I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

ISAIAH 43:6KJV
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What does Isaiah 43:6 mean?

Isaiah 43:6 describes God commanding distant lands in every direction to release His people, calling for His sons and daughters to return from all over the earth. The verse pictures a worldwide gathering, with God ensuring that none of His people are kept away, no matter how far they have been scattered.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Isaiah to the people of Israel, who have experienced exile and dispersion. The language emphasizes God’s authority over all nations and His determination to bring His people back home. The mention of “sons” and “daughters” from “the ends of the earth” highlights the completeness of this promised return, showing that no one is forgotten or beyond God’s reach.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 43:6

  • “north” (צָפוֹן, tsafon) and “south” (תֵּימָן, teiman): These words show that God’s command covers every direction, not just the places of Israel’s immediate exile, but the whole world.
  • “give up” (נָתַן, natan) and “keep not back” (כָּלָא, kala): These words are commands to the lands themselves, almost as if God is speaking to the places holding His people captive, insisting they release them.
  • “sons” (בֵּן, ben) and “daughters” (בַּת, bat): By naming both sons and daughters, the verse stresses that the promise of return is for all of God’s people, not just a select group.
  • “from far” (רָחוֹק, rachoq) and “from the ends of the earth” (קָצֶה הָאָרֶץ, qatseh ha’aretz): These phrases underline the vast distances involved, making clear that God’s reach extends everywhere.

Why Isaiah 43:6 matters

  • Isaiah 43:6 clears up the idea that only some Israelites would return; the language makes it clear that God’s promise is for all His people, wherever they are.
  • The verse highlights God’s power over all nations and places, showing that no force can prevent Him from fulfilling His promises.
  • In the wider context of Isaiah 43, this verse is part of a message of comfort and hope, assuring the people that exile is not the end and that God’s care extends to every individual, no matter how far away.

Where else these words appear

“back” Hebrew H3607 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 8:2 The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;
  • 1 Samuel 25:33 And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.
  • Ecclesiastes 8:8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

“south” Hebrew H8486 · used in 22 verses

  • Exodus 26:18 And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward.
  • Numbers 10:6 When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys.
  • Psalms 78:26 He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.

“far” Hebrew H7350 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 22:4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:36 If they sin against thee,(for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;
  • Isaiah 33:13 Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might.

“ends” Hebrew H7097 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 8:3 And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
  • Joshua 3:15 And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water,(for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
  • Psalms 19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.