King James Version

What Does Isaiah 61:10 Mean?

Isaiah 61:10 in the King James Version says “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salva... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 61 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. decketh: Heb. decketh as a priest

Isaiah 61:10 · KJV


Context

8

For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

9

And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.

10

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. decketh: Heb. decketh as a priest

11

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The exclamation 'I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God' expresses exuberant worship arising from experienced salvation. The reason: 'he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.' This imagery depicts imputed righteousness - God clothes naked sinners with Christ's perfect righteousness. The bridal language (bridegroom/bride) celebrates covenant union.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This anticipates the gospel of justification by faith - believers wear Christ's righteousness, not their own filthy rags (64:6). The bridal imagery finds fulfillment in Revelation 19:7-8 where church wears 'fine linen, clean and white...the righteousness of saints.'

Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing you're clothed in Christ's righteousness (not your own) produce genuine rejoicing?
  2. What does it mean to be dressed as a bride for her wedding - how does this depict your relationship with Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
אָשִׂ֣ישׂ1 of 19

I will greatly

H7797

to be bright, i.e., cheerful

אָשִׂ֣ישׂ2 of 19

I will greatly

H7797

to be bright, i.e., cheerful

בַּֽיהוָ֗ה3 of 19

in the LORD

H3068

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

תָּגֵ֤ל4 of 19

shall be joyful

H1523

properly, to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion), i.e., usually rejoice, or (as cringing) fear

נַפְשִׁי֙5 of 19

my soul

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

בֵּֽאלֹהַ֔י6 of 19

in my God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

כִּ֤י7 of 19
H3588

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

הִלְבִּישַׁ֙נִי֙8 of 19

for he hath clothed

H3847

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

בִּגְדֵי9 of 19

me with the garments

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

יֶ֔שַׁע10 of 19

of salvation

H3468

liberty, deliverance, prosperity

מְעִ֥יל11 of 19

me with the robe

H4598

a robe (i.e., upper and outer garment)

צְדָקָ֖ה12 of 19

of righteousness

H6666

rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)

יְעָטָ֑נִי13 of 19

he hath covered

H3271

to clothe

כֶּֽחָתָן֙14 of 19

as a bridegroom

H2860

a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a circumcised child (as a species of religious espousal)

יְכַהֵ֣ן15 of 19

decketh

H3547

to officiate as a priest; figuratively, to put on regalia

פְּאֵ֔ר16 of 19

himself with ornaments

H6287

an embellishment, i.e., fancy head-dress

וְכַכַּלָּ֖ה17 of 19

and as a bride

H3618

a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife

תַּעְדֶּ֥ה18 of 19

adorneth

H5710

to advance, i.e., pass on or continue; causatively, to remove; specifically, to bedeck (i.e., bring an ornament upon)

כֵלֶֽיהָ׃19 of 19

herself with her jewels

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)


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 61:10 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 61:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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