Isaiah 58:10
And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
Original Language Analysis
וְתָפֵ֤ק
And if thou draw out
H6329
וְתָפֵ֤ק
And if thou draw out
Strong's:
H6329
Word #:
1 of 11
to issue, i.e., furnish; causatively, to secure; figuratively, to succeed
וְנֶ֥פֶשׁ
soul
H5315
וְנֶ֥פֶשׁ
soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וְנֶ֥פֶשׁ
soul
H5315
וְנֶ֥פֶשׁ
soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
נַעֲנָ֖ה
the afflicted
H6031
נַעֲנָ֖ה
the afflicted
Strong's:
H6031
Word #:
5 of 11
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
תַּשְׂבִּ֑יעַ
and satisfy
H7646
תַּשְׂבִּ֑יעַ
and satisfy
Strong's:
H7646
Word #:
6 of 11
to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
וְזָרַ֤ח
rise
H2224
וְזָרַ֤ח
rise
Strong's:
H2224
Word #:
7 of 11
properly, to irradiate (or shoot forth beams), i.e., to rise (as the sun); specifically, to appear (as a symptom of leprosy)
בַּחֹ֙שֶׁךְ֙
in obscurity
H2822
בַּחֹ֙שֶׁךְ֙
in obscurity
Strong's:
H2822
Word #:
8 of 11
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
אוֹרֶ֔ךָ
then shall thy light
H216
אוֹרֶ֔ךָ
then shall thy light
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
9 of 11
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
Cross References
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.Job 11:17And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.Psalms 37:6And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.Luke 18:22Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
Historical Context
The post-exilic community faced difficult circumstances—foreign domination, economic hardship, and delayed restoration of former glory (Haggai 1:6, 2:3). Those who responded with generosity rather than hoarding, mercy rather than exploitation, experienced God's sustaining grace even in those diminished circumstances. This principle continued throughout redemptive history. The early church, despite persecution and poverty, experienced joy and divine favor as they shared generously (Acts 2:44-47, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5).
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to 'draw out your soul' to help others rather than giving merely from surplus?
- How can believers experience God's light even while remaining in dark circumstances?
- In what ways does generous living toward others transform our own experience of hardship?
Analysis & Commentary
God continues promising blessing for practical mercy: "And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul." "Draw out thy soul" (taphek naphsho) means to pour out yourself, giving not merely surplus but from personal resources and with personal involvement. "Satisfy the afflicted soul" requires meeting genuine needs—the Hebrew anah (afflicted) describes those humbled by circumstances. Then come glorious promises: "then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday." This promises illumination in dark circumstances—God bringing clarity, hope, and vindication when circumstances appear hopeless. The contrast between "obscurity" and "noonday" emphasizes complete transformation from deepest darkness to brightest light. This echoes earlier promises (verse 8) but adds the element of God bringing light even in ongoing dark circumstances. From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates that those who live out their faith through mercy will experience God's sustaining presence even in trials. The darkness doesn't necessarily disappear, but God's light shines within it, transforming experience from despair to hope.