Bible Strands
Isaiah 1:19
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The LORD addresses Israel in a moment of covenant appeal, sandwiched between an invitation to repent (v. 18) and a threat of the sword (v. 20).
The words — תֹּאב֖וּ (to'vu, "you will be willing") is a volitional term, not mere compliance; paired with שְׁמַעְתֶּ֑ם (she'ma'tem, "you will hear/obey"), it demands both desire and action.
The thread — The life-and-death choice set before Israel in Deuteronomy 30:15 finds its echo here; the reward of eating the land's produce parallels Joel 2:26's "plenty to eat" and Isaiah 3:10's "fruit of their labor."
Why it lands — The verse offers no automatic blessing; it ties material provision to a two-part human response—willingness and obedience—leaving the reader with a decision, not a guarantee.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 30:15 See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, as well as death and disaster.
- Isaiah 3:10 Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor.
- Joel 2:26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are satisfied. You will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you. My people will never again be put to shame.
- Hebrews 5:9 And having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him
- Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.
- Isaiah 55:1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!
- Matthew 21:28 But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
- Jeremiah 31:18 I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God.
- Jeremiah 3:12 Go, proclaim this message toward the north: ‘Return, O faithless Israel,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will no longer look on you with anger, for I am merciful,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will not be angry forever.
- Hosea 14:1 Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity.