Isaiah 55 · Verse 9

Isaiah 55:9

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, King James Version

Isaiah 55:9 in other translations

BSB“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.
WEB“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
ASVFor as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
YLTFor high have the heavens been above the earth, So high have been My ways above your ways, And My thoughts above your thoughts.
DARBYFor as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
BBEFor as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
WebsterFor as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

What does Isaiah 55:9 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
9. (Psa 57:10; 89:2; 103:11). "For" is repeated from Is 55:8. But Maurer, after the negation, translates, "but."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 9 For as the heavens are higher - I am persuaded that כ caph, the particle of comparison, is lost in this place, from the likeness of the particle כי ki, immediately preceding it. So Houbigant and Secker. And their remark is confirmed by all the ancient Versions, which express it; and by the following passage of Psa 103:11, which is almost the same: - הארץ על שמים כגבה כי haarets al shamayim chigboah ki יראיו על חסדו גבר yereaiv al chasdo gabar "For as the heavens are high above the earth, So high is his goodness over them that fear him." Where, by the nature of the sentence, the verb in the second line ought to be the same with that in the first; גבה gabah, not גבר gabar: so Archbishop Secker conjectured; referring however to Psa 117:2.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Isaiah 55:6-13

Here is a gracious offer of pardon, and peace, and of all happiness. It shall not be in vain to seek God, now his word is calling to us, and his Spirit is striving with us. But there is a day coming when he will not be found. There may come such a time in this life; it is certain that at death and judgment the door will be shut. There must be not only a change of the way, but a change of the mind. We must alter our…

Read the full comment on Isaiah 55:6-13 →

Isaiah 55:9 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

כִּֽי\־ki-forH3588
גָבְה֥וּga.ve.Huthey are highH1361
שָׁמַ֖יִםsha.Ma.yim[the] heavensH8064
מֵאָ֑רֶץme.'A.retzmore than [the] earthH776
כֵּ֣ןkensoH3651
גָּבְה֤וּga.ve.Huthey are highH1361
דְרָכַי֙de.ra.Khaiways myH1870
מִדַּרְכֵיכֶ֔םmi.dar.khei.Khemmore than ways yourH1870
וּמַחְשְׁבֹתַ֖יu.mach.she.vo.Taiand thoughts myH4284
מִמַּחְשְׁבֹתֵיכֶֽם\׃mi.mach.she.vo.tei.Khemmore than thoughts yourH4284

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Isaiah 55:9

  • Psalms 103:11

    For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

  • Romans 11:31-36

    Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? …

  • Matthew 11:25

    At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

  • Psalms 77:19

    Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.

  • Psalms 36:5

    Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.

  • Psalms 89:2

    For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Ps 36:5; 77:19; 89:2; 103:11; Mt 11:25; Ro 11:31-36

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Isaiah 55:8

    For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

  • Isaiah 55:9

    For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

  • Isaiah 55:10

    For 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, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

Read all of Isaiah 55

Isaiah 55:9 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Como son más altos los cielos que la tierra, así son mis caminos más altos que vuestros caminos, y mis pensamientos más que vuestros pensamientos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		car comme les cieux sont élevés au-dessus de la terre, ainsi mes voies sont élevées au-dessus de vos voies, et mes pensées au-dessus de vos pensées.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn wie der Himmel höher ist als die Erde, so sind meine Wege höher als eure Wege und meine Gedanken als eure Gedanken.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Quia sicut exaltantur cæli a terra, sic exaltatæ sunt viæ meæ a viis vestris, et cogitationes meæ a cogitationibus vestris.