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Isaiah 43:6

Isaiah 43:6 in Multiple Translations

I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth—

I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back; bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the end of the earth;

I will say to the north, Give them up; and to the south, Do not keep them back; send back my sons from far, and my daughters from the end of the earth;

I will tell the north, ‘Hand them over!’ and the south, ‘Don't stop them!’ Bring my sons back from far away and my daughters from distant lands.

I will say to the North, Giue: and to the South, Keepe not backe: bring my sonnes from farre, and my daughters from the ends of the earth.

I am saying to the north, 'Give up,' And to the south, 'Restrain not.' Bring in My sons from afar, And My daughters from the end of the earth.

I will tell the north, ‘Give them up!’ and tell the south, ‘Don’t hold them back! Bring my sons from far away, and my daughters from the ends of the earth—

I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

I will say to the north: Give up: and to the south: Keep not back: bring my sons from afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth.

I will command the rulers of the nations to the north and to the south, ‘Allow all the people of Israel to return to their country, from the most distant places on the earth.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 43:6

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Isaiah 43:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB אֹמַ֤ר לַ/צָּפוֹן֙ תֵּ֔נִי וּ/לְ/תֵימָ֖ן אַל תִּכְלָ֑אִי הָבִ֤יאִי בָנַ/י֙ מֵ/רָח֔וֹק וּ/בְנוֹתַ֖/י מִ/קְצֵ֥ה הָ/אָֽרֶץ
אֹמַ֤ר ʼâmar H559 to say V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
לַ/צָּפוֹן֙ tsâphôwn H6828 Zaphon Prep | N-fs
תֵּ֔נִי nâthan H5414 to give V-Qal-Impv-2fs
וּ/לְ/תֵימָ֖ן têymân H8486 south Conj | Prep | N-fs
אַל ʼal H408 not Part
תִּכְלָ֑אִי kâlâʼ H3607 to restrain V-Qal-Juss-2fs
הָבִ֤יאִי bôwʼ H935 Lebo V-Hiphil-Impv-2fs
בָנַ/י֙ bên H1121 son N-mp | Suff
מֵ/רָח֔וֹק râchôwq H7350 distant Prep | Adj
וּ/בְנוֹתַ֖/י bath H1323 Bath (Shua) Conj | N-fp | Suff
מִ/קְצֵ֥ה qâtseh H7097 end Prep | N-cs
הָ/אָֽרֶץ ʼerets H776 land Art | N-cs
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 43:6

אֹמַ֤ר ʼâmar H559 "to say" V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
לַ/צָּפוֹן֙ tsâphôwn H6828 "Zaphon" Prep | N-fs
This word means 'north' and is used to describe a direction or location. In the Bible, it is often translated as 'north' or 'northern side'.
Definition: This name means north Also named: tsa.phon (צָפוֹן "Zaphon" H6829)
Usage: Occurs in 141 OT verses. KJV: north(-ern, side, -ward, wind). See also: Genesis 13:14; Jeremiah 6:22; Psalms 48:3.
תֵּ֔נִי nâthan H5414 "to give" V-Qal-Impv-2fs
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
וּ/לְ/תֵימָ֖ן têymân H8486 "south" Conj | Prep | N-fs
The Hebrew word for south or southern direction, used to describe location or wind. It is often translated as south in the Bible, including in books like Exodus and Ezekiel.
Definition: 1) south, southward, whatever is on the right (so the southern quarter), south wind 1a) south (of territory) 1b) southern quarter (of the sky) 1c) toward the south, southward (of direction) 1d) south wind
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: south (side, -ward, wind). See also: Exodus 26:18; Joshua 15:1; Psalms 78:26.
אַל ʼal H408 "not" Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
תִּכְלָ֑אִי kâlâʼ H3607 "to restrain" V-Qal-Juss-2fs
This Hebrew word means to hold something back or restrict it, often used in the Bible to describe God's control over human actions. It appears in books like Leviticus and Psalms, where it talks about restraining evil or withholding punishment. English Bibles translate it as 'restrain' or 'withhold'.
Definition: 1) to restrict, restrain, withhold, shut up, keep back, refrain, forbid 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to shut up 1a2) to restrain 1a3) to withhold 1b) (Niphal) to be restrained 1c) (Piel) to finish
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: finish, forbid, keep (back), refrain, restrain, retain, shut up, be stayed, withhold. See also: Genesis 8:2; Psalms 88:9; Psalms 40:10.
הָבִ֤יאִי bôwʼ H935 "Lebo" V-Hiphil-Impv-2fs
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
בָנַ/י֙ bên H1121 "son" N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
מֵ/רָח֔וֹק râchôwq H7350 "distant" Prep | Adj
This Hebrew word means something or someone is far away, either physically or in time. It is often used to describe distant lands or events that happened long ago. In the Bible, it appears in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: adj 1) remote, far, distant, distant lands, distant ones 1a) of distance, time n m 2) distance 2a) from a distance (with prep) Aramaic equivalent: ra.chiq (רְחִיק "far" H7352)
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: (a-) far (abroad, off), long ago, of old, space, great while to come. See also: Genesis 22:4; Psalms 65:6; Psalms 10:1.
וּ/בְנוֹתַ֖/י bath H1323 "Bath (Shua)" Conj | N-fp | Suff
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.
מִ/קְצֵ֥ה qâtseh H7097 "end" Prep | N-cs
In the book of Joshua, this word refers to an end or border of a territory. It can also mean the edge or brink of something. This concept is used to describe the boundaries of the Promised Land.
Definition: 1) end, extremity 1a) end, mouth, extremity 1b) border, outskirts 1c) the whole (condensed term for what is included within extremities) 1d) at the end of (a certain time) Also means: qe.tseh (קֵ֫צֶה "end" H7097B)
Usage: Occurs in 87 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, border, brim, brink, edge, end, (in-) finite, frontier, outmost coast, quarter, shore, (out-) side, [idiom] some, ut(-ter-) most (part). See also: Genesis 8:3; Judges 7:19; Psalms 19:5.
הָ/אָֽרֶץ ʼerets H776 "land" Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.

Study Notes — Isaiah 43:6

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 2 Corinthians 6:17–18 “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
2 Jeremiah 3:14 “Return, O faithless children,” declares the LORD, “for I am your master, and I will take you—one from a city and two from a family—and bring you to Zion.
3 Jeremiah 3:18–19 In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave to your fathers as an inheritance. Then I said, ‘How I long to make you My sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of all the nations!’ I thought you would call Me ‘Father’ and never turn away from following Me.
4 Romans 9:7–8 Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring.
5 Galatians 3:26–29 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.
6 Hosea 1:10–11 Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And it will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’ Then the people of Judah and of Israel will be gathered together, and they will appoint for themselves one leader, and will go up out of the land. For great will be the day of Jezreel.
7 Psalms 107:3 and gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.
8 Isaiah 18:7 At that time gifts will be brought to the LORD of Hosts— from a people tall and smooth-skinned, from a people widely feared, from a powerful nation of strange speech, whose land is divided by rivers— to Mount Zion, the place of the Name of the LORD of Hosts.
9 Romans 9:25–26 As He says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘My People’ who are not My people, and I will call her ‘My Beloved’ who is not My beloved,” and, “It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”

Isaiah 43:6 Summary

In Isaiah 43:6, God is saying that He will call His people to come to Him from all directions, and that nothing should hold them back. This means that no matter where we are in life, God wants us to come to Him and be with Him, as seen in Isaiah 43:5 where He promises to be with us. He loves us so much that He wants to gather us to Himself, just like a father calling his children home (as in Luke 15:11-32). This is a beautiful picture of God's love and desire to be with us, and it should give us confidence to come to Him and trust in His care.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean when God says 'I will say to the north, Give them up!' and 'to the south, Do not hold them back!'?

This is a call for God's people to be released from any place that holds them back from following Him, as seen in Isaiah 43:6, similar to how God parted the Red Sea in Exodus 14:13-31 to free His people from slavery.

Who are the 'sons' and 'daughters' God is bringing from afar?

These are God's children, those who have put their faith in Him, as mentioned in John 1:12, and are being gathered from all over the world to be with Him, as promised in Isaiah 43:6.

What is the significance of God bringing His people 'from the ends of the earth'?

This phrase emphasizes God's power and love to gather His people from all corners of the globe, as seen in Isaiah 43:6, much like He promised to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 that all nations would be blessed through him.

How does this verse relate to God's overall plan of salvation?

This verse is part of God's larger plan to redeem and restore His people, as seen in Isaiah 43:1-7, and is connected to His promise to bring all nations to Himself, as mentioned in Revelation 7:9-10.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways you feel 'held back' in your walk with God, and how can you apply the promise of Isaiah 43:6 to your life?
  2. Reflect on the times in your life when you felt God 'bringing you' to a new place or experience - how did you respond, and what did you learn from it?
  3. How does the knowledge that you are a 'son' or 'daughter' of God, as mentioned in Isaiah 43:6, impact your sense of identity and purpose?
  4. In what ways can you participate in God's work of gathering His people 'from the ends of the earth', as mentioned in Isaiah 43:6, through prayer, giving, or sharing the Gospel with others?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 43:6

I will say to the north, give up: and to the south, keep not back,.... That is, give up, and not retain, those that belong to the Lord; here the winds are spoken to by a personification; or the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 43:6

I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; I will say to the north, Give up - namely, my people.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 43:6

Give up; thou who hast so long had and held my people in bondage, resign them to me, and permit them to return to their own land. He speaks either to the countries themselves by a prosopopoeia, or to the inhabitants of them. Bring my sons; do not only permit, but assist and further, their return.

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 43:6

Isaiah 43:6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;Ver. 6. I will say to the north, Give up.] I will do it with a word of my mouth, Ipse dixit, et facta sunt. He himself said and is was done. Bring my sons from far, and my daughters.] That is, say some, my stronger and also weaker children, of what size or sex soever. Souls have no sexes. Oecolamp.

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 43:6

(6) Bring my sons . . .—The words imply an escort of honour, given by the heathen nations to the returning exiles.

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 43:6

6. my sons … my daughters] see ch. Isaiah 1:1. The individual Israelites are the children of the marriage between Jehovah and the nation (Hosea 2:2; Hosea 2:5; Ezekiel 16:20, &c.).

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 43:6

I will say to the north, Give up - Give up my people, or restore them to their own land. Bring my sons ... - Bring all my people from the distant lands where they have been driven in their dispersion. This is a beautiful passage.

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 43:6

5-7. Fear not — Resumed from Isaiah 43:1, to add a second reason for Israel’s confidence — because God commands restoration from every quarter — from east, west, north, south.

Sermons on Isaiah 43:6

SermonDescription
Paul Washer (The Glory of God) in Motivation by Paul Washer In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of preaching about God's glory rather than focusing on principles and rules. He criticizes the tendency of pastors to manipula
David Wilkerson "Where Are the Praying People?" by David Wilkerson This sermon emphasizes the speaker's strong desire to remain separate from the sinful influences of the world, committing to prayer, Bible reading, and standing against immorality.
Leonard Ravenhill Deeper Waters - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the profound depth of the Gospel of John, particularly focusing on the themes of sanctification and the nature of Jesus as both divine and human. He ar
Keith Daniel Be Ye Holy for I Am Holy by Keith Daniel In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being transformed and renewed in our minds to align with God's will. He quotes from 1 Peter 1:14, urging believers to be o
Vance Havner The Christian in This World by Vance Havner In this sermon, the speaker shares his experience of attending an old-fashioned Methodist camp meeting where they were singing and praising God. He highlights the importance of gra
C.H. Spurgeon Dare to Be a Daniel by C.H. Spurgeon In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having faith in God and relying on the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ for salvation. He encourages believers to s
J. Vernon McGee (Genesis) Genesis 35:1-2 by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jacob and his journey back to Bethel. Jacob is called by God to return to Bethel and make an altar there. The preacher emphasiz

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