Isaiah 56:2

56:1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. judgment: or, equity

Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.

KJV

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Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast; who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.

Blessed is the man that does this, and the son of man that lays hold on it; that keeps the sabbath from polluting it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil. ¶

56:3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

What does Isaiah 56:2 mean?

Isaiah 56:2 is a verse in the book of Isaiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include אֶשֶׁר (ʼesher), אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh), עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh). It connects to 5 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

Blessedאֶשֶׁרʼesher/eh'-sher/H835happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!

the

manאֱנוֹשׁʼĕnôwsh/en-oshe'/H582a man in general (singly or collectively)

that

doethעָשָׂהʻâsâh/aw-saw'/H6213to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

this,

and

the

sonבֵּןbên/bane/H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)

manאָדָםʼâdâm/aw-dawm'/H120ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

that

layeth

holdחָזַקchâzaq/khaw-zak'/H2388to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer

it;

that

keepethשָׁמַרshâmar/shaw-mar'/H8104properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.

the

sabbathשַׁבָּתshabbâth/shab-bawth'/H7676intermission, i.e (specifically) the Sabbath

from

pollutingחָלַלchâlal/khaw-lal'/H2490properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin (as if by an 'opening wedge'); to play (the flute)

it,

and

keepethשָׁמַרshâmar/shaw-mar'/H8104properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.

his

handיָדyâd/yawd/H3027a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),

from

doingעָשָׂהʻâsâh/aw-saw'/H6213to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

any

evil.רַעraʻ/rah/H7451bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

Commentary on Isaiah 56:2

HENRY_FULL · Isaiah 56:2

It is sometimes with impatience that we expect to hear from abroad; our souls thirst after it. But we should check the inordinateness of that desire; if it be bad news, it will come too soon, if good, it will be welcome at any time. 2. How acceptable such good news will be when it does come, as refreshing as cold water to one that is thirsty. Solomon himself had much trading abroad, as well as correspondence by his ambassadors with foreign courts; and how pleasant it was to hear of the good success of his negotiations abroad he well knew by experience. Heaven is a country afar off; how refreshing is it to hear good news thence, both in the everlasting gospel, which signified glad tidings, and in the witness of the Spirit with our spirits that we are God's children. 26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. It is here represented as a very lamentable thing, and a public grievance, and of ill consequence to many, like the

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Isaiah 27:2

In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine.

John 5:44

How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

2 Corinthians 12:1

It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory.1063 I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I will come: Gr. For I will come

2 Corinthians 12:11

I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

Philippians 2:3

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Topics

Sabbath Sabbath, the

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Isaiah 56:2.

Genesis 6:4

There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

Exodus 31:13

Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.

Exodus 31:14

Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Exodus 31:16

Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

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 19:16

And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.

Genesis 2:15

And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. the man: or, Adam

Genesis 2:18

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. meet: Heb. as before him

Frequently asked questions

What does Isaiah 56:2 say?

Isaiah 56:2 (King James Version) reads: "Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil."

Is Isaiah 56:2 in the Old or New Testament?

Isaiah 56:2 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Isaiah.

Reflect

As you read Isaiah 56:2, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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