King James Version

What Does Isaiah 55:7 Mean?

Isaiah 55:7 in the King James Version says “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 55 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Isaiah 55:7 · KJV

Context

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

8

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

9

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Read Isaiah 55 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. This verse specifies the response required to seeking God (v. 6): repentance. Two parallel commands address external behavior ("forsake his way," ya'azov...darko, יַעֲזֹב...דַּרְכּוֹ) and internal attitude ("forsake...thoughts," machshevotav, מַחְשְׁבֹתָיו). Both outward conduct and inward mindset must change. "Return" (veyashuv, וְיָשֻׁב) is the classic Hebrew term for repentance—turning back to God from wandering.

The dual promise motivates repentance: "he will have mercy" (viyerachamehu, וִירַחֲמֵהוּ) and "will abundantly pardon" (yarbeh lisloach, יַרְבֶּה לִסְלוֹחַ, literally "multiply to forgive"). Racham (רָחַם) means compassion; salach (סָלַח) means pardon/forgive. The abundance—"multiply to forgive"—emphasizes unlimited divine forgiveness. No sin is too great, no repetition too frequent for God's pardoning grace.

From a Reformed perspective, this verse presents both human responsibility (forsake, return) and divine initiative (mercy, pardon). True repentance involves both outward reformation and inward transformation—not merely behavior modification but renewed thinking (Romans 12:2). The abundant pardon grounds assurance—believers don't earn forgiveness by adequate repentance, but receive superabundant grace. This verse refutes both cheap grace (no repentance needed) and works-righteousness (repentance earns forgiveness).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The call to forsake wickedness and return addressed Israel's idolatry and covenant violations that led to exile. Prophets consistently called for repentance (Jeremiah 3:12-14, 18:11, Ezekiel 18:30-32). The return from exile required spiritual renewal, not merely physical relocation. Ezra 9-10 and Nehemiah 9 record post-exilic repentance movements.

The New Testament picks up this language: John the Baptist called for repentance (Matthew 3:2), as did Jesus (Mark 1:15) and the apostles (Acts 2:38, 3:19). Church history shows genuine revivals always involve repentance—Reformation confessions of sin, Wesley's holiness emphasis, modern awakenings. The abundant pardon becomes practically experienced when believers genuinely forsake wickedness and return to God, discovering His mercy exceeds their sin.

Reflection Questions

  1. What specific ways and thoughts does God call you to forsake?
  2. How does 'abundantly pardon' address your fears about repeated sins or serious failures?
  3. What prevents you from returning to God—pride, shame, unbelief in His mercy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
יַעֲזֹ֤ב1 of 15

“forsake”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

רָשָׁע֙2 of 15

“Let the wicked”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

דַּרְכּ֔וֹ3 of 15

“his way”

H1870

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

וְאִ֥ישׁ4 of 15

“man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אָ֖וֶן5 of 15

“and the unrighteous”

H205

strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol

מַחְשְׁבֹתָ֑יו6 of 15

“his thoughts”

H4284

a contrivance, i.e., (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)

וְיָשֹׁ֤ב7 of 15

“and let him return”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶל8 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָה֙9 of 15

“unto the LORD”

H3068

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

וִֽירַחֲמֵ֔הוּ10 of 15

“and he will have mercy”

H7355

to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate

וְאֶל11 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ12 of 15

“upon him and to our 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

כִּֽי13 of 15
H3588

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

יַרְבֶּ֥ה14 of 15

“for he will abundantly”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

לִסְלֽוֹחַ׃15 of 15

“pardon”

H5545

to forgive

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 55:7 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 55:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 28:13James 4:8-10Ezekiel 18:21-23Isaiah 44:22Luke 15:10Jonah 3:10

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