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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 55:8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/55-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/23_Isa_55_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 55:8 - Invitation to the Needy" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/isaiah/55-7.htm" title="Isaiah 55:7">◄</a> Isaiah 55:8 <a href="/isaiah/55-9.htm" title="Isaiah 55:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/isaiah/55.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/isaiah/55.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,&#8221 declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/55.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/55.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/55.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/55.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For my thoughts <i>are</i> not your thoughts, neither <i>are</i> your ways my ways, saith the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/55.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“For My thoughts <i>are</i> not your thoughts, Nor <i>are</i> your ways My ways,” says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/55.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/55.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,&#8221 declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/55.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/55.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares Yahweh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/55.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/55.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways.” This is the LORD’s declaration.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/55.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.&#8221 This is the LORD&#8217s declaration.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/55.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/55.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The LORD says: "My thoughts and my ways are not like yours. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/55.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/55.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"My thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways," declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/55.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"My thoughts," says the LORD, "are not like yours, and my ways are different from yours. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/55.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/55.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,? declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/55.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/55.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/55.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/55.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways,” says Yahweh. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/55.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“For My thoughts [are] not your thoughts, "" Nor your ways My ways,” "" A declaration of YHWH,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/55.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For not My thoughts are your thoughts, Nor your ways My ways, -- an affirmation of Jehovah,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/55.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For not my purposes your purposes and not your ways my ways, says Jehovah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/55.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For my thoughts are not your thoughts: nor your ways my ways, saith the Lord. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/55.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways, says the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/55.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/55.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/55.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For my thoughts are not like your thoughts, neither are my ways like your ways, says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/55.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because my thoughts are not as your thoughts, and my ways are not as your ways, says LORD JEHOVAH<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/55.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/55.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For my counsels are not as your counsels, nor are my ways as your ways, saith the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/55-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=12351" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/55.htm">Invitation to the Needy</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">“For</a> <a href="/hebrew/4284.htm" title="4284: maḥ·šə·ḇō·w·ṯay (N-fpc:: 1cs) -- Thought, device. Or machashebeth; from chashab; a contrivance, i.e. a texture, machine, or intention, plan.">My thoughts</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">are not</a> <a href="/hebrew/4284.htm" title="4284: maḥ·šə·ḇō·w·ṯê·ḵem (N-fpc:: 2mp) -- Thought, device. Or machashebeth; from chashab; a contrivance, i.e. a texture, machine, or intention, plan.">your thoughts,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">neither are</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: ḏar·ḵê·ḵem (N-cpc:: 2mp) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">your ways</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: də·rā·ḵāy (N-cpc:: 1cs) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">My ways,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/5002.htm" title="5002: nə·’um (N-msc) -- Utterance. From na'am; an oracle.">declares</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-33.htm">Romans 11:33</a></span><br />O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a></span><br />Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-25.htm">1 Corinthians 1:25</a></span><br />For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/11-7.htm">Job 11:7-9</a></span><br />Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? / They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? / Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/92-5.htm">Psalm 92:5</a></span><br />How great are Your works, O LORD, how deep are Your thoughts!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-11.htm">Jeremiah 29:11</a></span><br />For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-9.htm">1 Corinthians 2:9-11</a></span><br />Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” / But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. / For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:5</a></span><br />As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones are formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/3-20.htm">Ephesians 3:20</a></span><br />Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/139-6.htm">Psalm 139:6</a></span><br />Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/37-5.htm">Job 37:5</a></span><br />God thunders wondrously with His voice; He does great things we cannot comprehend.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-8.htm">2 Peter 3:8-9</a></span><br />Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. / The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/40-5.htm">Psalm 40:5</a></span><br />Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us—none can compare to You—if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25-26</a></span><br />At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. / Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/26-14.htm">Job 26:14</a></span><br />Indeed, these are but the fringes of His ways; how faint is the whisper we hear of Him! Who then can understand the thunder of His power?”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, said the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/7-19.htm">2 Samuel 7:19</a></b></br> And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And <i>is</i> this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/25-10.htm">Psalm 25:10</a></b></br> All the paths of the LORD <i>are</i> mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/40-5.htm">Psalm 40:5</a></b></br> Many, O LORD my God, <i>are</i> thy wonderful works <i>which</i> thou hast done, and thy thoughts <i>which are</i> to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: <i>if</i> I would declare and speak <i>of them</i>, they are more than can be numbered.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/54-17.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/isaiah/54-17.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/isaiah/55-7.htm">Thoughts</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-9.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/59-20.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/isaiah/56-8.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/isaiah/55-9.htm">Thoughts</a> <a href="/isaiah/55-9.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 55</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/55-1.htm">The prophet, with the promises of Christ, calls to faith</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">And to repentance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">The happy success of those who believe</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/55.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/55.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For My thoughts are not your thoughts</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the vast difference between God's divine wisdom and human understanding. In the biblical context, it serves as a reminder of God's omniscience and the limitations of human reasoning. The Hebrew word for "thoughts" here can also imply plans or intentions, suggesting that God's purposes transcend human comprehension. This concept is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a>, which advises trust in the Lord rather than relying on one's own understanding. Theologically, this distinction underscores the need for faith and reliance on divine revelation rather than human logic alone.<p><b>neither are your ways My ways,</b><br>The term "ways" refers to the conduct or manner of life. This phrase highlights the moral and ethical gap between God's perfect holiness and human sinfulness. In the historical context of Isaiah, Israel often strayed from God's commandments, choosing their own paths. This divergence is a recurring theme in the Bible, as seen in passages like <a href="/psalms/25-4.htm">Psalm 25:4-5</a>, where the psalmist seeks God's guidance. Theologically, it points to the necessity of aligning one's life with God's will, as revealed through scripture and the life of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate example of walking in God's ways.<p><b>declares the LORD.</b><br>This declaration is a divine affirmation, underscoring the authority and sovereignty of God. The use of "LORD" in all capitals signifies the translation of the Hebrew name Yahweh, the covenant name of God, which conveys His eternal and unchanging nature. This phrase assures the reader of the reliability and truth of God's words. In the broader biblical narrative, God's declarations are always fulfilled, as seen in prophecies throughout the Old Testament and their fulfillment in the New Testament, particularly in the life and work of Jesus Christ. This assurance invites believers to trust in God's promises and His ultimate plan for redemption.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah's ministry spanned the reigns of several kings of Judah. He is known for his prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah and the salvation of the Lord.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God used in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature and His relationship with His people.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel during Isaiah's time, often the primary audience of his prophecies, which included calls to repentance and promises of future restoration.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/exile.htm">Exile</a></b><br>The context of Isaiah's prophecies often includes the looming threat of exile due to the people's disobedience, highlighting the need for trust in God's higher plans.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/prophetic_vision.htm">Prophetic Vision</a></b><br>Isaiah's role as a prophet involved receiving and communicating God's messages, which often included visions of God's ultimate plans and purposes.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours, reminding us of His ultimate authority and control over all things.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_plan.htm">Trust in God's Plan</a></b><br>Even when circumstances are confusing or challenging, we are called to trust that God's plans are for our good and His glory.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_in_understanding.htm">Humility in Understanding</a></b><br>Recognizing the limits of our understanding should lead us to humility and reliance on God's wisdom rather than our own.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_for_alignment.htm">Prayer for Alignment</a></b><br>We should pray for our thoughts and ways to align more closely with God's, seeking His guidance and wisdom in our daily lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_promises.htm">Hope in God's Promises</a></b><br>Despite our limited perspective, we can have hope in the promises of God, knowing that His ways are perfect and His plans are for our ultimate benefit.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_55.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 55</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_isaiah_55_8-9_dismiss_contradictions.htm">In Isaiah 55:8–9, is the claim that God’s ways are higher than human ways simply a way to dismiss contradictions or lack of evidence? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_isaiah_55's_promise_conflict_with_history.htm">Throughout Isaiah 55, does the assurance of divine deliverance conflict with historical events, including Israel’s repeated conquests and exiles, calling into question the text’s reliability?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_are_god's_thoughts_superior.htm">How are God's thoughts higher than human thoughts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_christians_grasp_god's_nature.htm">If God is beyond human comprehension, how can Christians claim to understand His nature?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/55.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">My thoughts are not your thoughts . . .</span>--The assertion refers to both the promise and the warning. Men think that the gifts of God can be purchased with money (<a href="/acts/8-20.htm" title="But Peter said to him, Your money perish with you, because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.">Acts 8:20</a>). They think that the market in which they are sold is always open, and that they can have them when and how they please (<a href="/context/matthew/25-9.htm" title="But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go you rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.">Matthew 25:9-13</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/55.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 8-13.</span> - A FRESH ASSURANCE or DELIVERANCE FROM BABYLON. Man can scarcely conceive of the deliverance which God designs; but God's thoughts are not as man's (vers. 8, 9). God's word, once pronounced, is potent to effect its purpose (vers. 10, 11). Deliverance from Babylon, having been promised, will take place, and will be accompanied by all manner of spiritual blessings (vers. 12, 13). <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 8, 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">My thoughts are not your thoughts</span>. Though man is made in God's image (<a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Genesis 1:27</a>), yet the nature of God in every way infinitely transcends that of man. Both the thoughts and the acts of God surpass man's understanding. Men find it hard to pardon those who have offended them; God can pardon, and "pardon abundantly." Men cannot conceive of coming changes, when they pass certain limits. God knows assuredly what changes are approaching, since they are his doing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/55-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">My thoughts</span><br /><span class="heb">מַחְשְׁבוֹתַי֙</span> <span class="translit">(maḥ·šə·ḇō·w·ṯay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4284.htm">Strong's 4284: </a> </span><span class="str2">A contrivance, a texture, machine, intention, plan</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֤א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your thoughts,</span><br /><span class="heb">מַחְשְׁב֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(maḥ·šə·ḇō·w·ṯê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4284.htm">Strong's 4284: </a> </span><span class="str2">A contrivance, a texture, machine, intention, plan</span><br /><br /><span class="word">neither are</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your ways</span><br /><span class="heb">דַרְכֵיכֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(ḏar·ḵê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">My ways,”</span><br /><span class="heb">דְּרָכָ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(də·rā·ḵāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">declares</span><br /><span class="heb">נְאֻ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(nə·’um)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5002.htm">Strong's 5002: </a> </span><span class="str2">An oracle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/55-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 55:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 55:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/55-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 55:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 55:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>