Isaiah 65:1
New International Version
“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’

New Living Translation
The LORD says, “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!’ to a nation that did not call on my name.

English Standard Version
I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here I am, here I am,” to a nation that was not called by my name.

Berean Standard Bible
“I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. To a nation that did not call My name, I said, ‘Here I am! Here I am!’

King James Bible
I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.

New King James Version
“I was sought by those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’ To a nation that was not called by My name.

New American Standard Bible
“I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’ To a nation which did not call on My name.

NASB 1995
“I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’ To a nation which did not call on My name.

NASB 1977
“I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’ To a nation which did not call on My name.

Legacy Standard Bible
“I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’ To a nation which did not call on My name.

Amplified Bible
“I let Myself be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I let Myself be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’ To the nation [Israel] which did not call on My Name.

Christian Standard Bible
“I was sought by those who did not ask; I was found by those who did not seek me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’ to a nation that did not call on my name.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I was sought by those who did not ask; I was found by those who did not seek Me. I said: Here I am, here I am, to a nation that was not called by My name.

American Standard Version
I am inquired of by them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.

Contemporary English Version
I, the LORD, was ready to answer even those who were not asking and to be found by those who were not searching. To a nation that refused to worship me, I said, "Here I am!"

English Revised Version
I AM inquired of by them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I was ready to answer those who didn't ask. I was found by those who weren't looking for me. I said, "Here I am! Here I am!" to a nation that didn't worship me.

Good News Translation
The LORD said, "I was ready to answer my people's prayers, but they did not pray. I was ready for them to find me, but they did not even try. The nation did not pray to me, even though I was always ready to answer, 'Here I am; I will help you.'

International Standard Version
"I let myself be sought by those who didn't ask for me; I let myself be found by those who didn't seek me. I said, 'Here I am! Here I am!' to a nation that didn't call on my name.

Majority Standard Bible
?I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. To a nation that did not call My name, I said, ?Here I am! Here I am!?

NET Bible
"I made myself available to those who did not ask for me; I appeared to those who did not look for me. I said, 'Here I am! Here I am!' to a nation that did not invoke my name.

New Heart English Bible
"I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me. I was found by those who did not seek me. I said, 'Here I am. Here I am.' to a nation that did not call on my name.

Webster's Bible Translation
I am sought by them that asked not for me; I am found by them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, to a nation that was not called by my name.

World English Bible
“I am inquired of by those who didn’t ask. I am found by those who didn’t seek me. I said, ‘See me, see me,’ to a nation that was not called by my name.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“I have been inquired of by those who did not ask, "" I have been found by those who did not seek Me, "" I have said, Behold Me, behold Me, "" To a nation not calling on My Name.

Young's Literal Translation
I have been inquired of by those who asked not, I have been found by those who sought Me not, I have said, 'Behold Me, behold Me,' Unto a nation not calling in My name.

Smith's Literal Translation
I was sought by them they asked not; I was found by them not seeking me: I said, Behold me, behold me, to a nation not calling upon my name.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
THEY have sought me that before asked not for me, they have found me that sought me not. I said: Behold me, behold me, to a nation that did not call upon my name.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Those who before were not asking for me have sought me. Those who have not sought me have found me. I said, “Behold, it is I! Behold, it is I!” to a nation which was not invoking my name.

New American Bible
I was ready to respond to those who did not ask, to be found by those who did not seek me. I said: Here I am! Here I am! To a nation that did not invoke my name.

New Revised Standard Version
I was ready to be sought out by those who did not ask, to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here I am, here I am,” to a nation that did not call on my name.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I AM sought of those who did not ask for me; I am found of those who sought me not; I said, Here am I, here am I, to a nation that has never called my name.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I am desired by those who have not asked for me, and I was found by those who did not seek for me. I have said: “Here I am, here I am!”, to the people who did not call my name
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I gave access to them that asked not for Me, I was at hand to them that sought Me not; I said: 'Behold Me, behold Me', Unto a nation that was not called by My name.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I became manifest to them that asked not for me; I was found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold, I am here, to a nation, who called not on my name.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judgments and Promises
1“I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. To a nation that did not call My name, I said, ‘Here I am! Here I am!’ 2All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations,…

Cross References
Romans 10:20
And Isaiah boldly says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me.”

Deuteronomy 32:21
They have provoked My jealousy by that which is not God; they have enraged Me with their worthless idols. So I will make them jealous by those who are not a people; I will make them angry by a nation without understanding.

Hosea 1:10
Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And it will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’

Hosea 2:23
And I will sow her as My own in the land, and I will have compassion on ‘No Compassion.’ I will say to those called ‘Not My People,’ ‘You are My people,’ and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”

Matthew 21:43
Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

1 Peter 2:10
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Isaiah 55:6
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.

Isaiah 66:18
“And I, knowing their deeds and thoughts, am coming to gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see My glory.

Jeremiah 29:13-14
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. / I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore you from captivity and gather you from all the nations and places to which I have banished you, declares the LORD. I will restore you to the place from which I sent you into exile.”

Acts 13:46-47
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. / For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

Isaiah 45:22
Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.

Isaiah 49:6
He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Isaiah 63:19
We have become like those You never ruled, like those not called by Your name.

Ezekiel 2:3-5
“Son of man,” He said to me, “I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me. To this very day they and their fathers have rebelled against Me. / They are obstinate and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you are to say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ / And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.

Malachi 1:11
For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts.


Treasury of Scripture

I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, to a nation that was not called by my name.

I am sought

Isaiah 2:2,3
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it…

Isaiah 11:10
And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

Isaiah 55:5
Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

behold

Isaiah 40:9
O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

Isaiah 41:27
The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings.

Isaiah 45:22
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

unto

Isaiah 43:1
But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

Isaiah 63:19
We are thine: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.

Hosea 1:10
Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.

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Isaiah 65
1. The calling of the Gentiles,
2. and the rejection of the Jews, for their incredulity, idolatry, and hypocrisy
8. A remnant shall be saved
11. Judgments on the wicked, and blessings on the godly
17. The blessed state of the new Jerusalem














I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me;
This phrase highlights God's initiative in reaching out to people who were not actively seeking Him. It reflects the grace and sovereignty of God, who chooses to reveal Himself even to those who are indifferent or unaware of their need for Him. This can be seen as a foreshadowing of the inclusion of the Gentiles into the covenant community, as Paul references in Romans 10:20, where he applies this verse to the Gentiles' acceptance of the Gospel. Historically, Israel often turned away from God, yet He continually reached out to them, demonstrating His patience and desire for reconciliation.

I was found by those who did not seek Me.
This phrase emphasizes the unexpected nature of God's revelation. It suggests that God's presence and truth can be discovered by those who are not actively searching for Him, indicating His omnipresence and the universal scope of His salvation plan. This can be connected to the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:4-7, where the shepherd seeks out the lost sheep, symbolizing God's pursuit of those who are lost. It also reflects the idea that God's grace is not limited by human effort or merit.

To a nation that did not call My name,
Here, the "nation" can be understood as a reference to the Gentiles, who were historically outside the covenant relationship with God that Israel enjoyed. This phrase underscores the theme of God's grace extending beyond the boundaries of Israel to include all nations. It aligns with the prophetic vision of a future where all nations will come to worship the God of Israel, as seen in Isaiah 2:2-4. This expansion of God's covenant is fulfilled in the New Testament through the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

I said, ‘Here I am! Here I am!’
This repetition emphasizes God's eagerness and readiness to be found by those who are willing to respond to His call. It reflects God's persistent invitation to relationship and His desire to be known by all people. The phrase "Here I am" echoes God's self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:14, where He declares His eternal presence and faithfulness. It also points to the incarnation of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate revelation of God to humanity, as stated in John 1:14, where the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God (Yahweh)
The speaker in this verse, revealing His initiative in reaching out to people who were not actively seeking Him.

2. The Nation of Israel
Historically, the primary audience of Isaiah's prophecies, often characterized by their disobedience and idolatry.

3. Gentiles
By extension, this verse is seen as a prophetic reference to the inclusion of the Gentiles, who were not originally seeking the God of Israel.

4. Isaiah
The prophet through whom God delivers this message, serving as a mouthpiece for divine revelation.

5. The Event of Revelation
God's self-disclosure to those who were not actively pursuing Him, highlighting His grace and initiative.
Teaching Points
Divine Initiative
God takes the first step in revealing Himself to humanity, demonstrating His grace and desire for relationship.

Grace to the Unworthy
This verse highlights God's grace in reaching out to those who are not seeking Him, reminding us of the unmerited favor we receive.

Universal Call
God's revelation is not limited to a specific group; it extends to all nations, emphasizing the inclusivity of the Gospel.

Response to God's Call
While God reveals Himself, there is an implied call to respond. We must be attentive and open to His presence and invitation.

Evangelistic Encouragement
As believers, we are encouraged to share the Gospel, knowing that God is already at work in the hearts of those who may not yet be seeking Him.LXV.

(1) I am sought of them . . .--Is this the answer to the previous prayer? Most commentators say "Yes;" but there is, at least, an apparent absence of continuous sequence. A more probable view is that it was written after an interval more or less considerable, and that the prophet utters what had been revealed to him as explaining why the plaintive appeal of Isaiah 64:12 did not meet at once with the answer that might have been looked for.

A further question meets us, which has received different answers. Do the opening words speak, as St. Paul implies they do, of the calling of the Gentiles, contrasting their faith with the unbelief of Israel (Romans 10:20)? Taking the text as it stands, the most natural interpretation (there being no reference afterwards to the Gentiles) seems to be that Jehovah speaks to the same people in Isaiah 65:1-2, and that both alike speak of indifference and hardness. On this view the words may be translated, I was ready to answer those who did not enquire, was nigh at hand to be discovered by those who did not seek. . . . Such words were a true description of the state of Israel, as they have been of Christian Churches since, and are in close agreement with what follows. On this view St. Paul's free use of the LXX. rendering must be looked on as analogous to the like application of Hosea 1:10; Hosea 2:1, by him (Romans 9:25-26) and by St. Peter (1Peter 2:10), though in these instances it is beyond question that the words primarily referred to the Jews, and not to the Gentiles. . . .

Verses 1-7. - ISRAEL'S SUFFERINGS THE JUST MEED OF THEIR SINS. God's mercy is such that it even overflows upon those who are outside the covenant (ver. 1). It has been offered to Israel, but Israel has rejected it. Their rebellion, their idolatries, and their pride have caused, and must continue to cause, their punishment (vers. 2-7). Verse 1. - I am sought; rather, inquired of, or consulted (comp. Ezekiel 14:3; Ezekiel 20:3, 31). The application of the text by St. Paul (Romans 10:20) to the calling of the Gentiles will be felt by all believers in inspiration to preclude the interpretation which supposes Israel to be the subject of ver. 1 no less than of vers. 2-7. I said, Behold me. This was the first step in the conversion of the Gentiles. God called them by his messengers, the apostles and evangelists. A nation that was not called by thy Name (so Gesenius, Delitzsch, Kay, and others). Bishop Lowth, Ewald, Diestel, and Mr. Cheyne, following the Septuagint and other ancient versions, render, "a nation that has not called upon thy Name." But this requires an alteration of the vowel-points, which seems unnecessary.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“I revealed Myself
נִדְרַ֙שְׁתִּי֙ (niḏ·raš·tî)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship

to those who did not
לְל֣וֹא (lə·lō·w)
Preposition-l | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

ask for Me;
שָׁאָ֔לוּ (šā·’ā·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

I was found
נִמְצֵ֖אתִי (nim·ṣê·ṯî)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

by those who did not
לְלֹ֣א (lə·lō)
Preposition-l | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

seek Me.
בִקְשֻׁ֑נִי (ḇiq·šu·nî)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

I said,
אָמַ֙רְתִּי֙ (’ā·mar·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Here I am!
הִנֵּ֣נִי (hin·nê·nî)
Interjection | first person common singular
Strong's 2005: Lo! behold!

Here I am!’
הִנֵּ֔נִי (hin·nê·nî)
Interjection | first person common singular
Strong's 2005: Lo! behold!

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

a nation
גּ֖וֹי (gō·w)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

that did not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

call
קֹרָ֥א (qō·rā)
Verb - Pual - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

My name.
בִשְׁמִֽי׃ (ḇiš·mî)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8034: A name


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 65:1 I am inquired of by those who (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 64:12
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