Isaiah 65:24

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 65:24 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it shall come to pass that, before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it shall come to pass that, before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
Isaiah 65:24 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 65

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
24And it shall come to pass that, before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer, &c.] The sense is, should they be attacked by any enemy, or fear that they shall be disturbed by them, and so bethink themselves of making application to the Lord for help; while they are preparing for prayer, stirring up one another to it, and appointing a season for it, to meet together on that account; before they are able to put up one petition in a regular way, the Lord will appear for them, and give an answer of peace: and while they are yet speaking, I will hear; while they are praying to him, he hears and answers, and grants their requests, and more, as he did Daniel. This shows the readiness of the Lord to help and…”
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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
“Contrast Isa 64:7, "none . . . calleth," &c.; and see on Isa 65:12, "I called, ye did not answer." MAURER translates, "They shall hardly (literally, "not yet") call, when (literally, "and") I will answer; they shall be still speaking, when I will hear" (Psa 32:5; Dan 9:20-21).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Before they call, I will answer - That is, their desires shall be anticipated, God will see their needs, and he will impart to them the blessings which they need. He will not wait to be applied to for the blessing. How many such blessings do all his people receive at the hand of God! How ready is he to anticipate our needs! How watchful is he of our necessities; and how rich his benevolence in providing for us! Even the most faithful and prayerful of his people receive numerous favors and comforts at his hand for which they have not directly asked him. The prayer for the supply of our daily food, ‘Give us this day our daily bread,’ God had anticipated, and had prepared the means of answering…”
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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
“Before they call - God promised, Isa 58:9, to answer them, when they called: here he promises to answer the words, as soon as they should be formed in their hearts before they could get them out of their lips. While - Yea, while they were speaking. Isaiah 65:25”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“65:24 God will be present with his people (see also 19:22; 30:19; cp. 1:15; 59:2).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Isa 58:9; Psa 32:5, Psa 50:15, Psa 91:15; Dan 9:20-23, Dan 10:12; Mar 11:24; Luk 15:18-20; Act 4:31, Act 10:30-32, Act 12:5-16; Jo1 5:14, Jo1 5:15 Isaiah 65:25”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“All prayer will be heard then. "And it will come to pass: before they call, I will answer; they are still speaking, and I already hear." The will of the church of the new Jerusalem will be so perfectly the will of Jehovah also, that He will hear the slightest emotion of prayer in the heart, the half-uttered prayer, and will at once fulfill it (cf., Isa 30:19). Isaiah 65:25”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification