Isaiah 49:19

For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away.

For thy waste {H2723} and thy desolate places {H8074}, and the land {H776} of thy destruction {H2035}, shall even now be too narrow {H3334} by reason of the inhabitants {H3427}, and they that swallowed thee up {H1104} shall be far away {H7368}.

For your desolate places and ruins and your devastated land will be too cramped for those living in it; your devourers will be far away.

For your ruined and desolate places and your ravaged land will now indeed be too small for your people, and those who devoured you will be far away.

For, as for thy waste and thy desolate places, and thy land that hath been destroyed, surely now shalt thou be too strait for the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away.

Commentary on Isaiah 49:19 (KJV)

Isaiah 49:19 is a powerful prophecy of divine restoration and abundance for Israel, particularly for Jerusalem (often symbolized as Zion). This verse speaks directly to a people experiencing immense suffering and desolation, offering a vision of radical transformation.

Context

This verse is part of the "Book of Comfort" within Isaiah (chapters 40-66), which provides hope and promises of restoration to the Israelites during and after their Babylonian exile. Following the devastation of Jerusalem and the land of Judah, God, through the prophet Isaiah, reassures His people that their suffering is not permanent and that His covenant promises remain steadfast. The preceding verses in Chapter 49 emphasize God's unwavering remembrance of Zion, even when she felt forgotten, echoing the sentiment of Isaiah 49:15 where God declares He cannot forget His children.

Key Themes

  • Divine Restoration: The verse promises a complete reversal of fortune. What was once "waste and desolate places" and "land of destruction" will be transformed into a vibrant, inhabited area. This highlights God's power to bring life out of ruin.
  • Abundant Growth and Repopulation: The phrase "shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants" vividly depicts a massive return and increase of people. This signifies a flourishing community, so numerous that the previously ruined land cannot contain them. This echoes the broader prophetic theme of enlarging the tent to accommodate growth.
  • Liberation from Oppressors: "And they that swallowed thee up shall be far away" assures the end of foreign domination and oppression. This speaks to God's justice and His commitment to delivering His people from those who sought to destroy them. It signifies not just physical return but also security and freedom.
  • God's Faithfulness: Underlying this prophecy is the unwavering faithfulness of God to His promises and His people, even when their circumstances seem hopeless.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "waste" or "desolate places" is ḥorvot (חָרְבוֹת), which strongly conveys a sense of utter ruin and devastation, often referring to destroyed cities. The imagery of the land being "too narrow" (צַר - tzar) for the inhabitants is a powerful paradox: from extreme emptiness to overflowing capacity. This emphasizes the miraculous nature of God's restorative work.

Practical Application

Isaiah 49:19 offers profound hope and encouragement for believers today. Just as God promised to restore a desolate Israel, He can bring restoration to our own "waste and desolate places"—areas of our lives marked by past failures, hurts, or spiritual barrenness. This verse reminds us:

  • Hope in Desolation: Even when circumstances seem utterly bleak and destructive, God has the power to transform and rebuild.
  • God's Abundance: He can bring forth unexpected growth and blessing where there was once scarcity. Our capacity for joy, peace, and purpose can expand beyond what we imagine.
  • Deliverance from Oppression: Whether from external forces or internal struggles, God promises ultimate deliverance and freedom from anything that seeks to "swallow us up." This can apply to spiritual battles against the enemy or overcoming personal strongholds.
  • Divine Faithfulness: God's promises are sure. We can trust in His unwavering commitment to His children and His ultimate plan for their good, leading to a glorious future, much like the future glory promised to Zion.
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.

  • Zechariah 10:10

    I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and [place] shall not be found for them.

  • Isaiah 54:1

    ¶ Sing, O barren, thou [that] didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou [that] didst not travail with child: for more [are] the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.

  • Isaiah 54:2

    Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;

  • Jeremiah 30:18

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof.

  • Jeremiah 30:19

    And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

  • Psalms 56:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

  • Psalms 56:2

    Mine enemies would daily swallow [me] up: for [they be] many that fight against me, O thou most High.

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