Introduction to Isaiah 2:3: An Invitation to Ascend
This verse from Isaiah envisions a universal pilgrimage to Zion where many peoples seek divine instruction. It is one of the most famous passages describing a future when nations voluntarily turn to YHWH. What makes this verse particularly rich grammatically is the frequent use of cohortative and volitional forms, such as נַעֲלֶ֣ה (“let us go up”) and נֵלְכָ֖ה (“let us walk”), which express desire, resolve, and invitation. In this lesson, we explore how these forms function in Hebrew syntax and theology, showing how verbs can encode collective will and eschatological hope.
וְֽהָלְכ֞וּ עַמִּ֣ים רַבִּ֗ים וְאָמְרוּ֙ לְכ֣וּ וְנַעֲלֶ֣ה אֶל־הַר־יְהוָ֗ה אֶל־בֵּית֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יַעֲקֹ֔ב וְיֹרֵ֨נוּ֙ מִדְּרָכָ֔יו וְנֵלְכָ֖ה בְּאֹרְחֹתָ֑יו כִּ֤י מִצִּיֹּון֙ תֵּצֵ֣א תֹורָ֔ה וּדְבַר־יְהוָ֖ה מִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃
Analysis of Volitional and Cohortative Forms
1. לְכוּ – “Come!”
- Imperative masculine plural of ה־ל־ך
This command is a direct exhortation. It opens the speech of the nations and reflects shared urgency. The use of the imperative before a cohortative verb is a typical Biblical Hebrew construction to express collective invitation or resolution.
2. נַעֲלֶ֣ה – “Let us go up”
- 1st person plural cohortative of ע־ל־ה
The cohortative expresses volition or intent, often translated “let us…” This is not just a suggestion—it’s a communal resolve to ascend. The syntax לְכוּ וְנַעֲלֶ֣ה is a classic example of an imperative followed by cohortative, frequently seen in narratives of action and purpose.
3. וְיֹרֵ֨נוּ – “That he may teach us”
- Hiphil imperfect 3ms with 1cp suffix from י־ר־ה: “to instruct, teach”
Though not cohortative, the verb here is part of a purpose/result clause. The nations ascend not only to worship but to be taught. The imperfect with waw in this context expresses expectation or result: “so that he will teach us.”
4. וְנֵלְכָ֖ה – “Let us walk”
- 1st person plural cohortative of ה־ל־ך
Another cohortative verb, reinforcing the theme of active response to divine instruction. Once taught, the nations choose to walk in YHWH’s paths. This echoes the earlier נַעֲלֶ֣ה and completes the motion metaphor: ascent, instruction, obedience.
Cohortatives as a Theological Statement
The repeated use of cohortatives (נַעֲלֶ֣ה, נֵלְכָ֖ה) is more than poetic. It marks the collective volition of the nations—formerly estranged from YHWH—now voluntarily choosing to come, learn, and walk. This is a radical vision: the nations act not under compulsion, but with eager initiative. Hebrew grammar expresses this not with modal particles but through verb form.
Grammar as Eschatology
Isaiah 2:3 demonstrates how cohortative verbs serve theological purposes. The nations’ journey is not only physical but moral and spiritual. The syntax imperative + cohortative + imperfect of result is a grammatical roadmap to redemption. From “come,” to “let us go up,” to “let us walk,” this grammar becomes the language of hope—a call to Zion heard across time and tongues.
