Isaiah · Chapter 55 · Wisdom
Isaiah 55:11 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"so is my word that goes out of my mouth: it will not return to me void, but it will accomplish that which I please, and it will prosper in the thing I sent it to do."
KJV · King James Version
"So shall my word1697 be that goeth forth3318 out of my mouth6310: it shall not return7725 unto me void7387, but it shall accomplish6213 that which I please2654, and it shall prosper6743 in the thing whereto I sent7971 it."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses shall, goeth, forth, unto, while the WEB renders these as goes, will. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
Isaiah 55:11 in Isaiah 55
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Isaiah 55:11 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Isaiah 55. Read the full chapter →
- v.9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
- v.10 For as the rain comes down and the snow from the sky, and doesn’t return there, but waters the earth, and makes it grow and bud, and gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
- v.11 so is my word that goes out of my mouth: it will not return to me void, but it will accomplish that which I please, and it will prosper in the thing I sent it to do.
- v.12 For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace. The mountains and the hills will break out before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields will clap their hands.
- v.13 Instead of the thorn the cypress tree will come up; and instead of the brier the myrtle tree will come up: and it will make a name for Yahweh, for an everlasting sign that will not be cut off.”
Book background
About the Book of Isaiah
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Genre
- Major prophet
- Author
- Isaiah son of Amoz
- Date written
- c. 740–680 BC
- Audience
- Judah during the Assyrian crisis
- Chapters
- 66
Isaiah is the longest prophetic book and is sometimes called "the fifth Gospel" for its detailed Messianic prophecies — the virgin's child (7:14), the government on his shoulder (9:6), and the Suffering Servant of chapter 53 who would be "wounded for our transgressions." It opens with judgment and ends with the promise of new heavens and a new earth (66:22).
Setting: Jerusalem during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.
Key themes: holiness · judgment · salvation · Messiah · new creation
Memorisation aid
How to memorise Isaiah 55:11
Isaiah 55:11 contains 37 words in 3 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
so is my word that goes out of my mouth: it will not return to me void
SIMWTG
- 2
but it will accomplish that which I please
BIWATW
- 3
and it will prosper in the thing I sent it to do.
AIWPIT
Frequently asked
FAQ about Isaiah 55:11
What does Isaiah 55:11 say?
Isaiah 55:11 reads: "so is my word that goes out of my mouth: it will not return to me void, but it will accomplish that which I please, and it will prosper in the thing I sent it to do." — from the Old Testament, Isaiah (Major prophet). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is Isaiah 55:11 in?
Isaiah 55:11 is in the book of Isaiah, traditionally attributed to Isaiah son of Amoz and written around c. 740–680 BC. Isaiah is major prophet in the Old Testament, originally addressed to Judah during the Assyrian crisis. Best known for the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53.
What is Isaiah 55:11 about?
Isaiah 55:11 is primarily a Bible verse about Wisdom. Within Isaiah, Isaiah is the longest prophetic book and is sometimes called "the fifth Gospel" for its detailed Messianic prophecies — the virgin's child (7:14), the government on his shoulder (9:6), and the Suffering Servant of chapter 53 who would be "wounded for our transgressions. Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between Isaiah 55:11 in WEB and KJV?
Isaiah 55:11 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "so is my word that goes out of my mouth: it will not return to me void, but it will accomplish that which I please, and it will prosper in the thing I sent it to do.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "So shall my word1697 be that goeth forth3318 out of my mouth6310: it shall not return7725 unto me void7387, but it shall accomplish6213 that which I please2654, and it shall prosper6743 in the thing whereto I sent7971 it.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is Isaiah 55:11?
Isaiah 55:11 is 37 words in the WEB translation (165 characters), broken into 3 clauses. It is a longer verse, often broken into smaller phrases for memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 11 seconds.
How can I memorise Isaiah 55:11?
To memorise Isaiah 55:11, split it into its 3 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does Isaiah 55:11 matter in Isaiah?
Isaiah is the longest prophetic book and is sometimes called "the fifth Gospel" for its detailed Messianic prophecies — the virgin's child (7:14), the government on his shoulder (9:6), and the Suffering Servant of chapter 53 who would be "wounded for our transgressions." It opens with judgment and ends with the promise of new heavens and a new earth (66:22). Isaiah 55:11 sits within this larger story — Isaiah as a whole emphasises holiness, judgment, salvation.
How can I apply Isaiah 55:11 today?
Many readers use Isaiah 55:11 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Isaiah 55:11 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
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10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
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Psalms 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.”
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Ecclesiastes 3:1
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:”
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Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
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1 Samuel 16:7
“But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man look…”
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Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
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Romans 12:2
“Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will…”
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James 1:5
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.”
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Psalms 1:1
“Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers;”
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Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.”
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Proverbs 4:23
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.”
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“But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and no…”
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Isaiah 41:10
“Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the…”
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Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep whoever's mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.”
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Isaiah 9:6
“For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eve…”
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