Isaiahchapter 54

17 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 289 cross-references outward and receives 357 — heaviest partner: Isaiah.

Chapter summary

Barren and once-forsaken, Zion is told to sing and enlarge her tent, for her children will outnumber the married wife's and her seed will possess nations and repopulate desolate cities. Her Maker is her husband — Jehovah of hosts, the Holy One of Israel, her Redeemer — who forsook her for a small moment but gathers her with everlasting lovingkindness. The oath parallels the waters of Noah: as those waters will not again cover the earth, so his wrath is sworn away; mountains may depart, but his covenant of peace will not be removed. The storm-tossed city is rebuilt in jewels — foundations of sapphires, pinnacles of rubies, gates of carbuncles — her children all taught of Jehovah, established in righteousness far from oppression and terror. Because Jehovah created the smith who forges every weapon, no weapon formed against her prospers, and every accusing tongue is condemned: this is the heritage of the servants of Jehovah.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Prophecy · Isaiah — see the Isaiah overview for the book's full setting.

1 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith Jehovah.

2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations; spare not: lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes.

3 For thou shalt spread abroad on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall possess the nations, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth; and the reproach of thy widowhood shalt thou remember no more.

5 For thy Maker is thy husband; Jehovah of hosts is his name: and the Holy One of Israel is thy Redeemer; the God of the whole earth shall he be called.

6 For Jehovah hath called thee as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, even a wife of youth, when she is cast off, saith thy God.

7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.

8 In overflowing wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting lovingkindness will I have mercy on thee, saith Jehovah thy Redeemer.

9 For this isasthe waters of Noah unto me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I will not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.