King James Version

What Does Isaiah 2:3 Mean?

Isaiah 2:3 in the King James Version says “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jaco... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Isaiah 2:3 · KJV


Context

1

The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

2

And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. established: or, prepared

3

And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

4

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. pruninghooks: or, scythes

5

O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The nations' confession 'He will teach us His ways' demonstrates willing submission to divine instruction. The Torah going forth from Zion establishes Jerusalem as the source of authoritative teaching, fulfilling Israel's purpose as a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6). The parallel 'word of the LORD from Jerusalem' emphasizes both written law and living Word, ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

In contrast to conquest-driven ancient empires, this vision presents voluntary submission motivated by desire for God's truth. The nations come to learn, not to conquer or be conquered.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you approach God's Word with eager willingness to be taught, or reluctant compliance?
  2. How does the church's current mission anticipate this future gathering of nations to worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְנֵלְכָ֖ה1 of 24

shall go

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

עַמִּ֣ים2 of 24

people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

רַבִּ֗ים3 of 24

And many

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

וְאָמְרוּ֙4 of 24

and say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

וְנֵלְכָ֖ה5 of 24

shall go

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וְנַעֲלֶ֣ה6 of 24

ye and let us go up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֶל7 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַר8 of 24

to the mountain

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

יְהוָ֖ה9 of 24

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל10 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּית֙11 of 24

to the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֱלֹהֵ֣י12 of 24

of the God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יַעֲקֹ֔ב13 of 24

of Jacob

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וְיֹרֵ֙נוּ֙14 of 24

and he will teach

H3384

properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by

מִדְּרָכָ֔יו15 of 24

us of his ways

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

וְנֵלְכָ֖ה16 of 24

shall go

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בְּאֹרְחֹתָ֑יו17 of 24

in his paths

H734

a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan

כִּ֤י18 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מִצִּיּוֹן֙19 of 24

for out of Zion

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

תֵּצֵ֣א20 of 24

shall go forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

תוֹרָ֔ה21 of 24

the law

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

וּדְבַר22 of 24

and the word

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

יְהוָ֖ה23 of 24

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

מִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃24 of 24

from Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 2:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 2:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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