Isaiah 55:10
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֡י
H3588
כִּ֡י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יֵרֵד֩
cometh down
H3381
יֵרֵד֩
cometh down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
3 of 22
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
6 of 22
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם
from heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם
from heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
7 of 22
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וְשָׁ֙מָּה֙
H8033
וְשָׁ֙מָּה֙
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
8 of 22
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָשׁ֔וּב
and returneth
H7725
יָשׁ֔וּב
and returneth
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
10 of 22
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
12 of 22
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
הִרְוָ֣ה
not thither but watereth
H7301
הִרְוָ֣ה
not thither but watereth
Strong's:
H7301
Word #:
13 of 22
to slake the thirst (occasionally of other appetites)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְהוֹלִידָ֖הּ
and maketh it bring forth
H3205
וְהוֹלִידָ֖הּ
and maketh it bring forth
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
16 of 22
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
וְהִצְמִיחָ֑הּ
and bud
H6779
וְהִצְמִיחָ֑הּ
and bud
Strong's:
H6779
Word #:
17 of 22
to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)
וְנָ֤תַן
that it may give
H5414
וְנָ֤תַן
that it may give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
18 of 22
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
זֶ֙רַע֙
seed
H2233
זֶ֙רַע֙
seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
19 of 22
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
לַזֹּרֵ֔עַ
to the sower
H2232
לַזֹּרֵ֔עַ
to the sower
Strong's:
H2232
Word #:
20 of 22
to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify
Cross References
Isaiah 30:23Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.Deuteronomy 32:2My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:Ezekiel 34:26And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.Hosea 10:12Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.Isaiah 61:11For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.Revelation 11:6These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.Isaiah 5:6And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.1 Samuel 23:4Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
Historical Context
Agricultural societies intimately understood this meteorological principle—rain meant life, drought meant death. Ancient Israel's economy depended entirely on seasonal rains (former and latter rains). Missing either meant crop failure, famine, and potentially death. God's covenant blessings included timely rain (Deuteronomy 11:14); curses included drought (Deuteronomy 28:23-24). This powerful metaphor resonated deeply: just as communities depended on reliable precipitation, so they could depend on God's reliable word. Modern readers, more removed from agriculture, must intentionally grasp how essential and reliable rain was to ancient hearers.
Questions for Reflection
- How does nature's reliable cycle of precipitation and growth illustrate God's word being equally reliable in accomplishing His purposes?
- Where are you waiting to see God's word 'bring forth and bud' in your life or circumstances?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse introduces a nature-based analogy explaining how God's word accomplishes His purposes. Rain and snow descend from heaven, water the earth, and enable it to 'bring forth and bud'—producing life, growth, and harvest. This natural process provides seed for planting and bread for eating—continuing the cycle. The precipitation doesn't return to heaven void or empty (reyqam) but accomplishes (asah) its designed purpose of sustaining life. This sets up verse 11's application: just as precipitation reliably fulfills its function, so God's word unfailingly achieves His intentions.