King James Version

What Does Isaiah 51:3 Mean?

Isaiah 51:3 in the King James Version says “For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and he... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 51 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

Isaiah 51:3 · KJV


Context

1

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.

2

Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.

3

For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

4

Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.

5

My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The promise to 'make her wilderness like Eden' depicts comprehensive restoration reversing judgment. Eden imagery connects creation and new creation - God's redemptive work restores pre-fall paradise. The progression from wilderness/desert to garden shows grace's transforming power. The 'joy and gladness, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody' describe worship arising from experienced redemption, anticipating Revelation 21's new creation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon's fall and Israel's return began fulfilling this, but complete fulfillment awaits Christ's return. The wilderness-to-Eden transformation applies personally (regeneration), corporately (church growth), and cosmically (new heavens and earth).

Reflection Questions

  1. What spiritual 'wildernesses' in your life has God transformed into garden-like abundance?
  2. How does the promise of new creation (wilderness becoming Eden) give hope for present struggles?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
כִּֽי1 of 20
H3588

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

נִחַם֙2 of 20

he will comfort

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

יְהוָ֑ה3 of 20

For the LORD

H3068

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

צִיּ֗וֹן4 of 20

Zion

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

נִחַם֙5 of 20

he will comfort

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

כָּל6 of 20
H3605

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

חָרְבֹתֶ֔יהָ7 of 20

all her waste places

H2723

properly, drought, i.e., (by implication) a desolation

וַיָּ֤שֶׂם8 of 20

and he will make

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

מִדְבָּרָהּ֙9 of 20

her wilderness

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

כְּעֵ֔דֶן10 of 20

like Eden

H5731

eden, the region of adam's home

וְעַרְבָתָ֖הּ11 of 20

and her desert

H6160

a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea

כְּגַן12 of 20

like the garden

H1588

a garden (as fenced)

יְהוָ֑ה13 of 20

For the LORD

H3068

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

שָׂשׂ֤וֹן14 of 20

joy

H8342

cheerfulness; specifically, welcome

וְשִׂמְחָה֙15 of 20

and gladness

H8057

blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)

יִמָּ֣צֵא16 of 20

shall be found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

בָ֔הּ17 of 20
H0
תּוֹדָ֖ה18 of 20

therein thanksgiving

H8426

properly, an extension of the hand, i.e., (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration; specifically, a choir of worshippers

וְק֥וֹל19 of 20

and the voice

H6963

a voice or sound

זִמְרָֽה׃20 of 20

of melody

H2172

a musical piece or song to be accompanied by an instrument


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 51:3 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 51:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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