· Translation: KJV

Isaiah 55:5Behold, you shall call a nation that you don't know; and a nation that didn't know you shall run to you, because of Yahweh your God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he has glorified you."

The setting

Babylon, ~540 BC. God promises that unknown nations will seek out His people. This reversal must have seemed impossible to defeated exiles.

The emotion here: amazed at God's plan to reach every tribe and tongue

The original word

yārūṣū (יָרוּצוּ) — to run eagerly, like someone rushing toward something precious

Why it matters

This prophecy reversed the normal pattern — instead of Israel seeking foreign gods, foreign nations would seek Israel's God

Read with care

What most readers miss in Isaiah 55:5

Nations will 'run' to you — this isn't casual interest but desperate pursuit

Common misconceptionPeople think this is about Israel's political restoration, but it's about spiritual magnetism — God making His people so attractive that others run toward them.

Bible Genome reading

Isaiah 55:5 — Bible Genome reading

EraExile
Primary emotionjoyful
Literary typeprophecy
MarkPromise of God
MarkProphecy

Emotional genome

Comfort power70%
Quotability60%
Memorability60%
Crisis relevance50%
Standalone50%
Themes:missionnationsglory

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Isaiah 55

Isaiah 55:5 comes from the book of Isaiah, written during the Exile period. The dominant emotion in this verse is joyful, with a comfort power of 70% and a tone that is joyful. It belongs to the prophecy genre of biblical literature. Key themes include mission, nations, glory. Notable phrases: call a nation; shall run to you. This verse contains a promise of God. This verse contains prophecy.

Your reflection

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