Isaiah 34:16
Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.
Original Language Analysis
דִּרְשׁ֨וּ
Seek ye out
H1875
דִּרְשׁ֨וּ
Seek ye out
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
מֵֽעַל
H5921
מֵֽעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
סֵ֤פֶר
of the book
H5612
סֵ֤פֶר
of the book
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּֽקְרָ֔אוּ
and read
H7121
וּֽקְרָ֔אוּ
and read
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
5 of 20
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
מֵהֵ֙נָּה֙
of these
H2007
מֵהֵ֙נָּה֙
of these
Strong's:
H2007
Word #:
7 of 20
themselves (often used emphatic for the copula, also in indirect relation)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נֶעְדָּ֔רָה
shall fail
H5737
נֶעְדָּ֔רָה
shall fail
Strong's:
H5737
Word #:
9 of 20
to arrange, as a battle, a vineyard (to hoe); hence, to muster and so to miss (or find wanting)
רְעוּתָ֖הּ
her mate
H7468
רְעוּתָ֖הּ
her mate
Strong's:
H7468
Word #:
11 of 20
a female associate; generally an additional one
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
פָקָ֑דוּ
shall want
H6485
פָקָ֑דוּ
shall want
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
13 of 20
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
פִי֙
for my mouth
H6310
פִי֙
for my mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
15 of 20
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
ה֣וּא
H1931
ה֣וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
16 of 20
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְרוּח֖וֹ
and his spirit
H7307
וְרוּח֖וֹ
and his spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
18 of 20
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
Cross References
Psalms 33:9For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.Joshua 1:8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.Matthew 5:18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.Isaiah 30:8Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:Psalms 33:6By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.Proverbs 23:12Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.John 10:35If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;Luke 21:33Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.Amos 3:7Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.Malachi 3:16Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Historical Context
Isaiah calls readers to verify his prophecies' fulfillment by consulting written records, demonstrating Scripture's self-validating nature through fulfilled prophecy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does fulfilled prophecy strengthen our confidence in all Scripture?
- What does the command to search Scripture teach about personal responsibility in faith?
- How should the certainty of God's word affect our response to biblical warnings?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The command to "seek...out of the book of the LORD" emphasizes Scripture's authority and reliability in prophecy. "No one of these shall fail" declares the absolute certainty of God's word—every prophesied detail will occur. The phrase "his mouth hath commanded" points to divine authorship, while "his spirit hath gathered them" shows the Holy Spirit's role in fulfilling prophecy. This self-authentication of Scripture undergirds the Reformed principle of sola scriptura.