If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

ISAIAH 1:19KJV
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Isaiah 1:19 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 1:19 mean?

Isaiah 1:19 presents a choice to the people of Judah: if they are willing to listen to God and do what he asks, they will enjoy the produce of their land. The promise addresses a people whose conduct has brought them under God’s rebuke.

God is speaking through Isaiah. After the invitation to discuss their wrongdoing in verse 18, the promise of food from the land pictures a future in which the people can live on what their land produces.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 1:19

  • “willing” — אָבָה (avah): The word carries the sense of being willing or consenting. Here, it points to a readiness to respond to what God has said.
  • “obedient” — שָׁמַע (shamaʿ): This word can mean “hear” or “listen,” including listening in a way that leads to obedience. The KJV brings out the response called for, not merely the act of hearing.
  • “good” — טוּב (tuv): This word can refer to good things or abundance. With “eat,” it suggests the land’s produce, rather than an abstract idea of goodness.

Why Isaiah 1:19 matters

  • The response God asks for includes how people treat others. Earlier, Isaiah calls them to seek justice, help the oppressed, and defend people without protection (verse 17).
  • The promise stands beside a warning of destruction. Verse 20 contrasts eating the land’s good with being “devoured with the sword” if the people refuse and rebel.
  • The offer is addressed to the people together. The KJV’s “ye” addresses more than one person, fitting Isaiah’s message to Judah and Jerusalem (verse 1).

Where else these words appear

“good” Hebrew H2898 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 24:10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
  • Nehemiah 9:35 For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.
  • Psalms 145:7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.

“willing” Hebrew H14 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 24:5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
  • 1 Samuel 22:17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
  • 1 Chronicles 10:4 Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.