Isaiah 54:3

3 To the right and to the left you will burst out, and your children will possess the nations' land and settle their desolate cities.

Isaiah 54:3 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 54:3

For thou shall break forth on the right hand and on the left,
&c.] To the south, and to the north, as the Targum, like an inundation of water, that breaks through and overflows the banks of the river, and spreads itself in the adjacent countries; or like a warehouse overstocked with goods, bursts the walls in which they are pent up; or rather as infants break forth from the womb at the time of birth, as Pharez did, from whence he had his name, ( Genesis 38:29 ) see ( Hosea 13:13 ) , or as, when a country is become exceeding numerous, the inhabitants break out, and go forth beyond their borders, and seek new settlements, the place of their abode being too small for them; so it shall be in the latter day, through the vast number of converts that will be made; see ( Isaiah 49:19 Isaiah 49:20 ) :

and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles;
where formerly only Heathens lived, there the Gospel of Christ shall be carried by his apostles and other ministers; and being succeeded to the conversion of many souls, through the power of divine grace accompanying it, a spiritual seed, the seed of the church, shall take place, and dwell there; this was true in the first ages of Christianity, more especially in Constantine's time; and will be more fully accomplished in the latter day, when the fulness of the Gentiles shall be brought in:

and make the desolate cities to be inhabited:
such cities as were destitute of the knowledge of Christ and his salvation, and of all divine and spiritual things, shall now be inhabited by spiritual men, such as believe in Christ, and profess his name; such cities as Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, Colosse, Philippi, Thessalonica, and many others.

Isaiah 54:3 In-Context

1 Sing, barren woman who has borne no child; break forth into singing and cry out, you who were never in labor, for the children of the wife who has been deserted will be more numerous than the children of the married, says the LORD.

2 Enlarge the site of your tent, and stretch out the drapes of your dwellings; don't hold back. Lengthen your tent ropes and strengthen your stakes.

3 To the right and to the left you will burst out, and your children will possess the nations' land and settle their desolate cities.

4 Don't fear, because you won't be ashamed; don't be dismayed, because you won't be disgraced. You will forget the shame of your youth; you'll no longer remember the disgrace of your widowhood.

5 The one marrying you is the one who made you— the LORD of heavenly forces is his name. The one redeeming you is the holy one of Israel, the one called the God of all the earth.