Discovery BoxIsaiah 34:16 
Context34:16 Carefully read the scroll of the Lord! 1
Not one of these creatures will be missing, 2
none will lack a mate. 3
For the Lord has issued the decree, 4
and his own spirit gathers them. 5
Isaiah 55:2
Context55:2 Why pay money for something that will not nourish you? 6
Why spend 7 your hard-earned money 8 on something that will not satisfy?
Listen carefully 9 to me and eat what is nourishing! 10
Enjoy fine food! 11
1 tn Heb “Seek from upon the scroll of the Lord and read.”
sn It is uncertain what particular scroll is referred to here. Perhaps the phrase simply refers to this prophecy and is an admonition to pay close attention to the details of the message.
2 tn Heb “one from these will not be missing.” הֵנָּה (hennah, “these”) is feminine plural in the Hebrew text. It may refer only to the birds mentioned in v. 15b or may include all of the creatures listed in vv. 14b-15 (all of which are identified with feminine nouns).
3 tn Heb “each its mate they will not lack.”
4 tc The Hebrew text reads literally, “for a mouth, it has commanded.” The Qumran scroll 1QIsaa and a few medieval
5 tn Heb “and his spirit, he gathers them.” The pronominal suffix (“them”) is feminine plural, referring to the birds mentioned in v. 15b or to all of the creatures listed in vv. 14b-15 (all of which are identified with feminine nouns).
6 tn Heb “for what is not food.”
7 tn The interrogative particle and the verb “spend” are understood here by ellipsis (note the preceding line).
8 tn Heb “your labor,” which stands by metonymy for that which one earns.
9 tn The infinitive absolute follows the imperative and lends emphasis to the exhortation.
10 tn Heb “good” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV).
11 tn Heb “Let your appetite delight in fine food.”
sn Nourishing, fine food here represents the blessings God freely offers. These include forgiveness, a new covenantal relationship with God, and national prominence (see vv. 3-6).
