King James Version

What Does Isaiah 26:15 Mean?

Isaiah 26:15 in the King James Version says “Thou hast increased the nation, O LORD, thou hast increased the nation: thou art glorified: thou hadst removed it far un...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thou hast increased the nation, O LORD, thou hast increased the nation: thou art glorified: thou hadst removed it far unto all the ends of the earth.”

Isaiah 26:15 · KJV

Context

13

O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name.

14

They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.

15

Thou hast increased the nation, O LORD, thou hast increased the nation: thou art glorified: thou hadst removed it far unto all the ends of the earth.

16

LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them. prayer: Heb. secret speech

17

Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD.

Read Isaiah 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou hast increased the nation, O LORD, thou hast increased the nation: thou art glorified (יָסַפְתָּ לַגּוֹי יְהוָה יָסַפְתָּ לַגּוֹי נִכְבָּדְתָּ / yasafta lagoy YHWH yasafta lagoy nikbadta)—The verb יָסַף (yasaf, "to add, increase") appears twice for emphasis. After judgment purges the wicked (v. 14), God enlarges His people. The passive נִכְבָּד (nikhbad, "you are glorified") shows that national restoration brings glory to God, not the nation. This anticipates the ingathering of Gentiles into God's people (Isaiah 2:2-4, 49:6, 56:6-8).

Thou hadst removed it far unto all the ends of the earth (רִחַקְתָּ כָּל־קַצְוֵי־אָרֶץ / richaqta kol-qatsvey-aretz)—The verb רָחַק (rachaq, "to be far, removed") refers to exile and diaspora. God scattered Israel to earth's ends in judgment, yet this same dispersion becomes the means of worldwide witness and eventual regathering. The paradox: divine judgment becomes the instrument of global redemption.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy looked beyond the Assyrian threat to Babylonian exile (586 BC) and the wider Jewish diaspora. After 70 AD, Jewish dispersion became global. Yet Isaiah envisions this scattering reversed—God increasing the nation and gathering exiles. The New Testament sees fulfillment in the church: Jews and Gentiles united in Messiah, God's people multiplied to earth's ends. Paul cites Isaiah extensively in Romans 9-11 to explain how Israel's temporary hardening facilitates Gentile inclusion, leading to Israel's eventual restoration.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God use even scattering and exile to accomplish His purposes of glorifying Himself and expanding His people?
  2. In what ways has God 'increased the nation' through the church, incorporating Gentiles into Abraham's spiritual family?
  3. How should knowing that God's glory is the ultimate purpose of national/church growth shape our evangelism and mission?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
יָסַ֥פְתָּ1 of 10

“Thou hast increased”

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

לַגּ֖וֹי2 of 10

“the nation”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

יְהוָ֔ה3 of 10

“O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

יָסַ֥פְתָּ4 of 10

“Thou hast increased”

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

לַגּ֖וֹי5 of 10

“the nation”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

נִכְבָּ֑דְתָּ6 of 10

“thou art glorified”

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

רִחַ֖קְתָּ7 of 10

“thou hadst removed it far”

H7368

to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)

כָּל8 of 10
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

קַצְוֵי9 of 10

“unto all the ends”

H7099

a limit

אָֽרֶץ׃10 of 10

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 26:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 26:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 9:3John 12:23-28Isaiah 54:2-3Jeremiah 32:37John 15:8John 17:1

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