King James Version

What Does Isaiah 55:2 Mean?

Isaiah 55:2 in the King James Version says “Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligent... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 55 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. spend: Heb. weigh

Isaiah 55:2 · KJV


Context

1

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

2

Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. spend: Heb. weigh

3

Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

4

Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. The rhetorical questions expose futility of pursuing what cannot satisfy. "Spend money" (tishqelu-kesef, תִשְׁקְלוּ־כֶסֶף, literally "weigh out silver") and "labour" (yegi'akhem, יְגִיעֲכֶם) represent human effort and resources. "Not bread" (belo-lechem, בְּלוֹא־לֶחֶם) and "satisfieth not" (velo lesobah, וְלֹא לְשָׂבְעָה) indicate these pursuits provide no real nourishment or fulfillment.

The alternative: "hearken diligently" (literally "hearing, hear"—emphatic construction), "eat that which is good," "delight...in fatness." Deshen (דֶּשֶׁן, fatness) suggests rich, satisfying food—the best provisions. The soul's delight indicates not mere physical satisfaction but spiritual joy. The contrast sets worthless pursuits against valuable ones, futile labor against satisfying grace.

From a Reformed perspective, this addresses idolatry—pursuing created things expecting satisfaction only God provides. Augustine's famous prayer echoes this: "Thou hast made us for thyself, and our heart is restless until it finds rest in thee." Ecclesiastes demonstrates that wealth, pleasure, achievement—all prove "vanity" apart from God. This verse calls for repentance from idolatrous pursuits and turning to God's satisfying provision in Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient laborers often spent wages on insufficient or poor-quality food. The futility of labor without satisfaction was common experience, especially during economic hardship or oppression. Israel's exile involved forced labor benefiting Babylon, not themselves—literal example of laboring for what doesn't satisfy.

Ecclesiastes (written by Solomon) explores this theme extensively—pursuing wealth, pleasure, wisdom apart from God proves futile. Jesus addresses this in Sermon on the Mount: "Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat" (Matthew 6:25-34). Paul warns against pursuing "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" (1 John 2:16). Church history shows saints abandoning worldly pursuits (Antony, Francis, Bunyan) for spiritual riches, testifying to this verse's wisdom.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'not bread' are you pursuing that cannot ultimately satisfy?
  2. Where do you labor for what doesn't satisfy rather than receiving God's free provision?
  3. How can you cultivate soul-delight in God's 'fatness' rather than worldly substitutes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
לָ֤מָּה1 of 16
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תִשְׁקְלוּ2 of 16

Wherefore do ye spend

H8254

to suspend or poise (especially in trade)

כֶ֙סֶף֙3 of 16

money

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

בְּל֣וֹא4 of 16

not

H3808

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

לֶ֔חֶם5 of 16

for that which is not bread

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

וִיגִיעֲכֶ֖ם6 of 16

and your labour

H3018

toil; hence, a work, produce, property (as the result of labor)

בְּל֣וֹא7 of 16

not

H3808

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

לְשָׂבְעָ֑ה8 of 16

for that which satisfieth

H7654

satiety

שָׁמ֤וֹעַ9 of 16

diligently

H8085

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

שָׁמ֤וֹעַ10 of 16

diligently

H8085

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

אֵלַי֙11 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְאִכְלוּ12 of 16

unto me and eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

ט֔וֹב13 of 16

ye that which is good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

וְתִתְעַנַּ֥ג14 of 16

delight

H6026

to be soft or pliable, i.e., (figuratively) effeminate or luxurious

בַּדֶּ֖שֶׁן15 of 16

itself in fatness

H1880

the fat; abstractly fatness, i.e., (figuratively) abundance; specifically the (fatty) ashes of sacrifices

נַפְשְׁכֶֽם׃16 of 16

and let your soul

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment


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 55:2 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 55:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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