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Isaiah 55:9

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

KJV

Quia sicut exaltantur cæli a terra, sic exaltatæ sunt viæ meæ a viis vestris, et cogitationes meæ a cogitationibus vestris.

Vulgate

ἀλλ’ ὡς ἀπέχει ὁ οὐρανὸς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, οὕτως ἀπέχει ἡ ὁδός μου ἀπὸ τῶν ὁδῶν ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ διανοήματα ὑμῶν ἀπὸ τῆς διανοίας μου.

LXX

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

ASV

כִּֽי גָבְה֥וּ שָׁמַ֖יִם מֵ/אָ֑רֶץ כֵּ֣ן גָּבְה֤וּ דְרָכַ/י֙ מִ/דַּרְכֵי/כֶ֔ם וּ/מַחְשְׁבֹתַ֖/י מִ/מַּחְשְׁבֹתֵי/כֶֽם

Hebrew

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In the original Hebrew

7 distinct Hebrew words appear in this verse.

אֶ֣רֶץ
'rts
noun · 2484×
גָּבַ֤הּ
gbh
verb · 34×
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
drk
noun · 709×
כֵ֗ן
kn
adjective · 767×
כִּֽי
ky
pronoun · 4439×
מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת
mchshbvt
noun · 56×
שָּׁמַ֔יִם
shmym
noun · 419×

Historic Christian voices

4 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters. This chapter is a free and universal invitation of the gospel. God offers living water, bread, and wine without money and without price. The everlasting covenant of the sure mercies of David is extended to all peoples. God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts and his ways higher than our ways — the mystery of his grace exc…

Cross-references

  • Eccl 5:2 — Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
  • Eph 3:18 — May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
  • Ezek 1:18 — As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.
  • Job 11:8 — It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?
  • Job 35:5 — Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.
  • John 3:8 — The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
  • Matt 11:25 — At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
  • Prov 25:3 — The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
  • Ps 36:5 — Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
  • Ps 71:19 — Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!
  • Ps 77:19 — Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.
  • Ps 89:2 — For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
  • Ps 103:11 — For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
  • Ps 103:11 — For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
  • Rom 11:31 — Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.