King James Version

What Does Isaiah 61:3 Mean?

Isaiah 61:3 in the King James Version says “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 61 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”

Isaiah 61:3 · KJV

JoyHoly Spirit

Context

1

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted , to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

2

To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

3

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

4

And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

5

And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.

Read Isaiah 61 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Continuing Christ's mission statement, God promises to provide specific remedies: "To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." Three exchanges demonstrate complete transformation. "Beauty for ashes" (peer tachat epher)—the Hebrew peer means a headdress or turban, replacing the ashes of mourning (Job 42:6, Daniel 9:3). "Oil of joy for mourning"—anointing oil symbolized gladness and festivity (Psalm 23:5, 45:7), replacing grief. "Garment of praise for spirit of heaviness"—clothing represents one's outward expression, replacing despair (ruach kehah—dimmed, faint spirit) with praise. The result: "that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." The Hebrew elei hatsedek (oaks/trees of righteousness) pictures strength, stability, and flourishing (Psalm 1:3, 92:12-14). From a Reformed perspective, this describes the regenerate believer's transformation. Christ exchanges our sin for His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21), our sorrow for His joy (John 15:11, 16:22), our despair for praise. We become living monuments to God's transforming grace, planted by Him, rooted in righteousness, existing for His glory.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The post-exilic community mourned their diminished circumstances—the modest temple, foreign domination, economic hardship. God promised transformation beyond their imagination. Jesus' ministry began fulfilling this—turning water to wine (John 2:1-11, symbolic of transformation), healing the sick, comforting the mourning. The church experiences ongoing fulfillment as the gospel transforms broken lives into fruitful believers. Complete fulfillment awaits the consummated kingdom where all mourning ends forever (Revelation 21:4) and we stand perfected for God's glory (Jude 24-25).

Reflection Questions

  1. How have you personally experienced Christ's exchange of beauty for ashes in your life?
  2. What does it mean to be 'trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD'?
  3. How does your transformation serve the purpose of glorifying God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
לָשׂ֣וּם׀1 of 24

“To appoint”

H7760

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

לַאֲבֵלֵ֣י2 of 24

“unto them that mourn”

H57

lamenting

צִיּ֗וֹן3 of 24

“in Zion”

H6726

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

לָתֵת֩4 of 24

“to give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָהֶ֨ם5 of 24
H0
פְּאֵ֜ר6 of 24

“unto them beauty”

H6287

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

תַּ֣חַת7 of 24
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

אֵ֗פֶר8 of 24

“for ashes”

H665

ashes

שֶׁ֤מֶן9 of 24

“the oil”

H8081

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

שָׂשׂוֹן֙10 of 24

“of joy”

H8342

cheerfulness; specifically, welcome

תַּ֣חַת11 of 24
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

אֵ֔בֶל12 of 24

“for mourning”

H60

lamentation

מַעֲטֵ֣ה13 of 24

“the garment”

H4594

a vestment

תְהִלָּ֔ה14 of 24

“of praise”

H8416

laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn

תַּ֖חַת15 of 24
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

ר֣וּחַ16 of 24

“for the spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

כֵּהָ֑ה17 of 24

“of heaviness”

H3544

feeble, obscure

וְקֹרָ֤א18 of 24

“that they might be called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לָהֶם֙19 of 24
H0
אֵילֵ֣י20 of 24

“trees”

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

הַצֶּ֔דֶק21 of 24

“of righteousness”

H6664

the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity

מַטַּ֥ע22 of 24

“the planting”

H4302

something planted, i.e., the place (a garden or vineyard), or the thing (a plant, figuratively or men); by implication, the act, planting

יְהוָ֖ה23 of 24

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

לְהִתְפָּאֵֽר׃24 of 24

“that he might be glorified”

H6286

to gleam, i.e., (causatively) embellish; figuratively, to boast; also to explain (i.e., make clear) oneself; to shake a tree

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 61:3 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 61:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 30:11Jeremiah 17:7-8John 16:20Isaiah 61:10Psalms 45:7Ecclesiastes 9:8

Places in This Verse

ZionSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E148 verses across 19 books
View all places in Isaiah 61 →

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