Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

ISAIAH 55:7KJV
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Isaiah 55:7 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 55:7 mean?

Isaiah 55:7 calls on those who do wrong to abandon their harmful actions and thoughts, and to turn back to God, who promises to show great mercy and forgive generously. The verse assures that no matter how far someone has strayed, God is ready to welcome them back with compassion and full pardon.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Israel, urging them to repent and return to the LORD after a period of unfaithfulness. The verse highlights both the seriousness of turning away from God and the remarkable willingness of God to forgive anyone who sincerely comes back, emphasizing God’s mercy over judgment.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 55:7

  • "Wicked" (רָשָׁע, rāshāʿ, H7563) refers to someone who acts in ways that are morally wrong or harmful to others, not just someone who makes mistakes.
  • "Forsake" (עָזַב, ʿāzav, H5800) means to completely abandon or leave behind, stressing the need for a decisive break from past wrongs.
  • "Return" (שׁוּב, shuv, H7725) carries the idea of turning back or coming home, not just feeling sorry but making a real change in direction.
  • "Abundantly pardon" (יַרְבֶּה לִסְלוֹחַ, yarbeh lisloach, H7235 + H5545) suggests that God’s forgiveness is not limited or grudging, but overflowing and generous.

Why Isaiah 55:7 matters

  • Isaiah 55:7 makes clear that forgiveness is available to everyone, not just those who have lived mostly good lives, but even to the openly “wicked” and “unrighteous.”
  • The verse emphasizes that true repentance involves both actions and thoughts, showing that God cares about inner motives as much as outward behavior.
  • This verse connects to the wider chapter’s invitation to seek God while He may be found, highlighting the urgency and openness of God’s call to return.

Where else these words appear

“mercy” Hebrew H7355 · used in 43 verses

  • Exodus 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
  • Isaiah 30:18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
  • Jeremiah 42:12 And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land.

“pardon” Hebrew H5545 · used in 45 verses

  • Exodus 34:9 And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.
  • Numbers 15:26 And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the people were in ignorance.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:27 Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance.

“thoughts” Hebrew H4284 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
  • Psalms 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
  • Jeremiah 4:14 O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?

“unrighteous” Hebrew H205 · used in 78 verses

  • Numbers 23:21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
  • Psalms 41:6 And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
  • Proverbs 19:28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.