The big picture
Isaiah 55 opens in verse 1 with “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 7 with “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return…”, and closes in verse 13 with “Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, thoughts, ways, money, bread. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Isaiah · King James Version · 13Isaiah 55:1-7
1–7: Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no…
Isaiah 55:1–7 opens with “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy…” and reaches “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Isaiah 55 develops its own movement around LORD, thoughts, ways, money, bread, with particular weight carried by LORD, money, call.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
Isaiah 55:1-7
King James Version1Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2Wherefore 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.
3Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
4Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
5Behold, 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.
6Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7Let 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.
Isaiah 55:8-13
8–13: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways…
Isaiah 55:8–13 opens with “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD .” and reaches “Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Isaiah 55 develops its own movement around LORD, thoughts, ways, money, bread, with particular weight carried by thoughts, ways, earth.
Context that brings the passage to life
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD .” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Isaiah 55:8-13
King James Version8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD .
9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
12For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Isaiah 55:1 begins with “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and…”
Where the chapter turns
Isaiah 55:2 forms a natural hinge: “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…”
The final note
Isaiah 55:13 leaves the reader with “Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, thoughts, ways, money, bread, call help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.