Isaiah 55:2

Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, 2 and your labor for that which does not satisfy? 1 Sh'ma ·Hear obey· sh'ma ·hear obey· unto me, and eat that which is good, 2 and let your soul delight itself in richness. 1

One Unity Resource Bible

In The King James Version

Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

In Context

1+ 55:1 (1-2) MP: By quotation, Messiah is declaring himself a parallel Feast Day fulfillment. “Every one come who is thirsty” (John 7:37-39) is applied Messiah’s ministry. (John 7:37-39; Rev 22:17) Culture Note: By quoting the first lines of this chapter, Messiah is referencing the entire chapter (as was a common custom of rabbis of his day because all Jews memorized the whole of Bible books), therefore the entire chapter is used to allude to his Messianic claim and be as a witness to this prophetic fulfillment. By quoting this passage, the Messiah applied the Tabernacles Water Pouring ceremony and the intention of the ceremony to himself and to the effusion and permeation of the Holy Spirit (Is 44:3). The Holy Spirit is promised to be given by Messiah and even accompanying His ministry. Bishop Lowth, in 1846, quoted an undefined passage in Jerusalem Talmud, concluding that the song in (Num 21:16-18) is to be sung in the times of the Messiah, possibly at this ceremony. The water is said to be “drawn from the wells of salvation” (Is 12:3), signifying the influences of the Holy Spirit to be given in the days of Messiah. “Hey! Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters! + 55:1. Quoted in John 7:37; Rev 22:17 2 Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat! 2 Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. + 55:1. Quoted in Rev 21:6, 22:17 1

3+ 55:3 (3-4) MP: Messiah establishes a new covenant, continuing in the same authority as God with King David, and is for a witness and a leader and commander like unto David. (See also Jer 31:31-34). (Luke 22:20; Heb 8:6; Rev 1:5, 2:14-16) Turn your ear, and come to me. 2 Sh'ma ·Hear obey·, and your soul will live: 2 and I will make an everlasting covenant ·binding contract between two or more parties· with you, even to give you the chesed ·loving-kindness· shown to David [Beloved]. + 55:3. Quoted in Acts 13:34 1

Read all of Isaiah 55

Cross References

Deuteronomy 11:13It shall happen, if you shall sh'ma ·hear obey· diligently to my mitzvot ·instructions· which I enjoin you today, to 'ahav ·affectionately love· Adonai your God, and to abad ·serve· him with all your heart and with all your soul,

Psalms 34:11ל Come, you children, sh'ma ·hear obey· unto me. 2 I will teach you the fear of Adonai. 1

Psalms 63:5My soul shall be satisfied as with the richest food. 2 My mouth shall praise you with joyful lips, 2

Proverbs 7:23Until an arrow strikes through his liver, 2 as a bird hurries to the snare, 2 and does not know that it will cost his life. 1

Proverbs 9:5“Come, eat some of my bread, 2 Drink some of the wine which I have mixed! 1

Isaiah 1:19If you are willing and sh'ma ·hearing obedient·, 2 you shall eat the good of the land; 1

Matthew Henry on Isaiah 55:2-6

Evangelical Invitations. ( b. c. 706.) 1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Isaiah 55:2