What Does Isaiah 65:13 Mean in the King James?

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:

Isaiah 65:13 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The repeated “my servants” makes belonging visible in the body: eating, drinking, and rejoicing stand opposite hunger, thirst, and shame.

THE MEANING

The verse speaks now through a stark contrast: life in the LORD’s service is pictured as nourishment and joy, while the opposing life is pictured as hunger, thirst, and shame. Its repeated “behold” sets these conditions before you as concrete realities, reaching body and emotion alike.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that divine care is only inward or abstract: the verse names food, water, and joy as part of the contrast.

THE ROOT

עֲבָדַי

ʿăvādai

GROWS FROM

עבד

ʿ-b-d

To serve, labor, or work.

The Hebrew word for “my servants” grows from the root of serving and working, framing these people through their relationship of service. The verse names that relationship before describing their food, drink, and joy, presenting provision as part of the life they belong to.

ALSO GROWS

ʿāvad: To serve or work.

עָבַד

This verb is the seed behind “servants,” keeping their identity tied to the work and relationship the verse names.

ʿeved: A servant or worker.

עֶבֶד

This noun shares the seed in “my servants,” showing the connection between the person and the act of serving.

ʿavodah: Work or service.

עֲבוֹדָה

This branch names the service itself, making the root’s connection between identity and activity visible.

THE PATTERN

The LORD’s provision turns hunger and grief toward satisfaction and joy.

For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Psalm 107:9 · KJVThe hungry are filled with goodness, echoing Isaiah’s contrast between lack and the servants’ provision.

Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

Luke 6:21 · KJVHunger becomes fullness and weeping becomes laughter, matching Isaiah’s movement from deprivation to rejoicing.

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

Revelation 7:16 · KJVThe promise that hunger and thirst end makes tangible the provision Isaiah sets against lack.

THE THREAD

Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

Psalm 123:2 · KJV

Both verses use ⁨עבד⁩ (ʿ-b-d), the root of serving and servants. Psalm 123 turns the servant’s gaze toward the master’s hand; Isaiah shows the servants eating, drinking, and rejoicing, revealing the provision held in that relationship.

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