King James Version

What Does Isaiah 26:19 Mean?

Isaiah 26:19 in the King James Version says “Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.”

Isaiah 26:19 · KJV

Context

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.

18

We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.

19

Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

20

Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

21

For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. blood: Heb. bloods

Read Isaiah 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise (יִחְיוּ מֵתֶיךָ נְבֵלָתִי יְקוּמוּן / yichyu metekha nevelati yequmun)—This is the Old Testament's clearest resurrection promise before Daniel 12:2. The verbs חָיָה (chayah, "to live") and קוּם (qum, "to arise, stand up") declare bodily resurrection, not mere spiritual immortality. נְבֵלָה (nevelah, "corpse, dead body") emphasizes physical death reversed. The possessive pronouns ("thy dead...my dead body") express intimate covenant relationship—God's people belong to Him even in death.

Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust (הָקִיצוּ וְרַנְּנוּ שֹׁכְנֵי עָפָר / haqitzu verannenu shokhney afar)—קִיץ (qitz, "to awake") portrays death as sleep, resurrection as awakening (Daniel 12:2, John 11:11-14, 1 Thessalonians 4:14). רָנַן (ranan, "to sing, shout for joy") shows resurrection not as grim reanimation but glorious celebration. Contrast v. 14—the wicked dead remain in dust; believers arise from dust to sing.

For thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead (כִּי טַל אוֹרֹת טַלֶּךָ וָאָרֶץ רְפָאִים תַּפִּיל / ki tal orot taleka va'aretz refa'im tappil)—טַל (tal, "dew") symbolizes life-giving divine presence. The phrase טַל אוֹרֹת (tal orot, "dew of lights") is unique, possibly meaning "dew of dawn" or "dew of the luminaries," suggesting resurrection's radiance. The earth 'giving birth to' (תַּפִּיל / tappil) the dead reverses Genesis 3:19 ("dust you shall return"). Creation itself participates in resurrection.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Written around 700 BC, this predates Greek philosophical notions of afterlife and clearly differs from Egyptian conceptions. Israel's resurrection hope was rooted in YHWH's covenant faithfulness and power as Creator. By Jesus's time, Pharisees affirmed resurrection while Sadducees denied it (Matthew 22:23-33). Jesus cited the Pentateuch to prove resurrection but could have quoted Isaiah 26:19. Paul develops resurrection theology extensively (1 Corinthians 15), and Hebrews 11:35 may allude to this passage. The New Testament sees Christ's resurrection as 'firstfruits' (1 Corinthians 15:20), guaranteeing believers' future resurrection.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the promise that 'thy dead shall live' provide comfort in grief and hope in mortality?
  2. What does the command to 'awake and sing' teach about the nature of resurrection—joyful, bodily, celebratory?
  3. How should belief in bodily resurrection shape how we view our bodies, suffering, and death today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
יִֽחְי֣וּ1 of 15

“men shall live”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

מֵתֶ֔יךָ2 of 15

“Thy dead”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

נְבֵלָתִ֖י3 of 15

“together with my dead body”

H5038

a flabby thing, i.e., a carcase or carrion (human or bestial, often collectively); figuratively, an idol

יְקוּמ֑וּן4 of 15

“shall they arise”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

הָקִ֨יצוּ5 of 15

“Awake”

H6974

to awake (literally or figuratively)

וְרַנְּנ֜וּ6 of 15

“and sing”

H7442

properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e., to shout (usually for joy)

שֹׁכְנֵ֣י7 of 15

“ye that dwell”

H7931

to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)

עָפָ֗ר8 of 15

“in dust”

H6083

dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud

כִּ֣י9 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

טַלֶּ֔ךָ10 of 15

“for thy dew”

H2919

dew (as covering vegetation)

אוֹרֹת֙11 of 15

“of herbs”

H219

luminousness, i.e., (figuratively) prosperity; also a plant (as being bright)

טַלֶּ֔ךָ12 of 15

“for thy dew”

H2919

dew (as covering vegetation)

וָאָ֖רֶץ13 of 15

“and the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

רְפָאִ֥ים14 of 15

“the dead”

H7496

properly, lax, i.e., (figuratively) a ghost (as dead; in plural only)

תַּפִּֽיל׃15 of 15

“shall cast out”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

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 26:19 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 26:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 12:2Ezekiel 37:1-14Matthew 27:52Ephesians 5:14Hosea 13:14Psalms 71:20

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