Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
ISAIAH 55:2KJVWhat does Isaiah 55:2 mean?
Isaiah 55:2 asks why people spend their resources and efforts on things that do not truly satisfy, urging them instead to listen carefully to God and receive what is genuinely good and fulfilling. The verse uses the image of food to describe the difference between empty pursuits and the lasting satisfaction found in what God offers.
The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Israel, addressing their tendency to chase after things that cannot meet their deepest needs. The verse is part of a larger invitation from God, calling people to turn away from empty efforts and to seek the spiritual nourishment and joy that only God can provide.
The Hebrew behind Isaiah 55:2
- "Spend" (תִּשְׁקְלוּ, tishqelu) means to weigh out or pay, highlighting the idea of using up resources or energy.
- "Bread" (לֶחֶם, lechem) refers to basic food, symbolizing what is truly necessary for life, not just literal bread.
- "Satisfieth" (שָׂבֵעַ, savea) means to be filled or satisfied, pointing out that some things never truly fill the soul.
- "Fatness" (דֶּשֶׁן, deshen) refers to rich food or abundance, suggesting the fullness and delight that comes from accepting what God gives.
Why Isaiah 55:2 matters
- Isaiah 55:2 clears up the idea that material things or personal efforts alone can bring lasting satisfaction, pointing instead to spiritual fulfillment.
- The verse emphasizes God’s invitation to everyone, not just a select few, to receive what is truly good and nourishing.
- Isaiah 55:2 connects to the wider chapter, which is a call to seek God and trust in His generous provision rather than relying on empty pursuits.