Isaiah 35 10

Isaiah 35:10 kjv

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 35:10 nkjv

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 35:10 niv

and those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Isaiah 35:10 esv

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 35:10 nlt

Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return.
They will enter Jerusalem singing,
crowned with everlasting joy.
Sorrow and mourning will disappear,
and they will be filled with joy and gladness.

Isaiah 35 verses

Isaiah 35 10 Meaning

Isaiah 35:10 describes the eternal redemption and joy of the people whom the Lord has redeemed. It paints a picture of ultimate, unfading happiness and sorrow's complete absence in the renewed creation.

Isaiah 35 10 Context

Isaiah 35 serves as a powerful vision of future restoration and hope. It contrasts the desolation and hardship of exile and present suffering with a glorious depiction of the land transformed by God's presence. This chapter announces a new era of spiritual and physical renewal, a coming day of salvation where God Himself will come to save his people. Verse 10 directly follows the description of the ransomed returning to Zion, highlighting the joyous and unending nature of this redeemed state. The immediate context is God's promise to deliver his people from their present difficulties, offering a glimpse of the ultimate salvation and joy that awaits them in His kingdom. Historically, this message would have been a profound comfort to the Israelites during periods of exile and oppression, pointing them toward a future promised by God.

Isaiah 35 10 Word Analysis

• For (כִּי - ki): This is a conjunction, indicating cause or reason. It links the following statement as the result or explanation of what preceded.
• the redeemed (גְּאוּלִים - ge'ullim): This is the plural form of "redeemed" or "ransomed." It refers to those who have been bought back or liberated, often implying a price paid. In this context, it refers to those liberated by the LORD through His saving power.
• shall walk (יֵלְכוּ - yel'khu): The verb "to walk" (הָלַךְ - halakh) in the Hiphil conjugation implies "to cause to go" or "to lead." Here it signifies the movement and continued presence of the redeemed in the new reality. It suggests a confident and purposeful journey.
• there (שָׁמָּה - shammeh): An adverb indicating "there," pointing to the place of redemption and joy previously described in the chapter, likely referring to the renewed land or Zion.
• and (וְ - wə): A common conjunction connecting clauses or phrases.
• the ransomed (וּפְדוּיֵי - uphəduyey): The "and" (וְ) joins this with the previous subject. "Ransomed" (פָּדוּי - padu'i) also signifies redemption, liberation, often with the connotation of paying a price to secure freedom from captivity or bondage. It emphasizes being bought back.
• of the LORD (יהוה - YHWH): The personal covenant name of God, Yahweh. It attributes the act of ransoming directly to God.
• shall return (וְשָׁבוּ - wəshavu): The verb "to return" or "to turn back" (שׁוּב - shuv). This indicates a coming back, either literally to a place or metaphorically to a restored relationship or state.
• to Zion (צִיּוֹן - Tziyyon): A poetic name for Jerusalem, the stronghold of David, and the city of God's presence. It symbolizes God's dwelling place and the place of worship and salvation.
• with singing (בְּרִנָּה - bə-rinnáh): "With" (בְּ) indicates accompaniment. "Singing" or "joyful cry" (רִנָּה - rinnah) conveys expressed happiness and exultation.
• and (וְ - wə): Another conjunction.
• everlasting joy (שִׂמְחַת עוֹלָם - simḥat 'olam): "Joy" (שִׂמְחָה - simḥah) denotes gladness and happiness. "'Olam" signifies eternity, perpetuity, or forever. This phrase speaks of enduring, unending joy.
• shall be (תִּהְיֶה - tihyeh): The feminine singular future tense of the verb "to be" (הָיָה - hayah). It states that this joy "will be."
• upon (עַל - 'al): A preposition indicating position or state "upon" or "over."
• their (רָאשֵׁימוֹ - ro'sheymo): "Heads" (רֹאשׁ - ro'sh) used here to represent "upon them" or "upon their heads." It is a figure of speech signifying that the joy will rest fully upon them, an outward manifestation.
• and (וְ - wə): Conjunction.
• gladness (גִּילָה - gilah): Another word for joy or exultation. Often more exuberant than simḥah.
• and (וְ - wə): Conjunction.
• sorrow (וְאִבְהֶתֶת - wə'ivḥeth): "Sorrow" or "distress" or "anguish" (אִיבָּה - 'ivvah) or (אִיבֶּתֶת - 'ivvethet). It signifies distress or sorrow. The reading here might relate to a form of fading or weariness. Some scholars suggest variants or interpretations. It strongly implies the absence of pain.
• shall flee away (יָנוּסוּ - yanusu): The verb "to flee" or "to escape" (נוּס - nus) in the Hiphil conjugation, implying causing to flee. The subject is plural, referring to sorrow. It indicates the complete and definitive departure of all sorrow.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "the redeemed... shall return to Zion with singing": This phrase connects the idea of liberation with a joyful homecoming to the divine presence and dwelling place. The singing underscores the immense relief and happiness associated with this return.
• "everlasting joy shall be upon their heads": This group emphasizes the permanent and overwhelming nature of the joy. "Upon their heads" suggests that it is fully encompassing and outwardly visible.
• "gladness and sorrow shall flee away": This signifies the complete eradication of all negative emotions and suffering, replaced by positive experiences. The use of two words for joy and two words for absence of sorrow heightens the emphasis on completeness.

Isaiah 35 10 Bonus Section

The Hebrew word "ge'ullim" (redeemed) is deeply rooted in the concept of a kinsman-redeemer (go'el), a family member obligated to buy back or rescue a relative's property or person from debt or slavery (Leviticus 25:25-49). Isaiah frequently employs this imagery, with God acting as the ultimate Go'el for His people. This concept is powerfully fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who by His blood redeemed humanity from sin and death (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19).

The "singing" mentioned ("rinnah") in the Old Testament often accompanied significant acts of salvation or victory (Exodus 15:1-21). Here, it signifies not just relief but profound jubilation at God's completed work.

The phrase "sorrow shall flee away" uses the root word 'ivvah, which relates to crookedness or perversity, suggesting that not only sorrow but the very causes of sorrow will be removed from God's presence. The absence of weeping, mourning, and pain is a recurring theme in the descriptions of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:4).

Isaiah 35 10 Commentary

This verse is a triumphant conclusion to the hopeful prophecies in Isaiah 35. It describes the final, perfected state of God's people. The redemption that begins with liberation from sin and exile culminates in an eternal fellowship with God. The return to Zion with singing speaks of joyfully entering God's presence, a promise echoed in the New Testament's concept of the heavenly Jerusalem. The emphasis on "everlasting joy" and the complete removal of "sorrow" signifies a new creation where all afflictions of the present age are nullified. This is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises of salvation and unending peace.

Practical usage:

• Reminds believers that current struggles are temporary, and eternal joy awaits them in Christ.
• Encourages persevering faith, knowing that God is the ultimate source of lasting happiness.
• Serves as a powerful witness to the hope found in biblical prophecy and God's redemptive plan.