Isaiah 55:10 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 55:10 mean?

Isaiah 55:10 uses the image of rain and snow falling from the sky to show how these things water the earth, causing plants to grow and provide seed for planting and bread for eating. The verse is explaining that just as rain and snow have a purpose and do not return to the sky without accomplishing it, so too does something else that comes from God.

In Isaiah 55:10, the prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Israel, using a picture from everyday life to help them understand how God's actions are purposeful and effective. The verse sets up a comparison that will be completed in the next verse, showing that God's word is reliable and brings about real results, just as rain and snow make the earth fruitful.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 55:10

• "rain" (מָטָר, matar): This word refers to the regular, life-giving rain that falls from the sky, essential for crops and survival in ancient Israel.
• "watereth" (רָוָה, ravah): This word means to soak or satisfy with water, emphasizing how the rain thoroughly nourishes the earth, not just touching the surface.
• "bring forth" (יָלַד, yalad): Often used for giving birth, here it pictures the earth as producing new life, highlighting the creative power of the rain.
• "bud" (צָמַח, tsamach): This word means to sprout or grow, focusing on the visible result of the rain’s work—new plants emerging.

Why Isaiah 55:10 matters

• Isaiah 55:10 clears up the idea that God’s actions are random or ineffective; it emphasizes that, like rain, what God sends out has a real, visible effect.
• The verse prepares the reader for the next verse, where God’s word is directly compared to this process, making the point that God’s promises and commands are dependable and fruitful.
• By using familiar images from farming life, Isaiah makes a spiritual truth understandable and memorable for his listeners, connecting everyday experience with trust in God’s faithfulness.