King James Version

What Does Isaiah 49:20 Mean?

Isaiah 49:20 in the King James Version says “The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too stra...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell.”

Isaiah 49:20 · KJV

Context

18

Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.

19

For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away.

20

The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell.

21

Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been?

22

Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. arms: Heb. bosom

Read Isaiah 49 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell. This verse continues the theme of superabundant restoration, now personalizing it through children's voices requesting more space. The phrase "after thou hast lost the other" (acharei shikkulayikh, אַחֲרֵי שִׁכֻּלָיִךְ) references the bereavement of exile when Jerusalem "lost" her children through deportation and death. Yet new children will arrive in such numbers they'll complain of crowding.

The Hebrew tsar (צַר, "strait/narrow") suggests confinement and constraint—a blessed problem of abundance. This paradoxically reverses the Deuteronomic curse where Israel would be "few in number" (Deuteronomy 28:62). Instead, covenant blessing prevails: "The LORD shall make thee plenteous" (Deuteronomy 28:11). The children's request, "give place to me that I may dwell," assumes entitlement to inheritance, reflecting covenantal belonging.

From a Reformed perspective, this prophesies the Gentile ingathering into God's family. Paul explains in Romans 11 how wild branches (Gentiles) are grafted into Israel's root, expanding God's people beyond ethnic boundaries. The church's exponential growth fulfills this—barren Zion becomes mother of multitudes through the gospel. Galatians 4:27 explicitly applies this promise to the church: "the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband."

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Historical & Cultural Context

The imagery of lost children resonates with exile realities. Lamentations 1:5 mourns, "her children are gone into captivity before the enemy." Families were separated, children died from violence, famine, and disease (Lamentations 2:11-12, 4:4). The promise of replacement children offered hope that loss would not be final.

Initially fulfilled through post-exilic population growth, the prophecy's greater fulfillment came through the church. Acts records rapid expansion creating logistical challenges—food distribution (Acts 6:1), meeting space (they outgrew the temple courts), geographical spread (persecution scattered believers, Acts 8:1). Church history shows continuous expansion from Jerusalem to Rome to global Christianity, demonstrating God's promise of too many children for the space available.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the inclusion of Gentiles in God's family demonstrate His abundant grace?
  2. What attitudes toward "newcomers" in the church does this verse challenge?
  3. How might your church better accommodate the "space" needs of growing faith communities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
ע֚וֹד1 of 11
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

יֹאמְר֣וּ2 of 11

“the other shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בְאָזְנַ֔יִךְ3 of 11

“again in thine ears”

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

בְּנֵ֖י4 of 11

“The children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שִׁכֻּלָ֑יִךְ5 of 11

“which thou shalt have after thou hast lost”

H7923

childlessness (by continued bereavements)

צַר6 of 11

“is too strait”

H6862

a pebble (as in h6864)

לִ֥י7 of 11
H0
הַמָּק֖וֹם8 of 11

“The place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

גְּשָׁה9 of 11

“for me give”

H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

לִּ֥י10 of 11
H0
וְאֵשֵֽׁבָה׃11 of 11

“to me that I may dwell”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

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 49:20 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 49:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hosea 1:10Galatians 4:26-28Isaiah 60:4Matthew 3:9Joshua 17:14-16Isaiah 51:3

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Isaiah 49 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterIsaiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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