Isaiah 2:3
And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Original Language Analysis
וְנֵלְכָ֖ה
shall go
H1980
וְנֵלְכָ֖ה
shall go
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 24
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עַמִּ֣ים
people
H5971
עַמִּ֣ים
people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
2 of 24
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
רַבִּ֗ים
And many
H7227
רַבִּ֗ים
And many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
3 of 24
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
וְנֵלְכָ֖ה
shall go
H1980
וְנֵלְכָ֖ה
shall go
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
5 of 24
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְנַעֲלֶ֣ה
ye and let us go up
H5927
וְנַעֲלֶ֣ה
ye and let us go up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
6 of 24
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הַר
to the mountain
H2022
הַר
to the mountain
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
8 of 24
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בֵּית֙
to the house
H1004
בֵּית֙
to the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
11 of 24
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
of the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
of the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
12 of 24
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
וְיֹרֵ֙נוּ֙
and he will teach
H3384
וְיֹרֵ֙נוּ֙
and he will teach
Strong's:
H3384
Word #:
14 of 24
properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by
מִדְּרָכָ֔יו
us of his ways
H1870
מִדְּרָכָ֔יו
us of his ways
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
15 of 24
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וְנֵלְכָ֖ה
shall go
H1980
וְנֵלְכָ֖ה
shall go
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
16 of 24
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בְּאֹרְחֹתָ֑יו
in his paths
H734
בְּאֹרְחֹתָ֑יו
in his paths
Strong's:
H734
Word #:
17 of 24
a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
18 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִצִּיּוֹן֙
for out of Zion
H6726
מִצִּיּוֹן֙
for out of Zion
Strong's:
H6726
Word #:
19 of 24
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
תֵּצֵ֣א
shall go forth
H3318
תֵּצֵ֣א
shall go forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
20 of 24
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
תוֹרָ֔ה
the law
H8451
תוֹרָ֔ה
the law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
21 of 24
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
וּדְבַר
and the word
H1697
וּדְבַר
and the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
22 of 24
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Cross References
Luke 24:47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.Psalms 110:2The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.Romans 10:18But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.John 7:17If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.Deuteronomy 6:1Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:Jeremiah 31:6For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.Matthew 7:24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:Luke 11:28But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Historical Context
In contrast to conquest-driven ancient empires, this vision presents voluntary submission motivated by desire for God's truth. The nations come to learn, not to conquer or be conquered.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you approach God's Word with eager willingness to be taught, or reluctant compliance?
- How does the church's current mission anticipate this future gathering of nations to worship?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The nations' confession 'He will teach us His ways' demonstrates willing submission to divine instruction. The Torah going forth from Zion establishes Jerusalem as the source of authoritative teaching, fulfilling Israel's purpose as a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6). The parallel 'word of the LORD from Jerusalem' emphasizes both written law and living Word, ultimately fulfilled in Christ.