Isaiah 54:1-11

The Fertile Wife of Yahweh

1 "Sing for joy, barren [woman]; [who] has not borne! Burst forth [into] rejoicing and rejoice, [she who] has not been in labor! For [the] children of [the] desolate woman [are] more than [the] children of [the] married woman," says Yahweh.

2 "Enlarge the site of your tent, and let them stretch out the tent curtains of your dwelling place. You must not spare; make your tent cords long and strengthen your pegs,

3 for you will spread out [to the] right and [to the] left. And your descendants will be heir [to the] nations, and they will inhabit desolate towns.

4 You must not fear, for you will not be ashamed, and you must not be confounded, for you will not feel abashed, for you will forget the shame of your youth, and you will no longer remember the disgrace of your widowhood.

5 For your husband [is] your maker, his name [is] Yahweh of hosts; and your redeemer [is] the holy one of Israel, he is called the God of all of the earth.

6 For Yahweh has called you like a wife forsaken and hurt of spirit, like [the] wife of childhood when she is rejected, says your God.

7 I abandoned you {for a short} moment, but I will gather you with great compassion.

8 I hid my face from you [for] a moment, in the flowing of anger, but I will have compassion on you with everlasting faithfulness" says your redeemer, Yahweh.

9 "For this [is like] the waters of Noah to me, when I swore {that the waters of Noah would never again pass} over the earth, so I swore {that I would not be} angry at you and rebuke you.

10 For the mountains may depart, and the hills may sway, but my faithfulness shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not sway," says Yahweh, who has compassion on you,

11 "O afflicted [one], driven away, [who] is not consoled. Look! I [am] about to set your stones in hard mortar, and I will lay your foundation with sapphires.

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Isaiah 54:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 54

As the former chapter is a prophecy of the humiliation and exaltation of Christ, of his sufferings and death, and the glory that should follow; this is a prophecy of that part of his glory which relates to the flourishing estate of his church, as the fruit of his death, and explains and enlarges upon the promise of his having a numerous seed. The prophecy reaches from the death and resurrection of Christ to his second coming; and describes the state of the church during that time, which had been like a barren woman, but now fruitful, which was matter of joy; and would increase, and have yet a more numerous issue, through the conversion and accession of the Gentiles; and therefore is bid not to fear, since she should not bear the shame and reproach of widowhood, Isa 54:1-4, the reason confirming which is, because Christ was her husband, who was her Maker and Redeemer, the God of Israel, and of the whole earth, Isa 54:5, and though she might for some time be under some dark providences, and seem to be forsaken of God, and lie under his displeasure; yet she is assured of the love of God towards her, that it is constant and perpetual; which is illustrated by the oath and covenant of God with Noah, and by its being more immovable than mountains and hills, Isa 54:6-10, and though she would sometimes be in a very afflicted and uncomfortable condition, yet should be raised again to a state of great honour and splendour, of spiritual knowledge, peace, and safety, Isa 54:11-14 and that all her enemies, that gathered together against her, should perish, and all their attempts be unsuccessful, since the Lord was on her side, and would defend her cause, and protect her, Isa 54:15-17.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Footnotes 10

[a]. Hebrew "descendant"
[b]. The Hebrew is plural
[c]. The Hebrew is plural
[d]. Or "and"
[e]. Literally "in a small"
[f]. Or "and"
[g]. Or "and"
[h]. Literally "from the passing over of the waters of Noah again"
[i]. Literally "from being "
[j]. Or "and"