King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Complete Jewish Bible:
yes, provide for those in Tziyon who mourn, giving them garlands instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a cloak of praise instead of a heavy spirit, so that they will be called oaks of righteousness planted by ADONAI, in which he takes pride.
Berean Standard Bible:
to console the mourners in Zion— to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.
American Standard Version:
to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that he may be glorified.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
To appoint{H7760} unto them that mourn{H57} in Zion{H6726}, to give{H5414} unto them beauty{H6287} for ashes{H665}, the oil{H8081} of joy{H8342} for mourning{H60}, the garment{H4594} of praise{H8416} for the spirit{H7307} of heaviness{H3544}; that they might be called{H7121} trees{H352} of righteousness{H6664}, the planting{H4302} of the LORD{H3068}, that he might be glorified{H6286}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Jeremiah 17:7
- Blessed [is] the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
Jeremiah 17:8
- For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and [that] spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
Psalms 30:11
- Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
John 16:20
- Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
Isaiah 61:10
- ¶ I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels.
Ecclesiastes 9:8
- Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
Psalms 45:7
- Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
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Commentary for Isaiah 61:3
Isaiah 61:3 is part of a larger messianic prophecy found in Isaiah 61:1-3, which speaks of a future time when the people of Israel will be comforted and restored. The historical context of this verse is set during a period when the Israelites were either in exile or had recently returned to their homeland after a period of captivity in Babylon. The people were dealing with the devastation of their land, the destruction of their temple, and the loss of their national identity.
The verse itself conveys a message of hope and transformation. It promises that those who mourn in Zion—a reference to the people of Israel who are distressed over the desolation of their community and heritage—will experience a dramatic reversal of fortunes. The "beauty for ashes" signifies a replacement of mourning and repentance with joy and splendor. The "oil of joy for mourning" and the "garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness" further illustrate this transformation, with oil symbolizing celebration and anointing, and a festive garment symbolizing joy and honor, contrasting with the sackcloth of mourning.
The verse culminates with the imagery of the people being called "trees of righteousness," indicating that they will not only be restored but will also embody righteousness, standing firm and prospering like well-planted trees. This metaphor emphasizes stability, growth, and fruitfulness. They are described as "the planting of the LORD," suggesting that their restoration and righteousness are divinely ordained. The ultimate purpose of this transformation is "that he might be glorified," referring to the glorification of God through the redemption and sanctification of His people.
In summary, Isaiah 61:3 offers a prophetic vision of hope and renewal for the Israelites during a time of national despair. It foretells a future when their mourning will be turned into joy, their despair into praise, and their identity into one of righteousness. This will be a testament to God's power and faithfulness, bringing glory to His name. Christians later interpreted this passage as being fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who quoted part of Isaiah 61 at the beginning of his ministry, signaling the commencement of the fulfillment of these promises.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7760
There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שׂוּם
Transliteration: sûwm
Pronunciation: soom
Description: or שִׂים; a primitive root; to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. - Strong's Number: H57
There are 2044 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָבֵל
Transliteration: ʼâbêl
Pronunciation: aw-bale'
Description: from אָבַל; lamenting; mourn(-er, -ing). - Strong's Number: H6726
There are 154 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צִיּוֹן
Transliteration: Tsîyôwn
Pronunciation: tsee-yone'
Description: the same (regularly) as צִיּוּןlemma צִיוּן missing dagesh, corrected to צִיּוּן; Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem; Zion. - Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H6287
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פְּאֵר
Transliteration: pᵉʼêr
Pronunciation: peh-ayr'
Description: from פָּאַר; an embellishment, i.e. fancy head-dress; beauty, bonnet, goodly, ornament, tire. - Strong's Number: H665
There are 118 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵפֶר
Transliteration: ʼêpher
Pronunciation: ay'-fer
Description: from an unused root meaning to bestrew; ashes; ashes. - Strong's Number: H8081
There are 176 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁמֶן
Transliteration: shemen
Pronunciation: sheh'-men
Description: from שָׁמַן; grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness; anointing, [idiom] fat (things), [idiom] fruitful, oil(-ed), ointment, olive, [phrase] pine. - Strong's Number: H8342
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂשׂוֹן
Transliteration: sâsôwn
Pronunciation: saw-sone'
Description: or שָׂשֹׂן; from שׂוּשׂ; cheerfulness; specifically, welcome; gladness, joy, mirth, rejoicing. - Strong's Number: H60
There are 1725 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵבֶל
Transliteration: ʼêbel
Pronunciation: ay'-bel
Description: from אָבַל; lamentation; mourning. - Strong's Number: H4594
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַעֲטֶה
Transliteration: maʻăṭeh
Pronunciation: mah-at-eh'
Description: from עָטָה; a vestment; garment. - Strong's Number: H8416
There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תְּהִלָּה
Transliteration: tᵉhillâh
Pronunciation: teh-hil-law'
Description: from הָלַל; laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn; praise. - Strong's Number: H7307
There are 348 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רוּחַ
Transliteration: rûwach
Pronunciation: roo'-akh
Description: from רוּחַ; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions); air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). - Strong's Number: H3544
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֵּהֶה
Transliteration: kêheh
Pronunciation: kay-heh'
Description: from כָּהָה; feeble, obscure; somewhat dark, darkish, wax dim, heaviness, smoking. - Strong's Number: H7121
There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרָא
Transliteration: qârâʼ
Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. - Strong's Number: H352
There are 256 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַיִל
Transliteration: ʼayil
Pronunciation: ah'-yil
Description: from the same as אוּל; properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a ram (from his strength); a pilaster (as a strong support); an oak or other strong tree; mighty (man), lintel, oak, post, ram, tree. - Strong's Number: H6664
There are 109 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צֶדֶק
Transliteration: tsedeq
Pronunciation: tseh'-dek
Description: from צָדַק; the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity; [idiom] even, ([idiom] that which is altogether) just(-ice), (un-)right(-eous) (cause, -ly, -ness). - Strong's Number: H4302
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַטָּע
Transliteration: maṭṭâʻ
Pronunciation: mat-taw'
Description: from נָטַע; something planted, i.e. the place (a garden or vineyard), or the thing (a plant, figuratively or men); by implication, the act, planting; plant(-ation, -ing). - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H6286
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּאַר
Transliteration: pâʼar
Pronunciation: paw-ar'
Description: a primitive root; also denominative from פְּאֹרָה,; to gleam, i.e. (causatively) embellish; figuratively, to boast; also to explain (i.e. make clear) oneself; to shake a tree; beautify, boast self, go over the boughs, glorify (self), glory, vaunt self.