Isaiah 49:9

That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that [are] in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures [shall be] in all high places.

That thou mayest say {H559} to the prisoners {H631}, Go forth {H3318}; to them that are in darkness {H2822}, Shew {H1540} yourselves. They shall feed {H7462} in the ways {H1870}, and their pastures {H4830} shall be in all high places {H8205}.

to say to the prisoners, 'Come out!' to those in darkness, 'Show yourselves!' They will feed along the paths, and all the high hills will be their pastures.

to say to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.’ They will feed along the pathways, and find pasture on every barren hill.

saying to them that are bound, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and on all bare heights shall be their pasture.

Commentary

Context

Isaiah 49:9 is part of the second of Isaiah's "Servant Songs" (chapters 42, 49, 50, 52-53), which progressively reveal the identity and mission of God's chosen Servant. In this chapter, the Servant is initially identified with Israel, but the scope quickly broadens to a singular figure who will bring Israel back to God and also be a "light to the Gentiles" (Isaiah 49:6). This verse specifically describes the Servant's liberating work, echoing the prophetic message of restoration from the Babylonian exile while simultaneously pointing to a deeper, spiritual liberation for all humanity.

Key Themes

  • Liberation and Freedom: The primary message is one of release from bondage. "Prisoners" and those "in darkness" represent not only those held in physical captivity but also those enslaved by sin, ignorance, or spiritual blindness. The command "Go forth" signifies divine authorization for total emancipation.
  • Light and Revelation: For those "in darkness," the command "Shew yourselves" implies a movement from obscurity into the light of truth and divine presence. It speaks to the unveiling of spiritual realities and the breaking of spiritual ignorance.
  • Divine Provision and Sustenance: The imagery of "They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places" speaks to God's abundant and unexpected provision. Even in seemingly barren or difficult paths ("the ways") or desolate heights ("high places"), God promises rich nourishment and care for those who are set free. This emphasizes supernatural sustenance and guidance.
  • The Servant's Mission: The verse highlights the Servant's compassionate and powerful role in bringing about this comprehensive liberation and provision, a role ultimately fulfilled by the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "prisoners," 'asirim (אֲסִירִים), refers to those bound or confined, often in a dungeon or literal prison. "Darkness," choshek (חֹשֶׁךְ), frequently carries a metaphorical sense in Scripture, representing spiritual ignorance, sin, distress, or separation from God. The phrase "feed in the ways" (עַל־דְּרָכִים יִרְעוּ) literally means "they shall graze on the paths/roads," suggesting that sustenance will be found even in places of travel or ordinary life, not just traditional pastures. "Pastures in all high places" (וּבְכָל־שְׁפָיִם מִרְעֵיהֶם) implies that even barren or elevated ground will yield nourishment, signifying extraordinary and universal provision.

Related Scriptures

The imagery of releasing captives and bringing light to those in darkness directly foreshadows the ministry of Jesus Christ, who came "to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind" (Luke 4:18). This verse also connects to the earlier Servant Song in Isaiah 42:7, which speaks of the Servant "to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house." The promise of abundant provision, where they "shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places," echoes the shepherd imagery of divine care and sustenance found in passages like Psalm 23.

Practical Application

Isaiah 49:9 offers profound hope and encouragement. For those who feel trapped by circumstances, sin, or despair, it speaks of God's power to bring total liberation. It reminds believers that God's provision is not limited to conventional means; He can make "pastures" in unexpected and challenging "high places." This verse also serves as a call to action for followers of Christ: to participate in the Servant's mission by sharing the Gospel, which brings spiritual freedom and light to those still in darkness, and to trust in God's faithful and abundant provision in every aspect of life.

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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 42:16 (5 votes)

    And I will bring the blind by a way [that] they knew not; I will lead them in paths [that] they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

  • Isaiah 42:7 (5 votes)

    To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, [and] them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

  • Psalms 102:20 (3 votes)

    To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;

  • Psalms 69:33 (3 votes)

    For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.

  • Isaiah 41:18 (3 votes)

    I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

  • Luke 4:18 (3 votes)

    The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

  • 1 Peter 2:9 (3 votes)

    But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: