrenness of superficial religiosity with a future of continuous divine guidance, deep soul satisfaction even in times of hardship, and robust inner vitality. It culminates in the imagery of a life perpetually nourished and fruitful, likened to a thriving, well-watered garden and an inexhaustible spring, symbolizing an abundant and reliable flow of God's blessing.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Isaiah 58 forms a powerful prophetic indictment against the hypocrisy of Israel's outward religious practices. The people diligently performed rituals like fasting, yet their hearts were far from God, evidenced by their injustice, oppression of workers, and internal strife. The Lord, through Isaiah, confronts this disconnect, declaring that true worship is not found in mere ceremony but in active obedience to His ethical demands. The preceding verses, particularly Isaiah 58:6-7, explicitly detail the acts of justice, compassion, and care for the vulnerable that constitute "the fast that I choose." Verse 11, therefore, serves as a climactic promise of blessing—a direct consequence and reward for those who shift from self-serving piety to Spirit-led righteousness, contrasting the barrenness of their previous superficiality with the abundant life God desires to bestow. This promise is part of a larger section (Isaiah 58:8-12) outlining the manifold blessings that accompany genuine repentance and obedience.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The imagery in Isaiah 58:11 is deeply rooted in the historical and geographical realities of the ancient Near East. In a land prone to arid conditions and reliant on seasonal rains and natural springs, the concepts of "drought," "watered garden," and "spring of water whose waters fail not" carried immense weight. Water was synonymous with life, prosperity, and divine blessing, while drought signified desolation, famine, and divine displeasure. The promise of perpetual water and a flourishing garden would have resonated powerfully with an audience intimately familiar with the struggle for survival in such an environment. Furthermore, the societal issues addressed in Isaiah 58—oppression of the poor, injustice in the courts, and religious formalism—were pervasive challenges in ancient Israel, reflecting a departure from the covenantal ideals of justice and mercy established in the Torah.
  • Key Themes: This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. It underscores the theme of Divine Guidance and Providence, assuring believers of God's unwavering direction and continuous care, a concept often found in passages like Psalm 32:8. It highlights God's Covenant Faithfulness, demonstrating that His blessings are contingent not on ritualistic performance but on genuine obedience and a heart for justice, echoing the principles found throughout Deuteronomy 28. The imagery of the "watered garden" and "unfailing spring" powerfully conveys the theme of Spiritual Vitality and Fruitfulness, contrasting with the spiritual dryness that results from unrighteousness. Finally, it reinforces the concept of Holistic Well-being, suggesting that God's provision extends beyond mere physical sustenance to encompass deep soul satisfaction and robust health, even in challenging circumstances, a promise beautifully articulated in Psalm 23:2-3.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Guide (Hebrew, nâchâh', H5148): This primitive root means "to guide," and by implication, "to transport," "bestow," "bring," "govern," or "lead forth." In Isaiah 58:11, it signifies God's active, personal, and continuous direction in the life of the righteous. It implies not merely showing the way but actively leading, protecting, and governing the path of His people, ensuring they remain on a course aligned with His will. This guidance is not intermittent but "continually" (H8548, tâmîyd), emphasizing its unwavering and perpetual nature.
  • Satisfy (Hebrew, sâbaʻ', H7646): Derived from H7646, this root means "to sate," or "to fill to satisfaction," whether literally or figuratively. It conveys the idea of having enough, being full, or having plenty of something. In the context of "satisfy thy soul in drought," it speaks to God's ability to provide profound spiritual and emotional contentment and fulfillment, even in barren or challenging circumstances. It implies a deep, inner sufficiency that transcends external scarcity, addressing the very core of one's being ("soul," H5315, nephesh).
  • Fail (Hebrew, kâzab', H3576): This primitive root means "to lie" (i.e., deceive), literally or figuratively; hence, "to fail," "be found a liar," or "be in vain." When the verse states "whose waters fail not," it uses the negative form of this word, assuring the reader that the promised spring of water will never prove to be deceptive, unreliable, or run dry. This highlights the absolute trustworthiness and inexhaustible nature of God's provision and blessing, guaranteeing a constant and dependable source of life and refreshment.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And the LORD shall guide thee continually": This opening clause establishes God (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) as the active agent and the unfailing source of all blessing. The promise of "continual" (tâmîyd, H8548) guidance emphasizes God's unwavering presence and direction in the lives of those who walk in righteousness. It speaks to a divine, ever-present leading, ensuring the believer's path is always aligned with His purpose, regardless of external circumstances.
  • "and satisfy thy soul in drought": This powerful phrase highlights God's unique ability to provide profound inner contentment and spiritual sustenance (for the 'soul', nephesh H5315) even in the most challenging, barren, or difficult periods of life, symbolized by "drought" (tsachtsâchâh, H6710). It speaks to a deep, internal satisfaction that is not dependent on external circumstances but flows from God's unfailing provision for the innermost being.
  • "and make fat thy bones": This is a vivid Hebrew idiom (châlats, H2502, 'etsem, H6106) for robust health, strength, and vitality. It signifies a deep, internal restoration and well-being that permeates one's entire physical and spiritual constitution. It implies not merely superficial health but a profound, foundational strength that allows one to thrive, endure, and be resilient in the face of adversity.
  • "and thou shalt be like a watered garden": This simile (râveh, H7302; gan, H1588) paints a picture of flourishing life, beauty, and productivity. In an arid land, a "watered garden" is a testament to life, growth, and abundance. It symbolizes a person whose life is continually nourished by God, resulting in spiritual fruitfulness, vibrancy, and a capacity to bless others through their renewed vitality.
  • "and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not": This final simile reinforces the theme of inexhaustible provision and constant refreshment. An "unfailing spring" (môwtsâʼ, H4161; mayim, H4325; kâzab, H3576) in a parched land is an invaluable, reliable source of life. It symbolizes a life that is perpetually renewed by God, not only receiving refreshment but also becoming a source of life and blessing for others, never running dry or proving unreliable.

Literary Devices

Isaiah 58:11 is rich with Imagery that powerfully contrasts desolation with abundance, primarily through the pervasive use of water. The initial mention of "drought" immediately evokes a sense of barrenness, hardship, and spiritual dryness, which is then dramatically juxtaposed with the lushness of a "watered garden" and the reliability of an "unfailing spring." This creates a vivid mental picture of profound transformation from scarcity to overflowing provision. The verse also employs prominent Simile in its concluding clauses: "thou shalt be like a watered garden" and "like a spring of water." These comparisons effectively convey the promised state of flourishing, perpetual refreshment, and fruitfulness. Furthermore, the phrase "make fat thy bones" functions as a striking Metaphor or idiom for deep, internal health and vitality, extending beyond literal physical condition to encompass spiritual robustness and resilience. The entire verse functions as a form of Parallelism, where the promises of guidance, satisfaction, and strength in the first half are mirrored, amplified, and given concrete expression through the flourishing, life-giving imagery in the second half, creating a cohesive and impactful message of divine blessing.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Isaiah 58:11 beautifully encapsulates God's character as the ultimate Sustainer and Source of life. It reveals that His desire is not merely for His people to survive, but to truly thrive, experiencing deep satisfaction and robust spiritual health. This flourishing is intrinsically linked to genuine righteousness and a heart for justice, demonstrating that true blessing flows from a life aligned with God's moral will, not from superficial religious acts. The promise of continuous guidance and unfailing provision underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, assuring them that even in the most challenging "droughts" of life, His grace is sufficient to satisfy their deepest needs and enable them to be a source of blessing to others. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that God's economy operates on principles of generosity and justice, where giving to others and seeking righteousness unlock an overflowing wellspring of divine favor.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Isaiah 58:11 offers profound encouragement and a clear challenge for believers today. It calls us to examine the authenticity of our faith, prompting us to move beyond mere religious observance to a life deeply rooted in justice, compassion, and obedience to God's commands. When our hearts genuinely seek to care for the marginalized, to act with integrity, and to pursue righteousness, we position ourselves to experience God's promised blessings. This verse assures us that even in seasons of personal "drought"—whether emotional, spiritual, or circumstantial—the Lord pledges to guide us continually, satisfy our souls, and renew our inner strength. It reminds us that spiritual vitality and fruitfulness are not dependent on external prosperity but on our intimate connection with God, making us like well-watered gardens and unfailing springs, capable of refreshing both ourselves and those around us. Our lives, when aligned with God's heart for justice, become conduits of His life-giving presence in a parched world, demonstrating His transformative power.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what areas of your life do you currently feel a "drought," and how might you invite the Lord to satisfy your soul in those areas through acts of righteousness?
  • How does your understanding of "true worship" align with the principles of justice and compassion outlined in Isaiah 58, and what practical changes might this necessitate?
  • What practical steps can you take this week to live out the "watered garden" and "unfailing spring" imagery by being a source of refreshment and blessing to others in your sphere of influence?
  • How does the promise of God's continual guidance impact your sense of security and direction in life, especially when facing uncertain paths?

FAQ

What does "make fat thy bones" mean in this context?

Answer: The phrase "make fat thy bones" (Hebrew: וְהֶחֱלִיץ עַצְמוֹתֶיךָ, v'hechlietz atzmoteicha) is an ancient Hebrew idiom that signifies robust health, strength, and vitality from within. It does not refer to literal weight gain but rather to a deep, internal well-being and invigoration that permeates one's entire being, both physically and spiritually. It implies a restoration of vigor, resilience, and a foundational strength that allows one to thrive even in challenging circumstances, contrasting sharply with the weakness or emaciation associated with hardship or spiritual dryness. This promise speaks to a profound inner renewal that strengthens the very core of a person.

How does the imagery of "drought" relate to the promises in Isaiah 58:11?

Answer: In the biblical context, especially in the arid Near East, "drought" (Hebrew: צַחְצָחָה, tsachtsachah) symbolizes periods of severe hardship, scarcity, desolation, and spiritual barrenness. It represents challenging life circumstances, times of trial, or even spiritual dryness when one feels depleted and unsupported. Isaiah 58:11 promises that even in such "droughts," the Lord will "satisfy thy soul" and provide deep nourishment and refreshment. This highlights God's supernatural ability to sustain, invigorate, and bring flourishing to His people regardless of external conditions, transforming moments of scarcity into opportunities for divine provision and inner abundance. It assures that God's care is not limited to easy times but is especially potent in seasons of need, demonstrating His unfailing faithfulness.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Isaiah 58:11 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who embodies the promises of guidance, satisfaction, and unfailing life. He is the Good Shepherd who perfectly fulfills the promise, "the LORD shall guide thee continually," leading His sheep to green pastures and still waters, as beautifully depicted in Psalm 23:2. Jesus declared Himself to be the "bread of life" and the "living water," promising that "whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again; but the water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:10-14). This directly addresses the promise to "satisfy thy soul in drought," as He provides an inexhaustible spiritual wellspring that transcends all earthly scarcity and satisfies the deepest longings of the human heart. Furthermore, Christ's work on the cross and His resurrection offer the ultimate "making fat of bones"—a spiritual revitalization and new life that transforms us from within, granting us robust spiritual health and strength that overcomes sin and death (Romans 8:11). Through Him, believers are truly transformed into "a watered garden" and "a spring of water, whose waters fail not," not only receiving abundant life but also becoming channels of His life-giving Spirit to a parched world, as He promised that "rivers of living water will flow from within them" (John 7:37-38). Thus, every promise of divine provision and flourishing in Isaiah 58:11 points to the inexhaustible grace and life found in our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of all true and lasting satisfaction.

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Commentary on Isaiah 58 verses 8–12

Here are precious promises for those to feast freely and cheerfully upon by faith who keep the fast that God has chosen; let them know that God will make it up to them. Here is,

I. A further account of the duty to be done in order to our interest in these promises (Isa 58:9, Isa 58:10); and here, as before, it is required that we both do justly and love mercy, that we cease to do evil and learn to do well. 1. We must abstain from all acts of violence and fraud. "Those must be taken away from the midst of thee, from the midst of thy person, out of thy heart" (so some); "thou must not only refrain from the practice of injury, but mortify in thee all inclination and disposition towards it." Or from the midst of thy people. Those in authority must not only not be oppressive themselves, but must do all they can to prevent and restrain oppression in all within their jurisdiction. They must not only break the yoke (Isa 58:6), but take away the yoke, that those who have been oppressed may never be re-enslaved (as they were Jer 34:10, Jer 34:11); they must likewise forbear threatening (Eph 6:9) and take away the putting forth of the finger, which seems to have been then, as sometimes with us, a sign of displeasure and the indication of a purpose to correct. Let not the finger be put forth to point at those that are poor and in misery, and so to expose them to contempt; such expressions of contumely as are provoking, and the products of ill-nature, ought to be banished from all societies. And let them not speak vanity, flattery or fraud, to one another, but let all conversation be governed by sincerity. Perhaps that dissimulation which is the bane of friendship is meant by the putting forth of the finger (as Pro 6:13 by teaching with the finger), or it is putting forth the finger with the ring on it, which was the badge of authority, and which therefore they produced when they spoke iniquity, that is, gave unrighteous sentences. 2. We must abound in all acts of charity and beneficence. We must not only give alms according as the necessities of the poor require, but, (1.) We must give freely and cheerfully, and from a principle of charity. We must draw out our soul to the hungry (Isa 58:10), not only draw out the money and reach forth the hand, but do this from the heart, heartily, and without grudging, from a principle of compassion and with a tender affection to such as we see to be in misery. Let the heart go along with the gift; for God loves a cheerful giver, and so does a poor man too. When our Lord Jesus healed and fed the multitude it was as having compassion on them. (2.) We must give plentifully and largely, so as not to tantalize, but to satisfy, the afflicted soul: "Do not only feed the hungry, but gratify the desire of the afflicted, and, if it lies in your power, make them easy." What are we born for, and what have we our abilities of body, mind, and estate for, but to do all the good we can in this world with them? And the poor we have always with us.

II. Here is a full account of the blessings and benefits which attend the performance of this duty. If a person, a family, a people, be thus disposed to every thing that is good, let them know for their comfort that they shall find God their bountiful rewarder and what they lay out in works of charity shall be abundantly made up to them. 1. God will surprise them with the return of mercy after great affliction, which shall be as welcome as the light of the morning after a long and dark night (Isa 58:8): "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning and (Isa 58:10) thy light shall rise in obscurity. Though thou hast been long buried alive thou shalt recover thy eminency; though long overwhelmed with grief, thou shalt again look pleasant as the dawning day." Those that are cheerful in doing good God will make cheerful in enjoying good; and this also is a special gift of God, Ecc 2:24. Those that have shown mercy shall find mercy. Job, who in his prosperity had done a great deal of good, had friends raised up for him by the Lord when he was reduced, who helped him with their substance, so that his light rose in obscurity. "Not only thy light, which is sweet, but thy health too, or the healing of the wounds thou hast long complained of, shall spring forth speedily; all thy grievances shall be redressed, and thou shalt renew thy youth and recover thy vigour." Those that have helped others out of trouble will obtain help of God when it is their turn. 2. God will put honour upon them. Good works shall be recompensed with a good name; this is included in that light which rises out of obscurity. Though a man's extraction be mean, his family obscure, and he has no external advantages to gain him honour, yet, if he do good in his place, that will procure him respect and veneration, and his darkness shall by this means become as the noon-day, that is, he shall become very eminent and shine brightly in his generation. See here what is the surest way for a man to make himself illustrious; let him study to do good. He that would be the greatest of all, and best-loved, let him by humility and industry make himself a servant of all. "Thy righteousness shall answer for thee (as Jacob says, Gen 30:33), that is, it shall silence reproaches, nay, it shall bespeak thee more praises than thy humility can be pleased with." He that has given to the poor, his righteousness (that is, the honour of it) endures for ever, Psa 112:9. 3. They shall always be safe under the divine protection: "Thy righteousness shall go before thee as thy vanguard, to secure thee from enemies that charge thee in the front, and the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward, the gathering host, to bring up those of thee that are weary and are left behind, and to secure thee from the enemies, that, like Amalek, fall upon thy rear." Observe, How good people are safe on all sides. Let them look which way they will, behind them or before them; let them look backward or forward; they see themselves safe, and find themselves easy and quiet from the fear of evil. And observe what it is that is their defence; it is their righteousness, and the glory of the Lord, that is, as some suppose, Christ; for it is by him that we are justified, and God is glorified. He it is that goes before us, and is the captain of our salvation, as he is the Lord our righteousness; he it is that is our rearward, on whom alone we can depend for safety when our sins pursue us and are ready to take hold on us. Or, "God himself in his providence and grace shall both go before thee as thy guide to conduct thee, and attend thee as thy rearward to protect thee, and this shall be the reward of thy righteousness and so shall be for the glory of the Lord as the rewarder of it." 4. God will be always nigh unto them, to hear their prayers, Isa 58:9. As, on the one hand, he that shuts his ears to the cry of the poor shall himself cry and God will not hear him; so, on the other hand, he that is liberal to the poor, his prayers shall come up with his alms for a memorial before God, as Cornelius's did (Act 10:4): "Then shalt thou call, on thy fast-days, which ought to be days of prayer, and the Lord shall answer, shall give thee the things thou callest to him for; thou shalt cry when thou art in any distress or sudden fright, and he shall say, Here I am." This is a very condescending expression of God's readiness to hear prayer. When God calls to us by his word it becomes us to say, Here we are; what saith our Lord unto his servants? But that God should say to us, Behold me, here I am, is strange. When we cry to him, as if he were at a distance, he will let us know that he is near, even at our right hand, nearer than we thought he was. It is I, be not afraid. When danger is near our protector is nearer, a very present help. "Here I am, ready to give you what you want, and do for you what you desire; what have you to say to me?" God is attentive to the prayers of the upright, Psa 130:2. No sooner do they call to him than he answers, Ready, ready. Wherever they are praying, God says, "Here I am hearing; I am in the midst of you." He is nigh unto them in all things, Deu 4:7. 6. God will direct them in all difficult and doubtful cases (Isa 58:11): The Lord shall guide thee continually. While we are here, in the wilderness of this world, we have need of continual direction from heaven; for, if at any time we be left to ourselves, we shall certainly miss our way; and therefore it is to those who are good in God's sight that he gives the wisdom which in all cases is profitable to direct, and he will be to them instead of eyes, Ecc 2:26. His providence will make their way plain to them, both what is their duty and what will be most for their comfort. 6. God will give them abundance of satisfaction in their own minds. As the world is a wilderness in respect of wanderings, so that they need to be guided continually, so also is it in respect of wants, which makes it necessary that they should have continual supplies, as Israel in the wilderness had not only the pillar of cloud to guide them continually, but manna and water out of the rock to satisfy their souls in drought, in a dry and thirsty land where no water is, Psa 63:1. To a good man God gives not only wisdom and knowledge, but joy; he is satisfied in himself with the testimony of his conscience and the assurances of God's favour. "These will satisfy thy soul, will put gladness into thy heart, even in the drought of affliction; these will make fat thy bones, and fill them with marrow, will give thee that pleasure which will be a support to thee as the bones to the body, that joy of the Lord which will be thy strength. He shall give thy bones rest" (so some read it), "rest from the pain and sickness which they have laboured under and been chastened with;" so it agrees with that promise made to the merciful. The Lord will make all his bed in his sickness, Psa 41:3. "Thou shalt be like a watered garden, so flourishing and fruitful in graces and comforts, and like a spring of water, like a garden that has a spring of water in it, whose waters fail not either in droughts or in frosts." The principle of holy love in those that are good shall be a well of living water, Joh 4:14. As a spring of water, though it is continually sending forth its streams, is yet always full, so the charitable man abounds in good as he abounds in doing good and is never the poorer for his liberality. He that waters shall himself be watered. 7. They and their families shall be public blessings. It is a good reward to those that are fruitful and useful to be rendered more so, and especially to have those who descend from them to be so too. This is here promised (Isa 58:12): "Those that now are of thee, thy princes, and nobles, and great men, shall have such authority and influence as they never had;" or, "Those that hereafter shall be of thee, thy posterity, shall be serviceable to their generation, as thou art to thine." It completes the satisfaction of a good man, as to this world, to think that those that come after him shall be doing good when he is gone. 1. They shall re-edify cities that have been long in ruins, shall build the old waste places, which had lain so long desolate that the rebuilding of them was quite despaired of. This was fulfilled when the captives, after their return, repaired the cities of Judah, and dwelt in them, and many of those in Israel too, which had lain waste ever since the carrying away of the ten tribes. 2. They shall carry on and finish that good work which was begun long before, and shall be helped over the obstructions which had retarded the progress of it: They shall raise up to the top that building the foundation of which was laid long since and has been for many generations in the rearing. This was fulfilled when the building of the temple was revived after it had stood still for many years, Ezr 5:2. Or, "They shall raise up foundations which shall continue for many generations yet to come;" they shall do that good which shall be of lasting consequence. 3. They shall have the blessing and praise of all about them: "Thou shalt be called (and it shall be to thy honour) the repairer of the breach, the breach made by the enemy in the wall of a besieged city, which whoso has the courage and dexterity to make up, or make good, gains great applause." Happy are those who make up the breach at which virtue is running out and judgments are breaking in. "Thou shalt be the restorer of paths, safe and quiet paths, not only to travel in, but to dwell in, so safe and quiet that people shall make no difficulty of building their houses by the road-side." The sum is that, if they keep such fasts as God has chosen, he will settle them again in their former peace and prosperity, and there shall be none to make them afraid. See Zac 7:5, Zac 7:9; Zac 8:3-5. It teaches us that those who do justly and love mercy shall have the comfort thereof in this world.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 8–12. Public domain.
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JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Isaiah
(Verse 11) And the Lord will always give you rest, and will fill your soul with splendor, and will free your bones. And you will be like a well-watered garden, and like a fountain of water, whose waters will not fail. LXX: And your God will be with you always: and you will be filled as your soul desires, and your bones will become fat. And they will be like a drunken garden, and like a fountain, whose water will not fail. What is added at the beginning of this chapter in the Alexandrian manuscripts: And still praise will be in you always; and in the end your bones will rise like grass, and become fat, and they will possess the inheritance for generations upon generations. This is not found in Hebrew, nor even in the corrected and true copies of the Seventy: hence, it should be marked with an obelus. When the darkness, says he, of thine heart shall be dissolved in the rising light, and midday shall have arisen from palpable night, then wilt thou always have God as thy inhabitant, who shall fill thy soul with brightness. Of whom it is said in the Psalms: With thee is the principality of thy power, in brightnesses of the saints, from the womb before the morning star I begot thee (Ps. 109:4) . Whether thou shalt be satisfied with all things which thy soul desireth, because thou also hast satisfied the hungry soul, and shalt be able to say: Bless the Lord, O my soul, who filleth thy desire with good things (Ps. 102:5) ; and thy bones shall be delivered from death and perpetual fire. Or, they will cause them to become thick again, which had been made thin by the hunger of speech of the Lord. And indeed, we can understand this both in a literal sense concerning the resurrection of bodies that are going to fall, and concerning the virtues of the soul, which the holy one speaks of in the psalm, 'All my bones will say, Lord, who is like you?' (Ps. 34:10). Regarding these matters, it is also written in Proverbs, 'Good fame fattens the bones' (Prov. 15:30). And to those who are promised rewards, Health will be to your body, and healing to your bones (Prov. XVI, 24). Concerning them it is written again, The Lord keeps all their bones, not one of them shall be broken (Ps. XXXIII, 21). On the contrary, the sinner, who has lost strength and virtue of the soul, laments and speaks: Our bones are scattered nearby the underworld (Ps. CXL, 7). For we cannot believe that the bones of sinners are not in hell, but near hell. And good fame fattens the bones (Prov. XV, 30), which does not pertain to the nourishment of the body. It follows: And you will be, or it will be, that is, either you or your soul, like a well-watered garden: of which it is written: A spring went out and watered the whole face of the garden (Genes. II, 6), which is read as 'garden' in Hebrew. We can say that this spring is none other than the one to whom it is said, With you is the fountain of life (Ps. XXXV, 10): which continually waters His Church and the hearts of all believers.
Cyril of AlexandriaAD 444
COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 5:4.58:11
Those who were of Israel by blood are written as a type when God sent down manna from heaven. For this figure can be thought of as the bread of angels and as heavenly bread. For there are those in whose minds the divine light shines brightly and who work hard and irreproachably to know the holy Scriptures—we say that these people are filled and brimming with the heavenly nourishment of God.… Now whoever receives knowledge and is filled by his divine mysteries, that person’s bones have flesh put on them. For the oracle here is constructed in fleshly terms. Their soul became like a lush garden, that is, luxuriant and tree-filled and with many types of flowers abounding and providing all sorts of fruit. For gardens that lack water are exceedingly ugly, being dry and barren of all fruit.… For just the hardiest among trees has the most beautiful fruit, so also fairest and finest virtues exist in God’s sight among the souls of the saints.
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 18:58.11
As for “Here I am,” this does not mean a voice but the operation through actions. For you are taught by events that the God whom you called on is with you.You will have God present, who will offer you a share of his goodness. We think by “bones” is meant the thoughts; for these receive joy. For if anyone takes God’s promise to his “bones,” he will not miss the intention of the prophecy. For the body is enriched by joy in the soul. “For a joyful heart cheers the face.”
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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