Isaiah 55:5
Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
Original Language Analysis
וְג֥וֹי
a nation
H1471
וְג֥וֹי
a nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
2 of 17
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְדָע֖וּךָ
that knew
H3045
יְדָע֖וּךָ
that knew
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
4 of 17
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
תִּקְרָ֔א
Behold thou shalt call
H7121
תִּקְרָ֔א
Behold thou shalt call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
5 of 17
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
וְג֥וֹי
a nation
H1471
וְג֥וֹי
a nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
6 of 17
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְדָע֖וּךָ
that knew
H3045
יְדָע֖וּךָ
that knew
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
8 of 17
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
יָר֑וּצוּ
not thee shall run
H7323
יָר֑וּצוּ
not thee shall run
Strong's:
H7323
Word #:
10 of 17
to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)
לְמַ֙עַן֙
H4616
לְמַ֙עַן֙
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
יְהוָ֣ה
unto thee because of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
unto thee because of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
13 of 17
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
וְלִקְד֥וֹשׁ
and for the Holy One
H6918
וְלִקְד֥וֹשׁ
and for the Holy One
Strong's:
H6918
Word #:
14 of 17
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
15 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Cross References
Isaiah 60:9Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.Isaiah 60:5Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.Zechariah 2:11And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.Romans 15:20Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:Isaiah 56:8The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.Isaiah 55:4Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.Isaiah 45:23I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.Acts 3:13The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.Acts 5:31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.Psalms 18:43Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.
Historical Context
Israel's original calling included being "a kingdom of priests" mediating God to nations (Exodus 19:6). Yet Old Testament period saw limited Gentile inclusion. Isaiah promises future reversal where nations actively seek Israel's God. Post-exilic period saw some Gentile proselytes, but nothing matching this prophecy's scale.
The New Testament demonstrates fulfillment: Pentecost included "devout men out of every nation" (Acts 2:5); Ethiopian eunuch sought truth (Acts 8:27); Cornelius sought God (Acts 10); Philippian jailer was converted (Acts 16:30-34). Church history shows continuous running of nations to Christ—Roman Empire, Germanic tribes, Slavic peoples, African nations, Asian countries. The missionary movement demonstrates nations that "knew not thee" now eagerly embracing the gospel.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your life exhibit God's glory in ways that attract others to Him?
- What unknown 'nations' (unreached groups) is God calling you to summon?
- How can the church better demonstrate God's glorifying work to draw the nations?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. This verse describes remarkable reversals: Israel calling unknown nations, and unknown nations running to Israel. "Call" (tiqra, תִקְרָא) suggests summoning, inviting. "Knowest not" (lo yeda'ta, לֹא יְדַעְתָּ) indicates nations previously outside covenant relationship. The response—"shall run" (yarutsu, יָרוּצוּ)—depicts eager, swift approach.
The dual motivation: "because of the LORD thy God" and "the Holy One of Israel"—Gentiles come not for Israel's sake but because of Israel's God. The concluding explanation—"for he hath glorified thee" (ki pe'arekha, כִּי פֵאֲרָךְ)—indicates God's glorification of Israel attracts the nations. Israel becomes exhibit of divine grace, drawing others to the source.
From a Reformed perspective, this prophesies the Great Commission and Gentile ingathering. Romans 9-11 explains how Israel's role facilitates Gentile salvation, provoking Israel to jealousy (Romans 11:11). The church, comprised of Jew and Gentile, fulfills this summons. The ultimate attractiveness is Christ Himself (John 12:32—"if I be lifted up...will draw all men unto me"). This verse teaches that God's glorification of His people serves missionary purpose—others are drawn to the God who redeems.