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Isaiah 55:9

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 55:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 55

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near:
7let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah.
9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
11so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
12For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands.
← Isaiah 55:8Isaiah 55:10 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For as the heavens, are higher than the earth, &c.] Than which there cannot be conceived a greater distance: so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts; which may denote the heavenliness of the ways and thoughts of God, the eternity and unsearchableness of them, and their excellency and preciousness; as well as the very great distance between his ways and thoughts and men’s which this is designed to illustrate.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Psa 57:10; Psa 89:2; Psa 103:11). "For" is repeated from Isa 55:8. But MAURER, after the negation, translates, "but."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For as the heavens ... - This verse is designed merely to illustrate the idea in the former. There is as great a difference between the plans of God and those of people, as between the heavens and the earth. A similar comparison occurs in Psalms 103:11 - For as the heaven is high alcove the earth, So great is his mercy toward them that fear him. Compare Psalms 57:10 - For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, And thy truth unto the clouds. Also Psalms 89:2 - Mercy shall be built up forever, Thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens. The idea in all these passages is substantially the same - that the mercy and compassion of God are illimitable. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Psa 36:5, Psa 77:19, Psa 89:2, Psa 103:11; Mat 11:25; Rom 11:31-36 Isaiah 55:10”
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Related study paths

Read Isaiah 55 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification