Isaiah 65 20

Isaiah 65:20 kjv

There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.

Isaiah 65:20 nkjv

"No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, Nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; For the child shall die one hundred years old, But the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed.

Isaiah 65:20 niv

"Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.

Isaiah 65:20 esv

No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.

Isaiah 65:20 nlt

"No longer will babies die when only a few days old.
No longer will adults die before they have lived a full life.
No longer will people be considered old at one hundred!
Only the cursed will die that young!

Isaiah 65 verses

Isaiah 65 20 Meaning

This verse promises an end to premature death and a life extended to its natural completion, symbolizing a blessed future for God's people in the restored kingdom. It paints a picture of ultimate well-being where death is no longer an enemy cutting short life's journey, but a peaceful transition at its natural end. This is a hallmark of the new creation.

Isaiah 65 20 Context

Isaiah 65 speaks of a future restoration where God's people will inhabit a renewed heavens and earth, enjoying abundant blessings and lasting peace. This chapter contrasts the judgment upon the unfaithful with the ultimate redemption and transformation awaiting those who remain faithful. The specific context of verse 20 is within this eschatological vision of a perfect future, free from the sin and its consequences that have plagued humanity. It follows descriptions of rebuilt cities, fruitful land, and divine favor, all pointing towards a golden age of ultimate security and blessing under God's reign.

Isaiah 65 20 Word Analysis

• כִּֽי־ (ki): A conjunctive particle, often translated as "for," "because," "that." It introduces a reason or explanation for the preceding statement or establishes a direct cause-and-effect. Here, it signals that what follows explains the nature of the blessed future.

• לֹא־ (lo): A strong negation particle, meaning "not" or "no." It unequivocally denies the presence of the following condition.

• יִהְיֶה־ (yihyeh): The third-person masculine singular imperfect form of the verb היה (hayah), meaning "to be," "to become," or "to exist." Used here to state future non-existence of a specific state.

• שָׁם (sham): An adverb of place, meaning "there." It refers back to the new creation, the renewed heavens and earth mentioned previously in the chapter.

• עוֹד (ʿōd): An adverb meaning "again," "still," "more," "yet." Combined with negation, "lo-ʿōd," it forms a powerful phrase signifying "no longer" or "never again."

• בֶּן־ (ben): A noun meaning "son," often used to denote offspring or progeny.

• שְׁנַ֣יִם (shenayim): The number "two." However, "ben-shenayim" in certain contexts, especially poetic ones, could refer to a very young man or adolescent, indicating someone still developing.

• עֹ (ʿo): A common elision or shortened form that connects the preceding word to the following one, here "ben" (son) and "shanim" (years).

• חָ֑יִל (ḥayil): Typically means "strength," "might," "power," "army," or "army." In certain idiomatic usages, like "ben-ḥayil," it could imply a robust or accomplished person.

• וְ (wə): The conjunction "and." Connects phrases or clauses.

• בֶּן־ (ben): Again, "son."

• קִ֚י (qi): Derived from the root קוּם (qum), meaning "to stand up," "to rise," or "to live." Here, likely an emphatic particle or adverbial meaning "quickly" or "suddenly," contributing to the sense of an unnatural end.

• מֵ֣ת (met): The passive participle of the verb מות (mut), meaning "to die." It signifies "dead" or "having died."

• בַּיָּמִים (bayyamim): Preposition ב (be) meaning "in" + the noun ימים (yamim) meaning "days." "In days."

• מֵ֥וֶת (mewet): Similar to "met," but more definitively signifying "death" as a state or event. The context emphasizes the death event happening in youth.

• וְהַֽמְקַלֵּ֖ל (wəhamqallel): Conjunction "and" + definite article הַ (ha) + participle מְקַלֵּל (m'qalel) from the root קָלַל (qalal), meaning "to curse." So, "and the curser" or "and he who curses." This implies an acknowledgment of curses still existing, which the new era will abolish.

• קְלָלָ֑ה (qəlalāh): Noun meaning "curse." Here, "his curse," referring to the curse upon a sinner.

• הַֽצֹּרֵ֣ר (haṣṣorēr): Conjunction "and" + definite article הַ (ha) + participle צֹרֵר (ṣorēr) from the root צָרַר (ṣārar), meaning "to bind," "to besiege," "to hate," or "to be hostile to." This refers to one who causes distress or opposition, particularly to God or His people.

• חַטָּ֔א (ḥaṭṭāʾ): Noun meaning "sinner." So, "and the sinner."

• Words-group analysis:

  • "No longer shall there be... one who dies at one hundred years old": This phrase ("ki lo-yihyeh sham ʿōd ben-shenayim ʿōḥayil") describes the cessation of premature death, indicating a prolonged and healthy lifespan. The ancient concept was that a full life extended to around 100 years, so dying at that age meant one had lived a complete life, not died prematurely.
  • "and he who dies at a hundred years old as a mere child": The additional clause ("wəmet bi-yyamim mewet") strongly emphasizes that dying at the age of one hundred will itself be considered premature death. This hyperbole highlights the radically extended lifespans expected in this new era. It signifies a life so abundant that reaching a century mark is comparable to dying in infancy in terms of one's potential and completeness of life.
  • "for the person is accursed": The final clause ("ki-hu qəlalāh") explains why this premature death occurs (even at 100 years old). It attributes such an early demise (relative to the promised extended life) to divine curse, typically linked to sin and transgression. The new era is characterized by the removal of these curses.

Isaiah 65 20 Bonus Section

The phrasing "dies at one hundred years old as a mere child" is a striking hyperbole. It reflects a significant cultural understanding where extreme age signified wisdom and fullness of life. To die at such an age and have it be described as "childish" or prematurely signifies a complete redefinition of lifespan. Scholars often interpret this passage as illustrative of the radical nature of God's future blessings, where the former limitations of life and death are completely overthrown, indicating an eternal state of being where mortal frailties are entirely vanquished. This is a vivid illustration of God's power to restore and elevate humanity beyond current mortal experience.

Isaiah 65 20 Commentary

This verse encapsulates the ultimate reversal of death and curse, core promises of messianic prophecy. In the restored kingdom, the dominion of death, understood as unnatural and premature extinction, is broken. A lifespan of a hundred years, which in the Old Testament context was considered exceptionally long (cf. Ps 90:10), will no longer signify the end of a full life, but rather will be viewed as an incomplete existence. The reason given, "for the person is accursed," points to the cause of premature death as divine judgment or the effect of sin and curses that are now removed. The new covenant ushers in an era where God’s presence brings life and blessing, eradicating the sting of death and the weight of curses. This prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in the resurrection and the eternal life promised in the new heavens and new earth where death is no more (Rev 21:4).