Isaiah 49:10
They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַכֵּ֥ם
smite
H5221
יַכֵּ֥ם
smite
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
6 of 15
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
שָׁרָ֖ב
neither shall the heat
H8273
שָׁרָ֖ב
neither shall the heat
Strong's:
H8273
Word #:
7 of 15
quivering glow (of the air), especially the mirage
וָשָׁ֑מֶשׁ
nor sun
H8121
וָשָׁ֑מֶשׁ
nor sun
Strong's:
H8121
Word #:
8 of 15
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מְרַחֲמָ֣ם
them for he that hath mercy
H7355
מְרַחֲמָ֣ם
them for he that hath mercy
Strong's:
H7355
Word #:
10 of 15
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
יְנַהֲגֵ֔ם
on them shall lead
H5090
יְנַהֲגֵ֔ם
on them shall lead
Strong's:
H5090
Word #:
11 of 15
to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Matthew 5:6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.Isaiah 33:16He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.Ezekiel 34:23And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.Isaiah 54:10For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.Jeremiah 31:9They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.Isaiah 14:1For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.Isaiah 32:2And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.Isaiah 35:7And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.Isaiah 40:11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.Isaiah 4:6And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.
Historical Context
Return from Babylon through desert required miraculous provision echoing the Exodus. But ultimate fulfillment awaits new creation where 'they shall hunger no more' (Revelation 7:16), showing how earthly redemptions typify final salvation.
Questions for Reflection
- What spiritual hunger and thirst has Jesus satisfied in your life?
- How does God's past provision (leading by springs of water) encourage trust for present needs?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The promise 'They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them' describes comprehensive divine provision for returning pilgrims. The reason: 'he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.' This merges Exodus imagery (manna, water from rock) with Shepherd psalm (Psalm 23), anticipating Jesus as Bread of Life and Living Water.