King James Version

What Does Isaiah 50:10 Mean?

Isaiah 50:10 in the King James Version says “Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no lig...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.”

Isaiah 50:10 · KJV

Context

8

He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary ? let him come near to me. mine: Heb. the master of my cause?

9

Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

10

Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

11

Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.

Read Isaiah 50 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The question 'Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant?' identifies the believing remnant. The condition 'that walketh in darkness, and hath no light' describes times when faith persists despite visible evidence. The command 'let him trust in the name of the LORD' prescribes response - not sight but faith. This establishes that genuine belief perseveres through darkness, not just prosperity.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Exiles who maintained faith despite temple's destruction and apparent divine absence demonstrated this trust. The principle applies to all 'dark night of the soul' experiences where God seems absent yet faith clings to His character and promises.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you maintain trust in God's name when walking through literal or metaphorical darkness?
  2. What is the difference between faith that requires visible evidence and faith that perseveres in darkness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
מִ֤י1 of 18
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

בָכֶם֙2 of 18
H0
יְרֵ֣א3 of 18

“Who is among you that feareth”

H3373

fearing; morally, reverent

יְהוָ֔ה4 of 18

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

שֹׁמֵ֖עַ5 of 18

“that obeyeth”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בְּק֣וֹל6 of 18

“the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

עַבְדּ֑וֹ7 of 18

“of his servant”

H5650

a servant

אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀8 of 18
H834

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

הָלַ֣ךְ9 of 18

“that walketh”

H1980

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

חֲשֵׁכִ֗ים10 of 18

“in darkness”

H2825

darkness; figuratively, misery

וְאֵ֥ין11 of 18
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

נֹ֙גַהּ֙12 of 18

“and hath no light”

H5051

brilliancy (literally or figuratively)

ל֔וֹ13 of 18
H0
יִבְטַח֙14 of 18

“let him trust”

H982

properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure

בְּשֵׁ֣ם15 of 18

“in the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יְהוָ֔ה16 of 18

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

וְיִשָּׁעֵ֖ן17 of 18

“and stay”

H8172

to support one's self

בֵּאלֹהָֽיו׃18 of 18

“upon his 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

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 50:10 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 50:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 12:46Isaiah 26:3-4Micah 7:7-9John 8:12Psalms 23:4Psalms 27:13-14

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