Isaiah 65 23

Isaiah 65:23 kjv

They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.

Isaiah 65:23 nkjv

They shall not labor in vain, Nor bring forth children for trouble; For they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the LORD, And their offspring with them.

Isaiah 65:23 niv

They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them.

Isaiah 65:23 esv

They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the LORD, and their descendants with them.

Isaiah 65:23 nlt

They will not work in vain,
and their children will not be doomed to misfortune.
For they are people blessed by the LORD,
and their children, too, will be blessed.

Isaiah 65 verses

Isaiah 65 23 meaning

Isaiah 65:23 describes a future reality in God's restored creation where the previous curses on labor and procreation are utterly reversed. It promises that the work performed by God's chosen people will not be futile or without lasting impact, but instead will be productive and fulfilling. Furthermore, children will be born into a peaceful, secure, and blessed environment, free from the specter of calamity or an early demise. This blessed status of the people and their descendants stems directly from their identity as "the lineage of the blessed of the LORD," assuring an enduring and multi-generational favor upon them and their offspring.

Isaiah 65 23 Context

Isaiah chapter 65 begins by contrasting Israel's rebellious and idolatrous past with God's patient readiness to be found by those who did not seek Him. It then moves swiftly to unveil God's magnificent plan for a restored people and a new creation. From verse 17 onward, the prophet describes the "new heavens and a new earth," portraying an ideal existence where former troubles are forgotten, joy and peace abound, life spans are extended, and intimate communion with God is restored. Verse 23 is nestled within this glorious description of the restored creation, illustrating key aspects of daily life—labor and family—under this renewed covenant. It speaks directly to the core concerns of ancient people, reversing the age-old curses of futility, hardship, and suffering experienced since the Fall in Genesis 3, and promising divine blessing and secure continuation of lineage as characteristic features of this new era.

Isaiah 65 23 Word analysis

• "They shall not labor in vain":

  • "labor" (יְגַע - yəḡaʿ): This Hebrew word signifies "to toil," "grow weary," or "exert oneself." In the Old Testament, labor often implies difficulty and sometimes futility due to the curse of sin (e.g., Ecc 2:10-11). The absence of yəḡaʿ in vain is a significant reversal.
  • "in vain" (לָרִ֔יק - lārîq): Meaning "for nothing," "empty," or "without purpose." This word explicitly negates the unproductive and frustrating toil that marked human existence under the curse. Their efforts will now yield sure and tangible results, bringing satisfaction.

• "nor bring forth children for trouble":

  • "bring forth children" (יָלַ֖ד - yālaḏ): A fundamental command and blessing from God to humanity (Gen 1:28), signifying procreation and continuation of family lines.
  • "for trouble" (לַבֶּהָלָ֑ה - labbehālāh): This powerful term means "for terror," "for sudden destruction," "for alarm," or "for calamity." It encompasses the pain of childbirth (Gen 3:16) and, more broadly, the sorrow of raising children only for them to suffer hardship, die young, be taken into captivity, or face disaster. The promise is that their children will grow up in peace and security, thriving rather than struggling.

• "for they shall be the lineage of the blessed of the LORD":

  • "lineage" (זֶ֖רַע - zeraʿ): Meaning "seed," "offspring," "descendant," or "progeny." This term emphasizes the continuation of a family line, crucial for identity and inheritance in ancient cultures.
  • "blessed" (בְּרֻכֵ֥י - bəruḵê): Derived from bārakh, "to bless." It indicates a state of divine favor, prosperity, and well-being. This is not just an individual blessing but one that marks their very identity as a corporate people.
  • "of the LORD" (יְהוָ֑ה - YHVH): Emphasizes that the blessing is from God Himself, making it unassailable and true. Their identity as "blessed" is rooted in their relationship with their covenant God.

• "and their offspring with them":

  • "offspring" (צֶאֱצָאֵיהֶ֥ם - ṣeʾĕṣāʾêhem): This word literally means "that which goes forth" or "progeny." It further reiterates and confirms the extent of the blessing, underscoring its multi-generational nature.
  • "with them" (אִתָּֽם - ʾittām): Signifies shared destiny and co-existence in blessing. The children are not merely blessed in their own right, but share in the blessing of their parents, indicating familial continuity and a perpetual covenantal relationship.

Words-group analysis:

• "They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth children for trouble": This phrase directly confronts and reverses two core aspects of the Genesis curse on humanity after the Fall (Gen 3:16-19). Labor will be meaningful and fruitful, not exhausting and empty. Procreation will bring joy and security for the children, not pain, sorrow, or calamity. It paints a picture of existence utterly freed from the primary consequences of sin.
• "for they shall be the lineage of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them": This segment provides the divine rationale for the promised freedom from futility and trouble. It's because the people themselves—and their entire subsequent generation—are uniquely identified as the recipients of God's blessing. This ensures that the peace, security, and fruitfulness described are not merely temporary but are enduring covenantal realities passed down through their seed, solidifying their status as God's redeemed people within the new creation.

Isaiah 65 23 Bonus section

This verse highlights the profound connection between material blessing (fruitful labor, healthy children) and spiritual identity ("blessed of the LORD"). It emphasizes that the full experience of God's restoration encompasses both spiritual renewal and a redeemed physical existence. The New Testament church, through faith in Christ, inherits Abraham's blessing (Gal 3:29), implying a spiritual fulfillment of such promises, where "labor in the Lord is not in vain" (1 Cor 15:58). While believers may still experience temporal struggles, this verse offers a glimpse of the ultimate, comprehensive, and irreversible blessing awaiting God's people in the consummated kingdom, where all effects of the curse are undone.

Isaiah 65 23 Commentary

Isaiah 65:23 is a profound statement of eschatological hope, encapsulating the reversal of the Fall's curse and the full realization of God's redemptive plan for His people within the "new heavens and new earth." It signifies an era where human existence is harmonized with divine favor, replacing the sorrow, futility, and distress that plagued fallen humanity. Their labor will find its rightful dignity and yield lasting fruit, transforming toil into joyful, purposeful activity. More deeply, it speaks to the sanctity and security of family, assuring that the birth of children will bring unadulterated joy, as they are born into a stable, peaceful, and blessed environment. This promise flows not from human effort, but from the unchangeable reality that they are inherently "the lineage of the blessed of the LORD," enjoying a corporate, enduring blessing that extends to every generation, cementing their identity as God's chosen and cherished inheritance.