King James Version

What Does Isaiah 58:9 Mean?

Isaiah 58:9 in the King James Version says “Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 58 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;”

Isaiah 58:9 · KJV

Context

7

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? cast: or, afflicted

8

Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. be: Heb. gather thee up

9

Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

10

And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:

11

And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. drought: Heb. droughts fail: Heb. lie, or, deceive

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Continuing the promises, God pledges immediate response to prayer: "Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am." This intimate response—"Here I am" (hineni)—is the same phrase Abraham, Moses, and Isaiah used when responding to God's call (Genesis 22:1, Exodus 3:4, Isaiah 6:8). God reciprocates their availability to Him with His availability to them. However, this promise is conditional: "If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity." Three sins must cease: (1) "the yoke"—oppressive burdens placed on others; (2) "putting forth of the finger"—gestures of mockery, accusation, or contempt (Proverbs 6:13); (3) "speaking vanity" (aven)—worthless, deceptive, or malicious speech. From a Reformed perspective, this shows that effectual prayer requires not sinless perfection but genuine repentance and transformation. God hears the prayers of the righteous (Proverbs 15:29, James 5:16, 1 John 3:22), but unconfessed sin hinders prayer (Psalm 66:18, Isaiah 59:2). Christ's perfect righteousness opens the way, but we must approach through faith active in love.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The community addressed had been crying out to God while maintaining injustice—expecting Him to answer while they refused to answer the cries of the oppressed. This reflects a pattern throughout Israel's history where God withdrew His presence due to covenant unfaithfulness (Ezekiel 10:18-19, Hosea 5:15). The promise of restoration appears when justice and mercy return (Zechariah 8:3-5, 13-17). In the New Testament, believers have confident access to God through Christ (Hebrews 4:16, 10:19-22), but must maintain clean consciences and genuine faith.

Reflection Questions

  1. What sins in our lives might hinder God from responding to our prayers?
  2. How does the promise 'Here I am' reflect the intimacy God desires with His people?
  3. In what ways do justice and mercy toward others relate to our access to God in prayer?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
אָ֤ז1 of 15
H227

at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore

תִּקְרָא֙2 of 15

“Then shalt thou call”

H7121

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

וַיהוָ֣ה3 of 15

“and the LORD”

H3068

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

יַעֲנֶ֔ה4 of 15

“shall answer”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

תְּשַׁוַּ֖ע5 of 15

“thou shalt cry”

H7768

properly, to be free; but used only causatively and reflexively, to halloo (for help, i.e., freedom from some trouble)

וְיֹאמַ֣ר6 of 15

“and he shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִנֵּ֑נִי7 of 15
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

אִם8 of 15
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תָּסִ֤יר9 of 15

“Here I am If thou take away”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

מִתּֽוֹכְךָ֙10 of 15

“from the midst”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

מוֹטָ֔ה11 of 15

“of thee the yoke”

H4133

a pole; by implication, an ox-bow; hence, a yoke (either literal or figurative)

שְׁלַ֥ח12 of 15

“the putting forth”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶצְבַּ֖ע13 of 15

“of the finger”

H676

something to sieze with, i.e., a finger; by analogy, a toe

וְדַבֶּר14 of 15

“and speaking”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אָֽוֶן׃15 of 15

“vanity”

H205

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

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 58:9 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 58:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 29:12-13Psalms 50:15Isaiah 65:24Matthew 7:7-8Psalms 91:15Isaiah 1:15

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