And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,
And it shall come to pass in the day {H3117} that the LORD {H3068} shall give thee rest {H5117} from thy sorrow {H6090}, and from thy fear {H7267}, and from the hard {H7186} bondage {H5656} wherein thou wast made to serve {H5647},
Then, when ADONAI gives you rest from your suffering and trouble and from the hard service imposed on you,
On the day that the LORD gives you rest from your pain and torment, and from the hard labor into which you were forced,
And it shall come to pass in the day that Jehovah shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy trouble, and from the hard service wherein thou wast made to serve,
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Jeremiah 30:10
¶ Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make [him] afraid. -
Ezra 9:8
And now for a little space grace hath been [shewed] from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. -
Ezra 9:9
For we [were] bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem. -
Isaiah 32:18
And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places; -
Zechariah 8:8
And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness. -
Ezekiel 28:24
And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor [any] grieving thorn of all [that are] round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD. -
Deuteronomy 28:65
And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:
Isaiah 14:3 KJV is a powerful prophetic declaration of God's future deliverance for His people, Israel, specifically after the oppressive reign of Babylon. This verse offers a profound message of hope and restoration, promising an end to suffering and servitude.
Context of Isaiah 14:3
This verse is part of a larger oracle against Babylon, which begins in Isaiah chapter 13. Following the detailed judgment pronounced upon the Babylonian empire and its proud king, Isaiah 14:1-2 speaks of the LORD's compassion for Jacob and Israel, foretelling their return to their land and their reversal of fortunes over their former captors. Verse 3 then describes the blessed state of peace and freedom that will follow this divine intervention, marking the end of a period of intense suffering under foreign rule. It anticipates the joy and relief that will accompany the liberation from the Babylonian captivity.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "rest" here is menuchah (מְנוּחָה), which signifies more than just cessation of labor; it implies a state of peace, tranquility, security, and settledness. It's the kind of rest that comes after a long period of turmoil and struggle. The terms "sorrow" (otzvech) and "fear" (pahdech) convey deep emotional and mental anguish, while "hard bondage" (avodah qashah) clearly points to severe, oppressive servitude, reminiscent of the slavery experienced in Egypt.
Practical Application
While historically referring to Israel's release from Babylonian captivity, Isaiah 14:3 offers timeless encouragement for all believers. It reminds us that God is sovereign over all circumstances and that periods of hardship, fear, and metaphorical "bondage" are not permanent. For those experiencing deep sorrow, anxiety, or oppressive situations, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that the Lord promises a future "rest." This can be a spiritual rest from the burden of sin and legalism, as invited by Jesus in Matthew 11:28, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." It assures us that God sees our suffering and, in His perfect timing, will provide relief and ultimate deliverance, leading us into a state of peace and security.