King James Version

What Does Isaiah 62:8 Mean?

Isaiah 62:8 in the King James Version says “The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat fo... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 62 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured: Surely: Heb. If I give, etc

Isaiah 62:8 · KJV


Context

6

I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, make: or, are the LORD's remembrancers

7

And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. rest: Heb. silence

8

The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured: Surely: Heb. If I give, etc

9

But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.

10

Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured.' God swears an oath - the highest guarantee. The 'right hand' and 'arm of strength' represent His power. No more will enemies consume Israel's produce.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This reverses curses for covenant violation (Deuteronomy 28:33, 51). Enemies consuming agricultural produce characterized judgment; restoration means enjoying one's own labor.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's oath provide assurance beyond mere promise?
  2. What does it mean to enjoy the fruit of your labor spiritually?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
נִשְׁבַּ֧ע1 of 20

hath sworn

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

יְהוָ֛ה2 of 20

The LORD

H3068

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

בִּֽימִינ֖וֹ3 of 20

by his right hand

H3225

the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south

וּבִזְר֣וֹעַ4 of 20

and by the arm

H2220

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

עֻזּ֑וֹ5 of 20

of his strength

H5797

strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)

וְאִם6 of 20

Surely I will

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אֶתֵּן֩7 of 20

no more give

H5414

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

אֶת8 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דְּגָנֵ֨ךְ9 of 20

thy corn

H1715

properly, increase, i.e., grain

ע֤וֹד10 of 20
H5750

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

מַֽאֲכָל֙11 of 20

to be meat

H3978

an eatable (including provender, flesh and fruit)

לְאֹ֣יְבַ֔יִךְ12 of 20

for thine enemies

H341

hating; an adversary

וְאִם13 of 20

Surely I will

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יִשְׁתּ֤וּ14 of 20

shall not drink

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

בְנֵֽי15 of 20

and the sons

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

נֵכָר֙16 of 20

of the stranger

H5236

foreign, or (concretely) a foreigner, or (abstractly) heathendom

תִּֽירוֹשֵׁ֔ךְ17 of 20

thy wine

H8492

must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine

אֲשֶׁ֥ר18 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָגַ֖עַתְּ19 of 20

for the which thou hast laboured

H3021

properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil

בּֽוֹ׃20 of 20
H0

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 62:8 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 62:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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