New Living Translation
Isaiah 55:9
9For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
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
7Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. 8“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. 10“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. 11It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
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 36:5Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
- Psalms 77:19Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters— a pathway no one knew was there!
- Psalms 89:2Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.
- Psalms 103:11For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
- Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.
- Romans 11:31Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share in God’s 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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