Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

ISAIAH 34:16KJV
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Isaiah 34:16 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 34:16 mean?

Isaiah 34:16 urges readers to look into the "book of the LORD" and see that none of God's predictions will fail; everything God has spoken will come to pass, and nothing will be missing or left unfulfilled. The verse emphasizes that God's command and Spirit have ensured these things will happen just as declared.

Isaiah is speaking to people witnessing or hearing about God's coming judgment on the nations, especially Edom. The "book of the LORD" refers to God's written word or prophetic record. The verse assures the audience that every detail of God's warning and promise is certain, because it is backed by God's own authority and power.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 34:16

  • "book" (סֵפֶר, sefer): This word points to a written record, highlighting that God's words are not just spoken but preserved and accessible for people to check and confirm.
  • "fail" (פָּקַד, pāqad): The sense here is that none of God's words or predictions will be missing or go unfulfilled, stressing the reliability of what God has declared.
  • "mate" (רֵעַ, re'a): This word can mean a companion or counterpart. In context, it suggests that every prophecy or warning will find its exact fulfillment—nothing will be left unmatched or incomplete.
  • "spirit" (רוּחַ, ruach): This refers to God's active presence or force, showing that it is not just God's words but also His Spirit that brings about what He has promised.

Why Isaiah 34:16 matters

  • Isaiah 34:16 clears up any doubt that God's warnings and promises are vague or uncertain; every detail is intentional and will come true.
  • The verse emphasizes the trustworthiness of God's written word, encouraging readers to check and see for themselves rather than just relying on hearsay.
  • In the wider context, Isaiah 34:16 highlights that God's judgment is not random or accidental but is the result of His deliberate command and action, reinforcing the seriousness and certainty of His plans.

Where else these words appear

“mate” Hebrew H7468 · used in 6 verses

  • Exodus 11:2 Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.
  • Esther 1:19 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.
  • Jeremiah 9:20 Yet hear the word of the LORD, O ye women, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth, and teach your daughters wailing, and every one her neighbour lamentation.

“fail” Hebrew H5737 · used in 11 verses

  • 1 Samuel 30:19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:33 Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.
  • Isaiah 7:25 And on all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns: but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle.

“these” Hebrew H2007 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 6:2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
  • Numbers 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.
  • Jeremiah 5:6 Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased.

“gathered” Hebrew H6908 · used in 121 verses

  • Genesis 41:35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:4 So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?
  • Jeremiah 31:8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.