Isaiah 62 5

Isaiah 62:5 kjv

For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

Isaiah 62:5 nkjv

For as a young man marries a virgin, So shall your sons marry you; And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So shall your God rejoice over you.

Isaiah 62:5 niv

As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.

Isaiah 62:5 esv

For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.

Isaiah 62:5 nlt

Your children will commit themselves to you, O Jerusalem,
just as a young man commits himself to his bride.
Then God will rejoice over you
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride.

Isaiah 62 verses

Isaiah 62 5 Meaning

Isaiah 62:5 declares the restoration and joyful relationship between God and Zion (representing Jerusalem and its people). It uses two marriage metaphors: firstly, that as a young man marries a pure virgin, so her "sons" (or "builder") will "marry" Zion, signifying its renewed inhabitancy, care, and affectionate restoration by its people or by God Himself. Secondly, just as a bridegroom delights over his bride, the Lord God will exult and rejoice over Zion with immense joy, portraying God's profound delight and intimate, covenantal relationship with His re-established people and city. The verse assures Zion's vindication and future as a place of divine pleasure and human flourishing.

Isaiah 62 5 Context

Isaiah 62 is part of the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-66), which promises future glory and restoration for Israel after its period of exile and suffering. Chapters 60-62 specifically describe the glorious future of Zion (Jerusalem) as the center of God's redeemed people, radiating light and righteousness to the nations. The prophet, possibly Isaiah himself or a prophetic voice speaking on God's behalf, declares an unwavering commitment to Jerusalem: "For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest" (62:1). God promises a new name and identity for Zion, symbolizing its vindication and renewal (62:2-4). It will no longer be called "Forsaken" or "Desolate" but "Hephzibah" (My Delight Is in Her) and "Beulah" (Married). Verse 5 elaborates on this "Beulah" theme, providing vivid matrimonial imagery to describe this renewed relationship, emphasizing intimate possession, joy, and divine commitment, promising a full reversal of its former state of desolation.

Isaiah 62 5 Word analysis

• For as a young man marrieth a virgin,

  • "young man" (בָּחוּר, bachur): Refers to a choice, virile young man in the prime of his life, ready for marriage. It conveys energy, strength, and suitability for establishing a new household.
  • "marrieth" (יִבְעַל, yiv'al): Derived from the root ba'al, which can mean "to be lord/master" or "to possess as a husband." It signifies a deep, committed, and proprietary bond. The active ownership aspect of the verb highlights the man's dedication and claim to the woman.
  • "a virgin" (בְּתוּלָה, b'tulah): Implies purity, newness, and untapped potential. This contrasts sharply with Zion's former state of desolation, presenting it as being made new, cherished, and untarnished again, ready for a pure, undefiled relationship. The marriage to a virgin signifies a fresh beginning and untainted union.

• so shall thy sons marry thee:

  • "thy sons" (בָּנָֽיִךְ, banayich): This is a critical point of translation and interpretation. The Masoretic Text reads "thy sons." Many modern translations (NIV, ESV, NASB, NET) render it "your Builder" or "your Maker," reflecting a textual variant where the Masoretes themselves noted an alternative reading (Qere) בֹּנָֽיִךְ (bonayich, "your builders" or "your Maker").
    • If "thy sons": It refers to the returned exiles or the new generation of Israelites. They will not merely inhabit Jerusalem but "marry" it, expressing a profound, covenantal, and affectionate devotion, ownership, and commitment to rebuilding and caring for the city, similar to a husband's devotion to his wife. This underscores the people's active role in Zion's restoration and love for their spiritual mother city.
    • If "thy Builder" (plural/singular): It refers to God Himself. This would align with the second half of the verse where God explicitly rejoices over Zion. It emphasizes that God, as Zion's original creator and re-creator, will enter into an intimate marital relationship with His city and people, underscoring divine initiation and covenant. Most modern scholarly consensus leans towards "your Builder" for theological coherence and parallelism with the second phrase, depicting God as the ultimate "Husband."

• and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride,

  • "bridegroom" (חָתָן, chatan): A man who is about to be married or has just married, filled with joy.
  • "rejoiceth" (יָשִׂישׂ, yasis): To exult, be exceedingly joyful, to spin round in delight. It expresses unrestrained, celebratory happiness and delight. This emotion is typically associated with a significant, joyful event like a wedding.
  • "the bride" (כַּלָּה, kallah): The woman about to be married or newly married, the object of the bridegroom's intense joy and love.

• so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

  • "thy God" (אֱלֹהַיִךְ, Elohayich): Refers to the God of Israel, YHWH, in an intimate and possessive sense ("your God"), reinforcing the covenantal bond. It stresses the personal relationship between God and Zion/His people.
  • "rejoice over thee": This parallelism confirms the preceding metaphor and makes the divine delight explicit. God's joy is comparable to the profound happiness of a bridegroom on his wedding day. This underscores God's deep love, satisfaction, and renewed covenant with Zion.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee": This first comparison highlights the restoration of a proper, loving, and exclusive relationship. If interpreted as "thy sons," it shows the restored Israelite community (her spiritual "sons") committing wholly to their homeland, no longer abandoned but affectionately cherished. If "thy Builder," it points to God Himself entering this relationship, signifying divine proprietorship and love. Both interpretations convey an exclusive, devoted, and life-giving bond that transforms Zion from desolation to honored beloved. The use of "virgin" speaks to a clean slate, a purity regained for Jerusalem, washing away its past unfaithfulness in God's eyes for this renewed era.
• "and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee": This second comparison, explicitly naming "thy God" as the rejoicing party, intensifies the previous metaphor. It moves from the idea of "marrying" (which implies a taking or entering into a relationship) to "rejoicing," emphasizing the emotional depth of God's pleasure and celebration over His restored people. It signifies not just an administrative act of reunion, but an ecstatic delight that is personal and profound, a joy that is contagious and foundational for the identity of Zion. This image vividly contrasts with periods of divine judgment and withdrawal, showcasing a full reversal and a loving embrace.

Isaiah 62 5 Bonus section

• The prophetic context in Isaiah often speaks to a future ideal that goes beyond mere earthly restoration of Israel after the Babylonian exile, hinting at ultimate spiritual and eschatological realities. Thus, while referring to post-exilic Jerusalem, it also points forward to the spiritual Jerusalem (the Church) and the New Jerusalem.
• The transition of Zion's status, from "forsaken" and "desolate" (mentioned in the preceding verses) to "married" (Beulah), represents a dramatic change in identity directly ordained by God. This renaming signifies a transformation of spiritual reality and external perception.
• The marriage metaphor emphasizes an unbreakable bond. In ancient Near Eastern culture, marriage established a permanent covenant and gave the husband full responsibility and protective duty over his wife. This is applied to God's steadfastness and guardianship over Zion.
• The joy described is not fleeting but is inherent in the very nature of God's relationship with His people in their perfected state. It reflects the satisfaction and delight of a creator in His completed and cherished work.
• The interplay between the human (sons marrying Zion) and divine (God rejoicing over Zion) aspects is important. If "sons" is the reading, it speaks of redeemed humanity actively participating in the spiritual care and restoration of God's dwelling place, motivated by love that mirrors God's. If "Builder," then it emphasizes the divine initiative throughout. Both understandings resonate with broader biblical themes of partnership in God's redemptive plan.

Isaiah 62 5 Commentary

Isaiah 62:5 provides a rich double metaphor of marriage to underscore God's unwavering commitment to His people, symbolized by Zion/Jerusalem, promising a future of profound joy and intimacy. The first analogy, where "sons" (or "Builder") "marry" Zion, can be understood in two layers: the human element of the returned exiles ardently reclaiming and restoring their land, or, the divine initiative where God Himself re-establishes an intimate relationship with His beloved city, erasing its past shame and presenting it as a pure virgin. This act signifies restoration, renewal of purpose, and an exclusive, protective devotion.

The second, and perhaps more direct, analogy reveals God's own heart: His joy over Zion is like a bridegroom's overflowing delight in his bride. This moves beyond mere covenant-keeping to an emotional rapture, demonstrating God's profound affection, pleasure, and unwavering commitment to His chosen people. Zion is no longer desolate, but God's special possession, His cherished delight, and the object of His intense love. This speaks of a complete reversal of judgment, moving into an era of favor and blessing. The New Testament often takes up this marital imagery, extending it to Christ as the Bridegroom and the Church as His Bride (Eph 5, Rev 19, 21), highlighting the fulfillment of this intimate covenantal relationship in a spiritual, eternal context. This verse serves as a powerful declaration of God's unfailing love, a beacon of hope for restoration, and a vivid picture of divine joy in His redeemed.