King James Version

What Does Isaiah 55:5 Mean?

Isaiah 55:5 in the King James Version says “Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of th...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 55 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.”

Isaiah 55:5 · KJV

Context

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.

5

Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

6

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

7

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. the unrighteous: Heb. the man of iniquity abundantly: Heb. multiply to pardon

Read Isaiah 55 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. This verse describes remarkable reversals: Israel calling unknown nations, and unknown nations running to Israel. "Call" (tiqra, תִקְרָא) suggests summoning, inviting. "Knowest not" (lo yeda'ta, לֹא יְדַעְתָּ) indicates nations previously outside covenant relationship. The response—"shall run" (yarutsu, יָרוּצוּ)—depicts eager, swift approach.

The dual motivation: "because of the LORD thy God" and "the Holy One of Israel"—Gentiles come not for Israel's sake but because of Israel's God. The concluding explanation—"for he hath glorified thee" (ki pe'arekha, כִּי פֵאֲרָךְ)—indicates God's glorification of Israel attracts the nations. Israel becomes exhibit of divine grace, drawing others to the source.

From a Reformed perspective, this prophesies the Great Commission and Gentile ingathering. Romans 9-11 explains how Israel's role facilitates Gentile salvation, provoking Israel to jealousy (Romans 11:11). The church, comprised of Jew and Gentile, fulfills this summons. The ultimate attractiveness is Christ Himself (John 12:32—"if I be lifted up...will draw all men unto me"). This verse teaches that God's glorification of His people serves missionary purpose—others are drawn to the God who redeems.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's original calling included being "a kingdom of priests" mediating God to nations (Exodus 19:6). Yet Old Testament period saw limited Gentile inclusion. Isaiah promises future reversal where nations actively seek Israel's God. Post-exilic period saw some Gentile proselytes, but nothing matching this prophecy's scale.

The New Testament demonstrates fulfillment: Pentecost included "devout men out of every nation" (Acts 2:5); Ethiopian eunuch sought truth (Acts 8:27); Cornelius sought God (Acts 10); Philippian jailer was converted (Acts 16:30-34). Church history shows continuous running of nations to Christ—Roman Empire, Germanic tribes, Slavic peoples, African nations, Asian countries. The missionary movement demonstrates nations that "knew not thee" now eagerly embracing the gospel.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does your life exhibit God's glory in ways that attract others to Him?
  2. What unknown 'nations' (unreached groups) is God calling you to summon?
  3. How can the church better demonstrate God's glorifying work to draw the nations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
הֵ֣ן1 of 17
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

וְג֥וֹי2 of 17

“a nation”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

לֹֽא3 of 17
H3808

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

יְדָע֖וּךָ4 of 17

“that knew”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

תִּקְרָ֔א5 of 17

“Behold thou shalt call”

H7121

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

וְג֥וֹי6 of 17

“a nation”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

לֹֽא7 of 17
H3808

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

יְדָע֖וּךָ8 of 17

“that knew”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אֵלֶ֣יךָ9 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יָר֑וּצוּ10 of 17

“not thee shall run”

H7323

to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)

לְמַ֙עַן֙11 of 17
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

יְהוָ֣ה12 of 17

“unto thee because of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ13 of 17

“thy 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

וְלִקְד֥וֹשׁ14 of 17

“and for the Holy One”

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל15 of 17

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

כִּ֥י16 of 17
H3588

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

פֵאֲרָֽךְ׃17 of 17

“for he hath glorified”

H6286

to gleam, i.e., (causatively) embellish; figuratively, to boast; also to explain (i.e., make clear) oneself; to shake a tree

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 55:5 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 55:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 60:5Isaiah 60:9Zechariah 2:11Romans 15:20Isaiah 56:8Genesis 49:10

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