Bible/Isaiah/55

Isaiah 55:9

55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

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“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

55:10 For 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:

What does Isaiah 55:9 mean?

Isaiah 55:9 is a verse in the book of Isaiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim), גָּבַהּ (gâbahh), אֶרֶץ (ʼerets). It connects to 10 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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For
as
the
heavensשָׁמַיִםshâmayim/shaw-mah'-yim/H8064the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
are
higherגָּבַהּgâbahh/gaw-bah'/H1361to soar, i.e. be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty
than
the
earth,אֶרֶץʼerets/eh'-rets/H776the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
so
are
my
waysדֶּרֶךְderek/deh'-rek/H1870a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
higherגָּבַהּgâbahh/gaw-bah'/H1361to soar, i.e. be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty
than
your
ways,דֶּרֶךְderek/deh'-rek/H1870a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
and
my
thoughtsמַחֲשָׁבָהmachăshâbâh/makh-ash-aw-baw'/H4284a contrivance, i.e. (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)
than
your
thoughts.מַחֲשָׁבָהmachăshâbâh/makh-ash-aw-baw'/H4284a contrivance, i.e. (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)

Commentary on Isaiah 55:9

HENRY_FULL · Isaiah 55:9
in common conversation, contrary to the law of the ninth commandment. 2. That which it is here condemned for is the mischievousness of it; it is in its power to ruin not only men's reputation, but their lives, estates, families, all that is dear to them. A false testimony is every thing that is dangerous; it is a maul (or club to knock a man's brains out with), a flail, which there is no fence against; it is a sword to wound near at hand and a sharp arrow to wound at a distance; we have therefore need to pray, Deliver my soul, O Lord! from lying lips, Ps. cxx. 2 . 19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. 1. The confidence of an unfaithful man (so some read it) will be like a broke

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Deuteronomy 24:12

And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge:

Job 24:7

They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold.

Ecclesiastes 3:4

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Isaiah 10:26

And the LORD of hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and as his rod was upon the sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt.

Isaiah 58:7

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? cast: or, afflicted

Daniel 6:18

Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him. instruments: or, table

Romans 12:15

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

James 2:15

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

James 2:16

And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

James 5:15

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Isaiah 55:9.

Genesis 1:1

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:15

And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

Genesis 1:17

And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,

Genesis 1:20

And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. moving: or, creeping life: Heb. soul fowl: Heb. let fowl fly open: Heb. face of the firmament of heaven

Genesis 1:26

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Genesis 1:28

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. moveth: Heb. creepeth

Genesis 1:30

And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. life: Heb. a living soul

Genesis 2:1

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.

Frequently asked questions

What does Isaiah 55:9 say?

Isaiah 55:9 (King James Version) reads: "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Is Isaiah 55:9 in the Old or New Testament?

Isaiah 55:9 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Isaiah.

Reflect

As you read Isaiah 55:9, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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