Bible Strands
Isaiah 54:9
“For to Me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So I have sworn that I will not be angry with you or rebuke you.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD addresses Israel in Isaiah 54, using the historical flood as a benchmark to contrast His brief past anger with His permanent commitment to them.
The words — The text highlights נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי (nishba'ti), meaning "I swore," and זֹאת (zot), meaning "this," to frame God’s promise as a deliberate oath mirroring the flood covenant.
The thread — The verse echoes the flood narrative in Genesis 9:11 and Genesis 8:21, while Isaiah 12:1 later reflects on God’s anger turning away.
Why it lands — The passage states that God’s sworn commitment to not rebuke His people stands firm regardless of natural upheaval, requiring the reader to anchor trust in His covenantal loyalty rather than temporary circumstances.
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
For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 12:1 In that day you will say: “O LORD, I will praise You. Although You were angry with me, Your anger has turned away, and You have comforted me.
- Genesis 8:21 When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done.
- Genesis 9:11 And I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
- Hebrews 6:16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument.
- Psalms 104:9 You set a boundary they cannot cross, that they may never again cover the earth.
- Isaiah 55:11 so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.
- Jeremiah 31:35 Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day, who sets in order the moon and stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of Hosts is His name:
- Jeremiah 33:20 “This is what the LORD says: If you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that day and night cease to occupy their appointed time,
- Ezekiel 39:20 And at My table you will eat your fill of horses and riders, of mighty men and warriors of every kind,’ declares the Lord GOD.