Isaiah 54:3

54:2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;

For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

KJV

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For you will spread out on the right hand and on the left; and your offspring will possess the nations, and settle in desolate cities.

For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

For you shall break forth on the right hand and on the left; and your seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

54:4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

What does Isaiah 54:3 mean?

Isaiah 54:3 is a verse in the book of Isaiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include פָּרַץ (pârats), יָמִין (yâmîyn), שְׂמֹאול (sᵉmôʼwl). It connects to 5 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

For

thou

shalt

break

forthפָּרַץpârats/paw-rats'/H6555to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative)

the

right

handיָמִיןyâmîyn/yaw-meen'/H3225the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south

and

the

left;שְׂמֹאולsᵉmôʼwl/sem-ole'/H8040properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand

and

thy

seedזֶרַעzeraʻ/zeh'-rah/H2233seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

shall

inheritיָרַשׁyârash/yaw-rash'/H3423to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish, to ruin

the

Gentiles,גּוֹיgôwy/go'-ee/H1471a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

and

make

the

desolateשָׁמֵםshâmêm/shaw-mame'/H8074to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)

citiesעִירʻîyr/eer/H5892a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

inhabited.יָשַׁבyâshab/yaw-shab'/H3427properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

Commentary on Isaiah 54:3

HENRY_FULL · Isaiah 54:3

e with discretion, which would prevent a great deal of sin, and trouble, and disgrace to their profession. 1. We must prefer necessaries before conveniences, and not lay that out for show which should be expended for the support of the family. We must be contented with a mean cottage for a habitation, rather than want, or go in debt for, food convenient. 2. We must not think of building till we can afford it: "First apply thyself to thy work without in the field; let thy ground be put into good order; look after thy husbandry, for it is that by which thou must get; and, when thou hast got well by that, then, and not till then, thou mayest think of rebuilding and beautifying thy house, for that is it upon which, and in which, thou wilt have occasion to spend." Many have ruined their estates and families by laying out money on that which brings nothing in, beginning to build when they were not able to finish. Some understand it as advice to young men not to marry (for by that the house is built) till they have set up in the world, and not wherewith to maintain a wife and children comfortably. 3. When we have any great design on foot it is wisdom to take it before us, and make the necessary preparations, before we fall to work, that, when it is begun, it may not stand still for want of materials. Solomon observed this rule himself in building the house of God; all was made ready before it was brought to the ground, 1 Kings vi. 7 . 28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips. 29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Judges 15:11

Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them. went: Heb. went down

2 Samuel 13:22

And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

Matthew 5:39

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Romans 12:17

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

1 Thessalonians 5:15

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Topics

Heathen

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Isaiah 54:3.

1 Samuel 6:12

And the kine took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Bethshemesh.

2 Samuel 16:6

And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

2 Samuel 2:19

And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. from: Heb. from after Abner

2 Samuel 2:21

And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him. armour: or, spoil

Deuteronomy 17:11

According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand, nor to the left.

Deuteronomy 17:20

That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.

Deuteronomy 2:27

Let me pass through thy land: I will go along by the high way, I will neither turn unto the right hand nor to the left.

Deuteronomy 28:14

And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

Frequently asked questions

What does Isaiah 54:3 say?

Isaiah 54:3 (King James Version) reads: "For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited."

Is Isaiah 54:3 in the Old or New Testament?

Isaiah 54:3 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Isaiah.

Reflect

As you read Isaiah 54:3, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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