Isaiah 58:9
Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
Original Language Analysis
אָ֤ז
H227
תִּקְרָא֙
Then shalt thou call
H7121
תִּקְרָא֙
Then shalt thou call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
2 of 15
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
וַיהוָ֣ה
and the LORD
H3068
וַיהוָ֣ה
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יַעֲנֶ֔ה
shall answer
H6030
יַעֲנֶ֔ה
shall answer
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
4 of 15
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
תְּשַׁוַּ֖ע
thou shalt cry
H7768
תְּשַׁוַּ֖ע
thou shalt cry
Strong's:
H7768
Word #:
5 of 15
properly, to be free; but used only causatively and reflexively, to halloo (for help, i.e., freedom from some trouble)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
8 of 15
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תָּסִ֤יר
Here I am If thou take away
H5493
תָּסִ֤יר
Here I am If thou take away
Strong's:
H5493
Word #:
9 of 15
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
מִתּֽוֹכְךָ֙
from the midst
H8432
מִתּֽוֹכְךָ֙
from the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
10 of 15
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
מוֹטָ֔ה
of thee the yoke
H4133
מוֹטָ֔ה
of thee the yoke
Strong's:
H4133
Word #:
11 of 15
a pole; by implication, an ox-bow; hence, a yoke (either literal or figurative)
שְׁלַ֥ח
the putting forth
H7971
שְׁלַ֥ח
the putting forth
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
12 of 15
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶצְבַּ֖ע
of the finger
H676
אֶצְבַּ֖ע
of the finger
Strong's:
H676
Word #:
13 of 15
something to sieze with, i.e., a finger; by analogy, a toe
Cross References
Psalms 50:15And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.Isaiah 65:24And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.Isaiah 1:15And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.Psalms 91:15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.Psalms 12:2They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.Proverbs 6:13He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;Psalms 118:5I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.Psalms 37:4Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.Isaiah 57:4Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood,Isaiah 58:6Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Historical Context
The community addressed had been crying out to God while maintaining injustice—expecting Him to answer while they refused to answer the cries of the oppressed. This reflects a pattern throughout Israel's history where God withdrew His presence due to covenant unfaithfulness (Ezekiel 10:18-19, Hosea 5:15). The promise of restoration appears when justice and mercy return (Zechariah 8:3-5, 13-17). In the New Testament, believers have confident access to God through Christ (Hebrews 4:16, 10:19-22), but must maintain clean consciences and genuine faith.
Questions for Reflection
- What sins in our lives might hinder God from responding to our prayers?
- How does the promise 'Here I am' reflect the intimacy God desires with His people?
- In what ways do justice and mercy toward others relate to our access to God in prayer?
Analysis & Commentary
Continuing the promises, God pledges immediate response to prayer: "Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am." This intimate response—"Here I am" (hineni)—is the same phrase Abraham, Moses, and Isaiah used when responding to God's call (Genesis 22:1, Exodus 3:4, Isaiah 6:8). God reciprocates their availability to Him with His availability to them. However, this promise is conditional: "If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity." Three sins must cease:
From a Reformed perspective, this shows that effectual prayer requires not sinless perfection but genuine repentance and transformation. God hears the prayers of the righteous (Proverbs 15:29, James 5:16, 1 John 3:22), but unconfessed sin hinders prayer (Psalm 66:18, Isaiah 59:2). Christ's perfect righteousness opens the way, but we must approach through faith active in love.