Isaiah 62 1

Isaiah 62:1 kjv

For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.

Isaiah 62:1 nkjv

For Zion's sake I will not hold My peace, And for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, And her salvation as a lamp that burns.

Isaiah 62:1 niv

For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch.

Isaiah 62:1 esv

For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch.

Isaiah 62:1 nlt

Because I love Zion,
I will not keep still.
Because my heart yearns for Jerusalem,
I cannot remain silent.
I will not stop praying for her
until her righteousness shines like the dawn,
and her salvation blazes like a burning torch.

Isaiah 62 verses

Isaiah 62 1 Meaning

This verse expresses God's emphatic declaration and unwavering commitment to act on behalf of Zion, representing His people and dwelling place. He pledges tireless and relentless intervention, vowing not to be silent or inactive, until Jerusalem's vindication, justice, and restored uprightness become brilliantly evident like the radiating light of dawn, and her complete deliverance shines forth unmistakably and powerfully like a blazing, conspicuous torch. It is a divine promise of ultimate restoration and glory, guaranteed by God's own zealous determination.

Isaiah 62 1 Context

Isaiah 62:1 stands at the crescendo of Isaiah's "Book of Consolation" (chapters 40-66), following chapters steeped in themes of judgment, redemption, and the ultimate restoration of Israel. Chapter 61 outlines the ministry of the Anointed One (Messiah), bringing good news, healing, freedom, and rebuilding for a broken Israel. Chapter 62 then shifts the focus to God's fervent passion and active role in fulfilling these promises, emphasizing that Zion's glorious future is not dependent on human effort alone but on divine initiative and perseverance.

Historically, this promise would have resonated deeply with the Jewish exiles returning to a devastated homeland, and those in the post-exilic period facing ongoing challenges and discouragement. Their city was ruined, their status diminished, and the glory promised seemed distant. The verse serves as a powerful antidote to despair, assuring the original audience that God Himself—who appeared to be "silent" during their suffering—would act definitively. Culturally, the imagery of light breaking forth from darkness and a blazing torch offered profound hope, contrasting sharply with their present gloom and implicitly countering any contemporary belief that their God had abandoned them or was impotent to restore. It asserts God's zealous personal commitment to His covenant people, guaranteeing a transformation that would be universally visible and undeniable.

Isaiah 62 1 Word analysis

• For Zion's sake (לְמַ֨עַן צִיּ֜וֹן, le·ma'an Tziyon): The preposition le·ma'an signifies "for the sake of," "on account of," indicating the direct purpose and motivation behind God's actions. Zion refers to the holy hill in Jerusalem, but by metonymy, it stands for the city of Jerusalem, the people of Israel, God's chosen community, and ultimately, the heavenly Jerusalem and the Church. This highlights that God's covenant loyalty and active intervention are specifically directed towards His people.

• I will not keep silent (לֹא־אֶחֱשֶׁה, lo-echeseh): The phrase literally means "I will not be silent." The verb chashah (חָשָׁה) denotes being still, inactive, or holding one's peace. God asserts an end to any perceived period of divine inaction or silence. His resolute intent is to speak and act. This implies a past experience where divine silence may have been felt by the people.

• and for Jerusalem's sake (וּלְמַעַן יְרוּשָׁלַ֫םִ, u·le·ma'an Yerushalayim): This phrase mirrors "For Zion's sake," emphasizing the parallel commitment and underscoring the spiritual and physical importance of the capital city as God's dwelling place. The parallelism amplifies the intensity of God's resolve.

• I will not rest (לֹא אֶשְׁק֣וֹט, lo eshqot): The verb shaqat (שָׁקַט) means to be quiet, to be undisturbed, to cease, or to be at peace. God's declaration that He will "not rest" underscores His tireless, unceasing activity and zealous persistence in working towards the promised outcome. It signifies intense, focused, and uninterrupted effort.

• until (עַד, 'ad): This is a temporal marker establishing a specific goal and the determined completion point of God's actions. His sustained effort continues until the desired state is fully achieved, indicating the certainty and completeness of the promise.

• her righteousness (צִדְקָהּ, tzidqah): This Hebrew term tzidqah refers to justice, vindication, salvation, and right standing. Here, it carries a multi-faceted meaning: God's act of vindicating His people before the nations, as well as Jerusalem's internal transformation to a state of moral purity and covenant faithfulness. It speaks of a restored integrity and justice, not merely perceived but outwardly demonstrated.

• goes forth as brightness (יֵצֵא כַנֹּגַהּ, yetse chanogah): The verb yatza (יָצָא) means "to go forth" or "to come out," suggesting emanation and public manifestation. Nogah (נֹגַהּ) means "brightness," "radiance," "splendor," often referring to the dawning light or the shining of celestial bodies. This vivid image implies that Zion's righteousness will not be hidden but will shine conspicuously and powerfully, like the breaking dawn, visible to all.

• and her salvation (וִישׁוּעָתָהּ, viyshu'atah): This refers to comprehensive deliverance, rescue, and well-being. Yeshu'ah encompasses spiritual and physical redemption, restoration, victory, and prosperity. It is the full fruit of God's redemptive work.

• as a burning torch (כְּלַפִּ֥יד יִבְעָֽר, chelappid yiv'ar): Lappid (לַפִּיד) is a torch, and ba'ar (בָּעַר) means to burn or be ablaze. This metaphor portrays salvation as something powerfully visible, intensely luminous, and undeniable—a fiery beacon. It signifies the dynamic, unquenchable, and glorious nature of God's saving work, illuminating for guidance and dispelling darkness.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I I will not rest": This uses parallel phrasing (Zion/Jerusalem, silent/rest) to powerfully convey God's intense, personal, and zealous commitment. The divine "I" underscores God's direct involvement. He will actively engage and exert Himself tirelessly until His purposes are accomplished.
  • "until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch": This segment outlines the glorious goal of God's tireless effort. The dual imagery of "brightness" (like dawn) and a "burning torch" signifies a public, radiant, and undeniable display of God's redemptive work. Both "righteousness" and "salvation" are shown as visible, energetic manifestations, dispelling obscurity and powerfully illuminating the world.

Isaiah 62 1 Bonus section

The "I" in the verse is a reference to Yahweh, the Lord God of Israel. This signifies not just a general prophecy, but a personal, zealous commitment directly from the divine covenant-maker to His people. This promise is rooted in God's faithfulness and covenant love, which are unchanging, demonstrating that His intentions for His people's good are eternally established. The light imagery directly anticipates the Person of Jesus Christ, who identifies Himself as the "light of the world" (John 8:12), bringing forth both righteousness and salvation in their ultimate fulfillment, first through His earthly ministry, and finally in the establishment of the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:23). Furthermore, the verse serves as a preamble to the call for intercessory prayer in Isa 62:6-7, implying that while God's ultimate resolve is firm, human partnership in prayer plays a significant role in actively "giving Him no rest" until His purposes are fully realized on earth.

Isaiah 62 1 Commentary

Isaiah 62:1 presents a majestic declaration of God's absolute resolve concerning His people, epitomized by Zion and Jerusalem. It underscores a core theological truth: God is actively and tirelessly invested in the ultimate glory and complete restoration of His chosen ones. His promise to "not keep silent" and "not rest" communicates a divine zeal and determination that transcends human perception of time or difficulty. He will not merely observe, but will vigorously work, pursuing His purpose with unflagging energy until the desired state is achieved.

The verse is a profound assurance that God's vindication of His people and their spiritual transformation ("her righteousness") will be unmistakable and brilliant, likened to the breaking forth of a new day. This is not a subtle change, but a visible, radiant, and publicly declared display. Furthermore, their complete and holistic deliverance ("her salvation") will be as powerfully evident as a "burning torch," shining with an intense, unmistakable light that guides and cannot be ignored. This imagery speaks to both clarity and strength, a divine work that cannot be quenched or hidden. This unwavering commitment culminates in Christ and the New Jerusalem, where God's ultimate light and salvation are fully manifest, bringing glory to His people forever.