King James Version

What Does Isaiah 34:16 Mean?

Isaiah 34:16 in the King James Version says “Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hat... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

Isaiah 34:16 · KJV


Context

14

The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the island, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; the screech owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest. The wilddesert: Heb. Ziim the wildisland: Heb. Ijim screech: or, night monster

15

There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate.

16

Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

17

And he hath cast the lot for them, and his hand hath divided it unto them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation shall they dwell therein.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The command to "seek...out of the book of the LORD" emphasizes Scripture's authority and reliability in prophecy. "No one of these shall fail" declares the absolute certainty of God's word—every prophesied detail will occur. The phrase "his mouth hath commanded" points to divine authorship, while "his spirit hath gathered them" shows the Holy Spirit's role in fulfilling prophecy. This self-authentication of Scripture undergirds the Reformed principle of sola scriptura.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah calls readers to verify his prophecies' fulfillment by consulting written records, demonstrating Scripture's self-validating nature through fulfilled prophecy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does fulfilled prophecy strengthen our confidence in all Scripture?
  2. What does the command to search Scripture teach about personal responsibility in faith?
  3. How should the certainty of God's word affect our response to biblical warnings?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
דִּרְשׁ֨וּ1 of 20

Seek ye out

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

מֵֽעַל2 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

סֵ֤פֶר3 of 20

of the book

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

יְהוָה֙4 of 20

of the LORD

H3068

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

וּֽקְרָ֔אוּ5 of 20

and read

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אַחַ֤ת6 of 20

no one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

מֵהֵ֙נָּה֙7 of 20

of these

H2007

themselves (often used emphatic for the copula, also in indirect relation)

לֹ֣א8 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נֶעְדָּ֔רָה9 of 20

shall fail

H5737

to arrange, as a battle, a vineyard (to hoe); hence, to muster and so to miss (or find wanting)

אִשָּׁ֥ה10 of 20

none

H802

a woman

רְעוּתָ֖הּ11 of 20

her mate

H7468

a female associate; generally an additional one

לֹ֣א12 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

פָקָ֑דוּ13 of 20

shall want

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

כִּֽי14 of 20
H3588

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

פִי֙15 of 20

for my mouth

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

ה֣וּא16 of 20
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

צִוָּ֔ה17 of 20

it hath commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

וְרוּח֖וֹ18 of 20

and his spirit

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

ה֥וּא19 of 20
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

קִבְּצָֽן׃20 of 20

it hath gathered

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect


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 34:16 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 34:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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