Isaiah 44:26

KJV

That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:

KJV (with Strong's)

That confirmeth {H6965} the word {H1697} of his servant {H5650}, and performeth {H7999} the counsel {H6098} of his messengers {H4397}; that saith {H559} to Jerusalem {H3389}, Thou shalt be inhabited {H3427}; and to the cities {H5892} of Judah {H3063}, Ye shall be built {H1129}, and I will raise up {H6965} the decayed places {H2723} thereof:

Complete Jewish Bible

I confirm my servants' prophecies and make my messengers' plans succeed. I say of Yerushalayim: 'She will be lived in,' of the cities of Y'hudah, 'They will be rebuilt; I will restore their ruins.'

Berean Standard Bible

who confirms the message of His servant and fulfills the counsel of His messengers, who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be inhabited,’ and of the cities of Judah, ‘They will be rebuilt, and I will restore their ruins,’

American Standard Version

that confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith of Jerusalem, She shall be inhabited; and of the cities of Judah, They shall be built, and I will raise up the waste places thereof;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 44:26 stands as a profound declaration of God's absolute sovereignty, unwavering faithfulness, and unique power to fulfill His prophetic word. It asserts that the Lord alone validates the messages of His chosen servants and messengers, bringing to pass their divinely inspired counsel. Specifically, this verse offers a tangible promise of restoration for Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, assuring their re-habitation and rebuilding after a period of desolation, thereby showcasing God's unparalleled control over history and His commitment to His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 44:26 is situated within the "Book of Comfort" (chapters 40-55) of Isaiah, a section primarily addressed to the exiled people of Judah, offering hope and reassurance of their future restoration. This particular verse immediately follows a powerful affirmation of Yahweh as the sole Creator and Redeemer, contrasting His omnipotence with the impotence of idols (Isaiah 44:9-20). The preceding verses (Isaiah 44:24-25) emphasize God's unique ability to "frustrate the tokens of the liars" and "make diviners mad," setting the stage for His positive declaration of confirming His own word. The verse then flows directly into the specific prophecy concerning Cyrus (Isaiah 44:28), who will be God's instrument in fulfilling these promises of rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple, highlighting the detailed and specific nature of God's prophetic plan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies in Isaiah 40-55 are set against the backdrop of the Babylonian exile, a period of immense national trauma and despair for the people of Judah. Jerusalem and its temple had been destroyed, and the population deported. In this context, the promises of rebuilding and re-habitation would have been incredibly significant, directly addressing the deep wounds of desolation and displacement. Culturally, the surrounding nations worshipped various gods and relied on diviners and astrologers for guidance, often seeking to manipulate divine favor. Isaiah's message emphatically distinguishes Yahweh from these false deities, asserting His unique power to declare the future and bring it to pass, a stark contrast to the unreliable oracles of pagan gods. The mention of "servant" and "messengers" refers to prophets, whose authority and message were often challenged; God's confirmation of their word serves to validate their divine commission in a time of spiritual uncertainty.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah. It underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence**, portraying God as the ultimate orchestrator of history, whose word is inherently effective and cannot fail. This theme is central to the entire "Book of Comfort," where God repeatedly asserts His unique control over all creation and human events, as seen in His declaration to "declare the end from the beginning" in [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning"). Another crucial theme is **Prophetic Validation and Fulfillment**, emphasizing that the true prophets speak God's very words, which He Himself guarantees to bring to fruition. This divine endorsement of prophetic ministry is a recurring motif, assuring the people that the messages of restoration are not mere human hopes but divine decrees. Finally, the verse clearly articulates the theme of **Restoration and Renewal**, offering a tangible vision of Jerusalem and Judah's return to prosperity and habitation, a promise that found its initial fulfillment in the post-exilic period, as detailed in books like [Ezra](/ezra/1 "Ezra 1 - The Return from Exile") and [Nehemiah](/nehemiah/2 "Nehemiah 2 - Nehemiah's Mission to Rebuild").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **confirmeth (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** From a primitive root meaning to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative). It conveys the sense of establishing, upholding, making good, or causing to stand up. In this context, it signifies God's active power to make His word stand firm, to establish its truth, and to bring it to pass with certainty.
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term is rich in meaning, encompassing not just spoken words but also matters, things, decrees, affairs, and even deeds. Here, it refers to the authoritative pronouncements and prophecies delivered by God's servants, carrying the weight of divine intention and the certainty of future action. It highlights the dynamic and effective nature of God's communication.
* **decayed places (Hebrew, _chorbâh'_):** Feminine in form, this word properly denotes drought, but by implication, it refers to a desolation, a desolate place, destruction, or a place laid waste. It vividly describes the ruined and uninhabited state of Jerusalem and the cities of Judah after the Babylonian destruction, emphasizing the extent of the devastation that God promises to reverse.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That confirmeth the word of his servant,"**: This clause emphasizes God's active role in validating and establishing the message spoken by His chosen prophet (singular, perhaps referring to Isaiah himself, or a generic true prophet). God does not merely inspire the word; He ensures its reliability and ultimate fulfillment.
* **"and performeth the counsel of his messengers;"**: Expanding on the previous thought, this phrase reiterates God's commitment to bringing to completion the plans and advice conveyed by His multiple emissaries. "Performeth" (from _shâlam_) implies making complete, finishing, or bringing to perfection, underscoring the certainty and thoroughness of divine execution.
* **"that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited;"**: Here, God's word becomes a direct, declarative promise to the devastated capital city. The declaration "Thou shalt be inhabited" directly counteracts the desolation, promising a return of its people and a resumption of life within its walls.
* **"and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built,"**: This extends the promise of restoration beyond Jerusalem to the broader region of Judah. The cities, which had also suffered destruction and abandonment, are assured of reconstruction, signifying a comprehensive national renewal.
* **"and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:"**: This final clause reinforces the promise of complete restoration. God explicitly states His intention to rebuild and elevate the ruins and desolate areas, demonstrating His power to reverse destruction and bring forth new life from what was once waste.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 44:26 employs several powerful literary devices. **Personification** is evident in the address to Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, treating them as entities capable of receiving direct commands and promises ("Thou shalt be inhabited," "Ye shall be built"). This makes the divine promise more intimate and direct. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, particularly synonymous parallelism, where the first two clauses ("confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers") convey a similar idea of divine validation and execution of prophetic messages through slightly different phrasing. Similarly, the promises for Jerusalem and the cities of Judah are parallel in their assurance of restoration. The use of strong, active verbs like "confirmeth," "performeth," "saith," and "raise up" creates a sense of **Divine Agency** and emphasizes God's direct and powerful involvement in bringing about these events. The imagery of "decayed places" being "raised up" creates a vivid **Contrast** between the current state of ruin and the promised future of renewal, highlighting the miraculous nature of God's restorative work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 44:26 is a cornerstone passage for understanding the nature of God's faithfulness and the reliability of His revealed word. It profoundly asserts that God's declarations are not mere predictions but divine decrees, carrying the inherent power to bring themselves to pass. This truth undergirds the entire biblical narrative, assuring believers that God is not only sovereign over all creation and history but also intimately involved in fulfilling His promises to His people. The verse establishes a critical link between divine speech and divine action, demonstrating that what God says, He does. This provides immense comfort and a firm foundation for faith, especially when circumstances seem to contradict His promises, reminding us that His ultimate plan for restoration and blessing will prevail.

* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man That He Should Lie")
* [Psalm 33:9](/psalms/33-9 "Psalm 33:9 - God Speaks, and It Is Done")
* [Jeremiah 1:12](/jeremiah/1-12 "Jeremiah 1:12 - God Watches Over His Word to Perform It")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 44:26 offers profound assurance for believers navigating a world often marked by uncertainty and broken promises. It reminds us that our God is fundamentally different from human leaders or false deities; He is utterly dependable. In moments of personal desolation, when our lives or circumstances feel like "decayed places," this verse calls us to remember that the same God who promised to rebuild Jerusalem is capable of bringing restoration and renewal into our own lives. It encourages us to trust in the unfailing nature of God's Word, knowing that every promise, every command, and every prophecy He has uttered will ultimately be confirmed and performed. This should inspire us to live with confident hope, to persevere in prayer, and to actively participate in God's restorative work in the world, knowing that His ultimate victory is guaranteed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's commitment to "confirming the word of his servant" and "performing the counsel of his messengers" strengthen your trust in the Bible as His authoritative Word?**
* **In what areas of your life do you currently see "decayed places" that need God's promise of being "raised up" or "built"?**
* **How does the sovereignty of God, as displayed in His ability to declare and fulfill the future, impact your perspective on current global events or personal challenges?**
* **What specific promises of God from Scripture can you cling to today, knowing that He is faithful to "confirm" and "perform" them?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of God confirming the "word of his servant" and "counsel of his messengers"?**

Answer: The significance lies in the validation of divine authority and the reliability of prophecy. In ancient Israel, prophets often faced skepticism or competition from false prophets. By declaring that He "confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers," God is unequivocally endorsing the messages delivered by His true prophets. This means that their words are not merely human opinions or predictions, but divinely inspired decrees that God Himself guarantees to bring to pass. It assures the audience that the promises of restoration, like those for Jerusalem and Judah, are not empty hopes but certainties because they originate from and are upheld by the omnipotent God. This also underscores the unique nature of Israel's God, who unlike pagan deities, declares the future and then sovereignly brings it about, as emphasized in [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning").

**How was the promise of Jerusalem and Judah being "inhabited" and "built" fulfilled?**

Answer: This prophecy found its primary historical fulfillment after the Babylonian exile. Following the decree of Cyrus the Great in 538 BC (foretold in [Isaiah 44:28](/isaiah/44-28 "Isaiah 44:28 - Cyrus as God's Shepherd") and recorded in [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree")), the Jewish exiles were permitted to return to their homeland. Over several decades, under the leadership of figures like Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, Jerusalem's temple was rebuilt ([Ezra 3](/ezra/3 "Ezra 3 - Rebuilding the Altar and Temple Foundation")), its walls were reconstructed ([Nehemiah 2:17](/nehemiah/2-17 "Nehemiah 2:17 - Nehemiah's Call to Rebuild Jerusalem's Walls")), and the city and surrounding towns were repopulated. This physical restoration served as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness to His prophetic word, literally raising up the "decayed places" of Judah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 44:26 speaks directly to the physical restoration of Jerusalem and Judah after the Babylonian exile, its deeper Christ-centered fulfillment points to the ultimate and spiritual restoration accomplished through Jesus Christ. The "word of his servant" and "counsel of his messengers" find their supreme confirmation in the person and work of Jesus, who is the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King. He is the very "Word made flesh" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), through whom all God's promises are "Yes" and "Amen" ([2-corinthians/1-20](/2-corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Just as God promised to rebuild the physical cities, Christ came to rebuild and inhabit the desolate places of the human heart, establishing His spiritual kingdom. Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, He raises up those who are spiritually "decayed" by sin, transforming them into "new creations" ([2-corinthians/5-17](/2-corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). The promise that Jerusalem "shall be inhabited" finds its eschatological echo in the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city where God dwells with His redeemed people forever ([Revelation 21:2-3](/revelation/21-2 "Revelation 21:2 - The New Jerusalem Descends")). Thus, Isaiah 44:26 foreshadows not only a physical return from exile but the grander, spiritual restoration and new creation inaugurated by Christ, culminating in eternal fellowship with God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 42:9

Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

1 Kings 18:36

And it came to pass at [the time of] the offering of the [evening] sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou [art] God in Israel, and [that] I [am] thy servant, and [that] I have done all these things at thy word.

1 Kings 18:38

Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that [was] in the trench.

Nehemiah 1:3

And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province [are] in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also [is] broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

2 Peter 1:19

¶ We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

2 Peter 1:21

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:25

For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: