Isaiah 55:11

Authorized King James Version

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So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Original Language Analysis

כֵּ֣ן H3651
כֵּ֣ן
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 1 of 19
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יִֽהְיֶ֤ה H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֤ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 2 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
דְבָרִי֙ So shall my word H1697
דְבָרִי֙ So shall my word
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 3 of 19
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 4 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יֵצֵ֣א be that goeth forth H3318
יֵצֵ֣א be that goeth forth
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 5 of 19
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מִפִּ֔י out of my mouth H6310
מִפִּ֔י out of my mouth
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 6 of 19
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 7 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָשׁ֥וּב it shall not return H7725
יָשׁ֥וּב it shall not return
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 8 of 19
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אֵלַ֖י H413
אֵלַ֖י
Strong's: H413
Word #: 9 of 19
near, with or among; often in general, to
רֵיקָ֑ם unto me void H7387
רֵיקָ֑ם unto me void
Strong's: H7387
Word #: 10 of 19
emptily; figuratively (objective) ineffectually, (subjective) undeservedly
כִּ֤י H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 11 of 19
(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 19
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
עָשָׂה֙ but it shall accomplish H6213
עָשָׂה֙ but it shall accomplish
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 13 of 19
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 14 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 15 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
חָפַ֔צְתִּי that which I please H2654
חָפַ֔צְתִּי that which I please
Strong's: H2654
Word #: 16 of 19
properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
וְהִצְלִ֖יחַ and it shall prosper H6743
וְהִצְלִ֖יחַ and it shall prosper
Strong's: H6743
Word #: 17 of 19
to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 18 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שְׁלַחְתִּֽיו׃ in the thing whereto I sent H7971
שְׁלַחְתִּֽיו׃ in the thing whereto I sent
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 19 of 19
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

Analysis & Commentary

This verse applies the rain/snow analogy to God's word. 'So shall my word be'—drawing the parallel between precipitation's reliability and Scripture's efficacy. God's word 'goeth forth out of my mouth'—emphasizing divine origin, authority, and intentionality. The promise: it 'shall not return unto me void' (reyqam—empty, without effect, unsuccessful). Instead, it 'shall accomplish that which I please' (chephets—delight, purpose, desire) and 'prosper in the thing whereto I sent it' (sahlach—succeed, accomplish the mission). This guarantees Scripture's effectiveness—every divine promise will be fulfilled, every prophecy accomplished, every command effective for its intended purpose. God's word never fails to achieve what He designed it to accomplish.

Historical Context

Isaiah's prophecies often seemed impossible—exiles returning, Messiah coming, salvation reaching Gentiles. Yet God assured His word would accomplish these purposes, however long they took or unlikely they seemed. New Testament writers saw Isaiah's prophecies fulfilled in Christ, vindicating God's word's reliability. Church history demonstrates Scripture's enduring power—unchanged by cultural shifts, government opposition, or intellectual trends. Countless testimonies confirm God's promises accomplishing His purposes in individual lives, despite delays or obstacles.

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