New English Translation
Isaiah 55:9
9for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans.
Isaiah 55:9 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
- New International Version (NIV)“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
- New King James Version (NKJV)“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Context of Isaiah 55:9
7The wicked need to abandon their lifestyle and sinful people their plans. They should return to the Lord, and he will show mercy to them, and to their God, for he will freely forgive them. 8“Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds, for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans. 10The rain and snow fall from the sky and do not return, but instead water the earth and make it produce and yield crops, and provide seed for the planter and food for those who must eat. 11In the same way, the promise that I make does not return to me, having accomplished nothing. No, it is realized as I desire and is fulfilled as I intend.”
Read all of Isaiah 55Isaiah 55:9 word by word
כִּֽי־גָבְה֥וּ שָׁמַ֖יִם מֵאָ֑רֶץ כֵּ֣ן גָּבְה֤וּ דְרָכַי֙ מִדַּרְכֵיכֶ֔ם וּמַחְשְׁבֹתַ֖י מִמַּחְשְׁבֹתֵיכֶֽם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Isaiah 55:9
- Psalms 36:5O Lord, your loyal love reaches to the sky; your faithfulness to the clouds.
- Psalms 77:19You walked through the sea; you passed through the surging waters, but left no footprints.
- Psalms 89:2For I say, “Loyal love is permanently established; in the skies you set up your faithfulness.”
- Psalms 103:11For as the skies are high above the earth, so his loyal love towers over his faithful followers.
- Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children.
- Romans 11:31so they too have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy.
Commentaries on Isaiah 55:9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9For as the heavens are higher - I am persuaded that כ caph, the particle of comparison, is lost in this place, from the likeness of the particle כי ki, immediately preceding it. So Houbigant and Secker. And their remark is confirmed by all the ancient Versions, which express it; and by the following passage of Psalm 103:11, which is almost the same: - הארץ על שמים כגבה כי haarets al shamayim chigboah ki יראיו על חסדו גבר yereaiv al chasdo gabar "For as…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-13Verses 6-13 Here is a gracious offer of pardon, and peace, and of all happiness. It shall not be in vain to seek God, now his word is calling to us, and his Spirit is striving with us. But there is a day coming when he will not be found. There may come such a time in this life; it is certain that at death and judgment the door will be shut. There must be not only a change of the way, but a change of the mind. We must alter our judgments about persons and…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8-9My thoughts are not your thoughts: God's plans are wonderful (Psalm 92:5; compare Psalm 94:11). God's creations, including humans, cannot fully understand the Creator's thoughts. However, his messengers reveal insights and knowledge about some of his actions.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. (Psa 57:10; 89:2; 103:11). "For" is repeated from Is 55:8. But Maurer, after the negation, translates, "but."Read the comment
Topics related to Isaiah 55:9
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Isaiah 55
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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