Isaiah 26:19

Thy dead [men] shall live, [together with] my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew [is as] the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

Thy dead {H4191} men shall live {H2421}, together with my dead body {H5038} shall they arise {H6965}. Awake {H6974} and sing {H7442}, ye that dwell {H7931} in dust {H6083}: for thy dew {H2919} is as the dew {H2919} of herbs {H219}, and the earth {H776} shall cast out {H5307} the dead {H7496}.

Your dead will live, my corpses will rise; awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust; for your dew is like the morning dew, and the earth will bring the ghosts to life.

Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead.

Thy dead shall live; my dead bodies shall arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust; for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast forth the dead.

Isaiah 26:19 is a profound prophetic declaration, offering a powerful message of resurrection and hope in the midst of a broader context of judgment and salvation.

Context

This verse is part of a prophetic song or oracle found in Isaiah chapters 24-27, often referred to as Isaiah's "Little Apocalypse." This section describes God's universal judgment on the earth and its inhabitants, followed by the restoration and blessing of His people. Chapter 26 specifically focuses on the song of salvation sung by the righteous in the day of the Lord, celebrating God's deliverance and just rule. Amidst prophecies of destruction and divine wrath, this verse shines as a beacon of future life and triumph over death for God's faithful.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Resurrection of the Dead: The central and most striking theme is the explicit promise that "Thy dead men shall live... shall they arise." This is one of the clearest Old Testament declarations of a bodily resurrection, offering hope beyond mortal existence. It speaks to God's ultimate power to conquer death itself.
  • Divine Sovereignty Over Life and Death: God is presented as the one who has ultimate authority, capable of bringing life even from the grave. The imagery of "dew" as life-giving rain causing "the earth shall cast out the dead" vividly portrays His life-restoring power.
  • Hope and Joy for the Righteous: The command to "Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust" transforms the mournful imagery of death into one of joyful anticipation. This resurrection is a cause for celebration for those who have trusted in the Lord.
  • Restoration and New Life: Beyond individual resurrection, the passage implies a broader restoration for God's people, symbolizing a new era of life and blessing under His reign.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "Thy dead men shall live" (מֵתֶיךָ יִחְיוּ - meteykha yichyu) and "my dead body shall they arise" (נִבְלָתִי יְקוּמוּן - nivlati yequmun) is highly significant. The term nivlati typically refers to a corpse or carcass. The KJV's addition of "[together with]" clarifies the relationship, suggesting that the "dead men" will rise alongside what is here called "my dead body." This "my dead body" is often interpreted as referring to the collective body of Israel, dead in exile or national affliction, which God promises to revive. Alternatively, some scholars see it as a direct reference to the individual deceased bodies of the faithful being raised. The phrase "dew of herbs" (טַל אוֹרֹת - tal orot) is also interesting; orot can mean 'lights' or 'herbs/plants', signifying a life-giving, illuminating, or refreshing dew that brings forth new life, much like dew causes plants to sprout.

Related Scriptures

  • This powerful declaration of resurrection finds echoes in later biblical texts, such as Daniel 12:2, which speaks of many who sleep in the dust of the earth awakening.
  • Jesus Himself affirmed the resurrection, declaring that the hour is coming when all who are in the graves shall hear His voice and come forth (John 5:28-29).
  • The apostle Paul extensively discusses the resurrection of believers, emphasizing its certainty and nature in 1 Corinthians 15, particularly the promise of a transformed body.
  • The promise of God's Spirit bringing life is also seen in Romans 8:11.

Practical Application

Isaiah 26:19 offers immense comfort and profound hope to believers today. It assures us that death is not the final word for those who belong to God. It reinforces the Christian belief in an afterlife and the ultimate victory of God over sin and death. This verse encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our ultimate destiny is not the grave but a resurrected life with God. It calls us to "Awake and sing," living joyful lives of worship and anticipation, even amidst present trials, because of the glorious future God has prepared.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Daniel 12:2

    And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame [and] everlasting contempt.

  • Ezekiel 37:1

    ¶ The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which [was] full of bones,

  • Ezekiel 37:14

    And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken [it], and performed [it], saith the LORD.

  • Matthew 27:52

    And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

  • Ephesians 5:14

    Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

  • Hosea 13:14

    I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

  • Hosea 6:2

    After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.

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