Isaiah 41:17
When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
Original Language Analysis
מְבַקְשִׁ֥ים
seek
H1245
מְבַקְשִׁ֥ים
seek
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
3 of 15
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
מַ֙יִם֙
water
H4325
מַ֙יִם֙
water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
4 of 15
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
וָאַ֔יִן
H369
לְשׁוֹנָ֖ם
and there is none and their tongue
H3956
לְשׁוֹנָ֖ם
and there is none and their tongue
Strong's:
H3956
Word #:
6 of 15
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
נָשָׁ֑תָּה
faileth
H5405
נָשָׁ֑תָּה
faileth
Strong's:
H5405
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, to eliminate, i.e., (intransitively) to dry up
יְהוָה֙
I the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
I the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶעֱנֵ֔ם
will hear
H6030
אֶעֱנֵ֔ם
will hear
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
11 of 15
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,
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
them I the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
them I the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
12 of 15
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
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
13 of 15
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Cross References
Isaiah 55:1Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.Isaiah 30:19For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.Matthew 5:6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.Isaiah 44:3For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:Isaiah 61:1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;Isaiah 42:16And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.Genesis 28:15And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.Revelation 22:17And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.Revelation 21:6And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.Isaiah 43:20The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.
Historical Context
The journey from Babylon through arid regions required divine provision. This promise recalled the Exodus and assured similar miraculous sustenance for the new exodus from Babylon.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's attentiveness to desperate prayers encourage you in your neediest moments?
- What does God's promise never to forsake the needy teach about His heart for the afflicted?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God's compassion for the poor and needy ('aniyim' and 'evyonim'—the afflicted and destitute) seeking water introduces a restoration promise. When their tongue fails for thirst, God promises, 'I the LORD will hear them...will not forsake them.' This echoes the wilderness provision under Moses, now applied to return from exile.