Isaiah 54:3

3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.

Read Chapter Compare

PREVIOUS Isaiah 54:2 NEXT Isaiah 54:4

Isaiah 54:3 in Other Translations

KJV

3 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.

ESV

3 For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities.

NLT

3 For you will soon be bursting at the seams. Your descendants will occupy other nations and resettle the ruined cities.

MSG

3 You're going to need lots of elbow room for your growing family. You're going to take over whole nations; you're going to resettle abandoned cities.

CSB

3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left, and your descendants will dispossess nations and inhabit the 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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Isaiah 54:3 In-Context

1 “Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD.

2 “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.

3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.

4 “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

5 For your Maker is your husband— the LORD Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.