King James Version

What Does Isaiah 49:9 Mean?

Isaiah 49:9 in the King James Version says “That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the w... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.

Isaiah 49:9 · KJV


Context

7

Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. whom man: or, that is despised in soul

8

Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; establish: or, raise up

9

That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.

10

They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.

11

And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The commission to 'say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves' describes the gospel's liberating power. Prisoners cannot free themselves; the Servant's authoritative word releases them. The promise 'they shall feed in the ways' depicts abundant provision - not mere survival but thriving. This anticipates Jesus' proclamation of 'liberty to the captives' (Luke 4:18) and 'I am the door' imagery (John 10:9).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Immediate fulfillment came through Cyrus's decree freeing exiles, but ultimate fulfillment is spiritual release from sin's bondage. Jesus' ministry consistently freed those imprisoned by demonic, physical, and spiritual oppression.

Reflection Questions

  1. From what prisons (sin, fear, addiction, shame) has Christ's word freed you?
  2. How can you participate in Christ's mission of releasing others from spiritual imprisonment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
לֵאמֹ֤ר1 of 12

That thou mayest say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לַֽאֲסוּרִים֙2 of 12

to the prisoners

H631

to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle

צֵ֔אוּ3 of 12

Go forth

H3318

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

לַאֲשֶׁ֥ר4 of 12
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בַּחֹ֖שֶׁךְ5 of 12

to them that are in darkness

H2822

the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness

הִגָּל֑וּ6 of 12

Shew

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

עַל7 of 12
H5921

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

דְּרָכִ֣ים8 of 12

in the ways

H1870

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

יִרְע֔וּ9 of 12

yourselves They shall feed

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

וּבְכָל10 of 12
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

שְׁפָיִ֖ים11 of 12

shall be in all high places

H8205

bareness; concretely, a bare hill or plain

מַרְעִיתָֽם׃12 of 12

and their pastures

H4830

pasturage; concretely, a flock


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 49:9 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 49:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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