Isaiah 51:3 kjv
For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
Isaiah 51:3 nkjv
For the LORD will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody.
Isaiah 51:3 niv
The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
Isaiah 51:3 esv
For the LORD comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.
Isaiah 51:3 nlt
The LORD will comfort Israel again
and have pity on her ruins.
Her desert will blossom like Eden,
her barren wilderness like the garden of the LORD.
Joy and gladness will be found there.
Songs of thanksgiving will fill the air.
Isaiah 51 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 51:3 | For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. | Primary reference |
| Isaiah 61:4 | And they shall build the old waste places, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. | Echoes restoration of desolate places. |
| Isaiah 40:3 | The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. | Parallel imagery of desert transformation. |
| Jeremiah 30:18 | Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof. | Prophecy of restoration. |
| Ezekiel 36:35 | And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are now fenced, and dwell therein. | Direct parallel in describing restoration. |
| Psalms 80:12 | Why hast thou then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her? | Highlights past devastation of God's people. |
| Psalms 85:12 | Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. | Assurance of future prosperity. |
| Revelation 21:4 | And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. | Ultimate fulfillment of comfort and joy. |
| Matthew 1:21 | And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. | Jesus brings salvation and new life. |
| John 16:22 | And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. | Jesus promises enduring joy. |
| Romans 8:18 | For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. | Comfort in light of future glory. |
| 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 | Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we might be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. | God as the God of all comfort. |
| Galatians 4:26-27 | But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is our mother. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. | Barrenness turned to fruitfulness. |
| Philippians 4:4 | Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. | Exhortation to rejoice. |
| 1 Thessalonians 4:13 | But we would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. | Comfort concerning believers who have died. |
| Hebrews 12:11 | Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. | Fruit of righteousness through trials. |
| Revelation 11:15 | And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. | Final reign of God brings ultimate joy. |
| Isaiah 12:4 | And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. | Call to praise. |
| Jeremiah 33:11 | The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever, and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD. | Restoration marked by joy and praise. |
| Psalms 107:1 | O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. | Thanksgiving for God's mercy. |
Isaiah 51 verses
Isaiah 51 3 Meaning
The Lord will comfort Zion, bringing desolation to its wilderness and making its barren places like Eden, its desert like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found there, with thanksgiving and the sound of song.
Isaiah 51 3 Context
Isaiah chapter 51 continues the theme of comfort for Jerusalem and the people of Israel. Following verses that encourage them to listen to righteousness and not fear, this verse specifically outlines the future restoration. It paints a vivid picture of God transforming a desolate land into a place of flourishing beauty and overflowing joy. Historically, this was a promise offered to the exiles returning from Babylon, assuring them that God would not only bring them back but would also renew their land and their spirits. The imagery of the wilderness becoming like Eden and the desert like God's garden signifies a complete reversal of their past state of devastation and a return to a blessed, fruitful existence under God's care.
Isaiah 51 3 Word Analysis
For (Kiy - Hebrew: כִּי): Conjunction indicating a reason or cause, introducing the explanation for the previous encouragement.
the LORD (Yhovah - Hebrew: יְהוָה): The personal covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and redemptive actions.
shall comfort (Nchmh - Hebrew: נִחֵם): To console, to comfort, to relent. Here, it signifies divine intervention and solace for distress and sorrow.
Zion (Tsiyon - Hebrew: צִיּוֹן): Refers to Jerusalem, and by extension, the people of God and the place of His dwelling.
he will comfort (Nchm - Hebrew: נִחֵם): Repetition emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's consolation.
all her waste places (Kowl mdcwtheha - Hebrew: כָּל־מִדְבְּרֹתֶיהָ): All her desolate places; uninhabited and ruined areas.
and he will make (wn'y - Hebrew: וְנָתַן or וַיִּתֵּן, the Masoretic Text indicates נָתַן "give" or "make", possibly connecting to "give" joy later in the verse): God's active participation in the transformation.
her wilderness (m'dbh - Hebrew: מִדְבָּרָהּ): Her wilderness, a place of emptiness, trial, and unfruitfulness.
like Eden (k'Ydn - Hebrew: כְּעֵדֶן): Comparing it to the pristine garden of delights created by God in the beginning, symbolizing perfection, abundance, and God's presence.
and her desert (wmdbrha - Hebrew: וּמִדְבָּרָהּ): Again, emphasizing the transformation of barrenness.
like the garden (kgn - Hebrew: כְּגַן): Similar to Eden, likening it to a cultivated, fruitful, and pleasant place.
of the LORD (Yhwh - Hebrew: יְהוָה): Belonging to or originating from the Lord, indicating a divine standard of beauty and provision.
joy (sws - Hebrew: שָׂשׂוֹן): Exceeding gladness, delight, exuberance.
and gladness (wsmch - Hebrew: וְשִׂמְחָה): Happiness, cheerfulness, prosperity, often associated with festive occasions.
shall be found therein (tymwzh wtsmwch ymtsy' b'h - Hebrew: יִמָּצֵא בָהּ): They will be found in it, a future assurance of these emotions.
thanksgiving (hvd' - Hebrew: תּוֹדָה): Gratitude, confession, praise offered to God.
and the voice (qwly - Hebrew: קוֹל): The sound, the vocal expression.
of melody (rmw'h - Hebrew: רִנָּה or מְרֹעָה): Often translated as singing, song of joy, or joyful sound.
Groups of words:
- "waste places...wilderness...desert": Represents the state of desolation, exile, and affliction of Israel, both geographically and spiritually.
- "like Eden...like the garden of the LORD": Symbolizes a return to divine favor, flourishing life, abundance, and beauty, a state of pristine blessing.
- "joy and gladness...thanksgiving, and the voice of melody": Denotes the spiritual and emotional state of restored people, characterized by rejoicing and expressed praise.
Isaiah 51 3 Bonus Section
The imagery of barren land turning into a flourishing garden is a recurring theme in Scripture, signifying God's power to bring life from death and to restore His people and His creation. This transformation is not just external; it points to an internal renewal of the human spirit. The ultimate fulfillment of this promise is seen in the new heavens and new earth described in Revelation, where all things are made new and God dwells with His people in perfect joy and peace. The "voice of melody" can also be seen as the anticipation of the worship of God by a redeemed humanity.
Isaiah 51 3 Commentary
This verse is a powerful prophetic promise of radical transformation and restoration orchestrated by God Himself. It moves beyond mere physical rebuilding to a spiritual and emotional renewal, turning a desolate landscape into a divine sanctuary of joy. The comparison to Eden and the Lord's garden highlights a return to a state of perfection and blessedness, exceeding even the initial garden in its perfection because it's established under God's direct reign and comfort. The resulting expressions of joy, gladness, thanksgiving, and melody signify the deep contentment and heartfelt praise that characterize life in God's redeemed community. It speaks of an era where the afflictions of the past are not just overcome but are utterly replaced by overwhelming divine blessing and peace.