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Isaiah 58:9

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 58:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then shalt thou call, and Jehovah will answer; thou shalt cry, and he will say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking wickedly;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then shalt thou call, and Jehovah will answer; thou shalt cry, and he will say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking wickedly;
Isaiah 58:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 58

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
8Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy healing shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of Jehovah shall by thy rearward.
9Then shalt thou call, and Jehovah will answer; thou shalt cry, and he will say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking wickedly;
10and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul: then shall thy light rise in darkness, and thine obscurity be as the noonday;
11and Jehovah will guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in dry places, and make strong thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
12And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
← Isaiah 58:8Isaiah 58:10 →
← Full Chapter 58 Isaiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then shall thou call, and the Lord shall answer, &c.] A spirit of grace and supplication will be poured out upon the people of God; they will then pray without a form, and call upon the Lord in sincerity and truth, with faith and fervency; and the Lord will hear and answer them, and plentifully bestow his favours on them, so that they will have no reason to complain, as in (<235803>Isaiah 58:3): thou shalt cry, and he shall say, here I am; he will immediately appear to the help and relief of his people; they shall have his presence with them, to comfort and refresh them, to support and supply them, to protect and defend them: if thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke; of human…”
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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
“Then . . . call . . . answer--when sin is renounced (Isa 65:24). When the Lord's call is not hearkened to, He will not hear our "call" (Psa 66:18; Pro 1:24, Pro 1:28; Pro 15:29; Pro 28:9). putting forth of . . . finger--the finger of scorn pointed at simple-minded godly men. The middle finger was so used by the Romans. speaking vanity--every injurious speech [LOWTH].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Then shalt thou call - The sense is, that if we go before God renouncing all our sins, and desirous of doing our duty, then we have a right to expect that he will hear us. But if we go indulging still in sin; if we are false and hollow and hypocritical in our worship; or if, while we keep up the regular forms of devotion, we are nevertheless guilty of oppression, cruelty, and dishonesty, we have no right to expect that he will hear us (see the notes at Isaiah 1:15). If thou take away ... the yoke - (See the notes at Isaiah 58:6). The putting forth of the finger - That is, if you cease to contemn and despise others; if you cease to point at them the finger of scorn. It was usual to make use…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Answer - He will give an effectual demonstration, that he hears thee. Here l am - A phrase that notes a person to be ready at hand to help. Take away - From among you. The yoke - All those pressures and grievances before mentioned. Putting forth - Done by way of scoff, or disdainful insulting. Vanity - Any kind of evil words. Isaiah 58:10”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“58:9 the Lord will answer: Cp. 1:15; see also 19:22. • Stop . . . spreading vicious rumors: God calls for an end to acts and words that destroy relationships (see Prov 6:12-14).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“shalt thou: Isa 1:15, Isa 30:19, Isa 65:24; Psa 34:15-17, Psa 37:4, Psa 50:15, Psa 66:18, Psa 66:19, Psa 91:15, Psa 118:5; Jer 29:12, Jer 29:13; Mat 7:7, Mat 7:8; Jo1 3:21, Jo1 3:22 Here: Gen 27:18; Sa1 3:4-8 the yoke: Isa 58:6 the putting: Isa 57:4; Pro 6:13 speaking: Isa 59:3, Isa 59:4; Psa 12:2; Eze 13:8; Zac 10:2 Isaiah 58:10”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification