1 The Hebrew term הוֹי (hoy, “woe, ah”) was used in funeral laments and is often prefixed to judgment oracles for rhetorical effect. But here it appears to be a simple interjection, designed to grab the audience’s attention. Perhaps there is a note of sorrow or pity. See 223
2 The statement is an oxymoron. Its ironic quality adds to its rhetorical impact. The statement reminds one of the norm (one must normally buy commodities) as it expresses the astounding offer. One might paraphrase the statement: “Come and take freely what you normally have to pay for.”
3 Heb “for what is not food.”
4 The interrogative particle and the verb “spend” are understood here by ellipsis (note the preceding line).
5 Heb “your labor,” which stands by metonymy for that which one earns.
6 The infinitive absolute follows the imperative and lends emphasis to the exhortation.
7 Heb “good” (so , , ).
8 Heb “Let your appetite delight in fine food.” 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).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

“Come, everyone who thirsts,

come to the waters;

and he who has no money,

come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk

without money and without price.

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,

and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,

and delight yourselves in rich food.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“Come, all you who are thirsty,

come to the waters;

and you who have no money,

come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk

without money and without cost.

Why spend money on what is not bread,

and your labor on what does not satisfy?

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,

and you will delight in the richest of fare.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

“Come, everyone who is thirsty,

come to the water;

and you without silver,

come, buy, and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk

without silver and without cost!

Why do you spend silver on what is not food,

and your wages on what does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,

and you will enjoy the choicest of foods.

NLTNew Living Translation

“Is anyone thirsty?

Come and drink—

even if you have no money!

Come, take your choice of wine or milk—

it’s all free!

Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?

Why pay for food that does you no good?

Listen to me, and you will eat what is good.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

“Ho! Everyone thirsty, come to the waters!

And whoever has no money, come, buy and eat,

and come, buy without money,

wine and milk without price!

Why do you weigh out money for what is not food,

and your labor for what cannot satisfy?

Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,

and let your soul take pleasure in rich food.

KJV 1900King James Version

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters,

And he that hath no money;

Come ye, buy, and eat;

Yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread?

And your labour for that which satisfieth not?

Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good,

And let your soul delight itself in fatness.

Public Domain