Isaiah 54:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Sing {H7442}, O barren {H6135}, thou that didst not bear {H3205}; break forth {H6476} into singing {H7440}, and cry aloud {H6670}, thou that didst not travail with child {H2342}: for more {H7227} are the children {H1121} of the desolate {H8074} than the children {H1121} of the married wife {H1166}, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Sing, barren woman who has never had a child! Burst into song, shout for joy, you who have never been in labor! For the deserted wife will have more children than the woman who is living with her husband," says ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

“Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD.

American Standard Version

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 Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 54:1 serves as a vibrant prophetic declaration of God's transformative power and boundless grace, addressed to a people experiencing profound desolation and perceived barrenness. Following the redemptive suffering of the Servant in the preceding chapter, this verse launches a glorious vision of restoration, promising an unprecedented expansion and fruitfulness for Jerusalem, personified as a childless woman. It is a divine command to rejoice in anticipation of a miraculous reversal, where the desolate will experience a greater abundance of "children" than those who seem to be in a state of natural fertility and stability.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 54:1 marks a pivotal transition within the book of Isaiah, specifically opening the "Book of Comfort" (chapters 40-66) and following the profound revelation of the Suffering Servant in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). While [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant") details the atoning sacrifice and humiliation of the Servant, [Isaiah 54](/isaiah/54 "Isaiah 54 - The Barren Made Fruitful") immediately shifts to the glorious, expansive results of that suffering. The "barren woman" here is understood to be Zion, or Jerusalem, representing the covenant community of Israel, which had experienced the desolation of exile and felt abandoned and unproductive. This chapter, and indeed the entire section from [Isaiah 49-55](/isaiah/49 "Isaiah 49-55 - God's Deliverance and Restoration"), emphasizes God's unwavering commitment to restore His people, promising a future far grander than their past suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for this prophecy is the Babylonian exile, a period of immense national trauma for Judah. Jerusalem had been destroyed, the temple razed, and many of its inhabitants deported, leading to a profound sense of humiliation, barrenness, and hopelessness. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, and particularly in Israelite society, barrenness was a significant source of shame and sorrow for a woman, often perceived as a divine curse or a sign of disfavor. Conversely, a large family was a sign of blessing and prosperity. The "married wife" in the verse likely refers to nations or peoples who seemed to enjoy stability, progeny, and divine favor, in stark contrast to the seemingly desolate and childless Israel. The command to "sing" and "cry aloud" to the barren is therefore a radical, counter-intuitive call to faith and joy in the face of apparent impossibility, anticipating a supernatural intervention that defies cultural norms and historical realities.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several profound theological themes central to Isaiah's message of comfort and restoration. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Reversal**, where God transforms what is humanly impossible—barrenness into abundant fruitfulness—demonstrating His sovereign power and faithfulness. It offers profound **Hope for the Desolate**, assuring those who feel abandoned, unproductive, or shamed that God sees their plight and promises a future of flourishing. This promise extends beyond physical descendants to **Spiritual Expansion**, as later interpreted in the New Testament, particularly by Paul, who applies this prophecy to the church, the heavenly Jerusalem, which includes both Jew and Gentile believers ([Galatians 4:27](/galatians/4-27 "Galatians 4:27 - Paul's Application of Isaiah 54:1 to the Church")). This highlights the boundless nature of God's family and the inclusion of those previously considered "outsiders." Finally, the verse powerfully underscores **God's Unwavering Faithfulness** to His covenant promises, even when His people have suffered greatly or been unfaithful, affirming that His redemptive purposes will ultimately prevail.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Barren (Hebrew, _ʻâqâr'_):** From H6135, this term refers to someone who is sterile, specifically a "barren (woman)." It conveys the idea of being unable to bear offspring, implying a state of unproductivity and often, in ancient contexts, a social stigma or perceived divine disfavor. In Isaiah 54:1, it personifies Jerusalem/Israel in its desolate state, feeling unable to produce spiritual or physical descendants.
* **Travail with child (Hebrew, _chûwl'_):** From H2342, this root word means "to twist or whirl," specifically "to writhe in pain (especially of parturition)." It describes the intense pain and effort associated with childbirth. The phrase "didst not travail with child" emphasizes that the "barren" woman has never experienced the process of giving birth, underscoring her complete lack of offspring and the miraculous nature of the promised fruitfulness.
* **Desolate (Hebrew, _shâmêm'_):** From H8074, this word means "to stun," "grow numb," "devastate," or "stupefy." It is often used to describe places that are laid waste, deserted, or astonished. In the context of the "children of the desolate," it refers to those who are in a state of ruin, abandonment, or emptiness, reinforcing the imagery of a city or people that has suffered immense destruction and loss, yet is promised abundant progeny.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child:":** This is a powerful, repeated imperative, a divine command for radical joy. The "barren" woman, representing Jerusalem/Israel in its post-exilic desolation, is commanded to do the very thing that seems illogical given her condition—to sing and shout for joy. The repetition emphasizes her complete lack of past fruitfulness ("didst not bear," "didst not travail with child"), making the forthcoming joy entirely a result of God's miraculous intervention, not her own efforts or prior success. It's a call to praise in faith, before the fulfillment is seen.
* **"for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.":** This clause provides the astounding reason for the command to rejoice. The "desolate" woman (again, Jerusalem/Israel) is promised a greater number of "children" than the "married wife," who represents a nation or people seemingly stable, fertile, and naturally productive. This is a promise of overwhelming, supernatural fruitfulness that surpasses natural expectations and even the prosperity of others. The phrase "saith the LORD" (H3068 Yᵉhôvâh, H559 ʼâmar) underscores the divine authority and certainty of this promise, guaranteeing its fulfillment by the self-existent and eternal God.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 54:1 is rich with **Personification**, as Jerusalem or the covenant community is depicted as a "barren woman" and later as "desolate," giving human attributes to an abstract entity or city. This creates a relatable and poignant image of suffering and hope. The central image of "barrenness" serves as a powerful **Metaphor** for the perceived desolation, lack of growth, and humiliation experienced by Israel during and after the exile. The command to "Sing" and "cry aloud" is an **Imperative Mood**, a direct and forceful divine instruction that demands an immediate, faith-filled response, even when circumstances seem to contradict the command. The statement "more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife" employs **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extraordinary and miraculous nature of the promised abundance, surpassing all natural expectations. Finally, the verse is built on stark **Contrast** between barrenness and fruitfulness, desolation and abundance, the childless and the prolific, highlighting God's power to reverse humanly impossible situations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 54:1 stands as a profound testament to God's redemptive power, echoing themes of divine reversal and the fulfillment of seemingly impossible promises throughout biblical history. It foreshadows the expansive nature of God's kingdom, where spiritual fruitfulness transcends natural limitations and societal expectations. The promise of abundant "children" to the desolate speaks to God's ability to bring life out of death, hope out of despair, and glory out of humiliation, ultimately pointing to a new covenant reality where God's family grows exponentially, not by physical lineage, but by spiritual rebirth. This divine promise underscores that God's faithfulness is not contingent on human merit or circumstance, but on His unchanging character and sovereign plan.

* [Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "God's Promise of Countless Descendants to Abraham")
* [Romans 4:17](/romans/4-17 "God Who Gives Life to the Dead")
* [Galatians 4:27](/galatians/4-27 "Paul's Application of Isaiah 54:1 to the Church")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, Isaiah 54:1 offers a profound wellspring of encouragement and a powerful call to faith. If we find ourselves in seasons of spiritual barrenness, feeling unproductive, overlooked, or desolate in our circumstances, this verse assures us that God sees our plight and promises a radical transformation. It challenges us to look beyond our present limitations and perceived failures, to embrace a divine perspective where God's plans for His people are always grander and more abundant than we can imagine. We are called to respond with anticipatory praise and joy, trusting that God is faithful to His promises, and that His kingdom will expand through us and around us in unexpected and miraculous ways, bringing forth spiritual children from places we might deem impossible. This passage reminds us that our fruitfulness is ultimately a work of God's grace, not solely our effort.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or ministry do you feel a sense of barrenness or desolation?**
* **How does the command to "sing" and "cry aloud" in the midst of barrenness challenge your natural inclination to despair or wait for circumstances to change?**
* **What "impossible" promise from God are you being called to believe and rejoice over, even before its visible fulfillment?**
* **How might God be calling you to participate in His work of bringing forth "children" from unexpected places, whether in your community or globally?**

### FAQ
**Who is the "barren woman" in Isaiah 54:1, and how does this prophecy apply beyond ancient Israel?**

Answer: The "barren woman" primarily refers to Jerusalem or the covenant community of Israel, particularly in its desolate state during and after the Babylonian exile. It symbolizes a people who felt unproductive, humiliated, and without hope of future generations. However, the prophecy has a profound spiritual and eschatological fulfillment. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul explicitly applies this verse to the church in [Galatians 4:27](/galatians/4-27 "Paul's Application of Isaiah 54:1"), interpreting the "barren woman" as the "Jerusalem above," which is the mother of all believers, encompassing both Jews and Gentiles who come to faith in Christ. This signifies that God's family would expand far beyond the physical descendants of Abraham, welcoming countless spiritual children from all nations, a greater multitude than those born under the old covenant.

**What does it mean that "more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife"?**

Answer: This statement highlights the miraculous and supernatural nature of God's promise. The "married wife" represents a nation or people who are naturally fertile, stable, and expected to produce many offspring. The "desolate" woman, in contrast, is barren and seemingly without hope. The prophecy declares that the "children" (descendants, followers, spiritual offspring) of the desolate will far outnumber those of the naturally productive. This signifies that God's future work of restoration and expansion will defy all human expectations and natural limitations. It points to a spiritual abundance that surpasses any earthly prosperity, emphasizing God's power to bring forth life and fruitfulness from what appears to be dead or unproductive, particularly through the inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant family of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 54:1 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "barrenness" and "desolation" of God's people, often a consequence of their sin and separation from God, are directly addressed and overcome by the suffering and sacrifice of the Servant described in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). Christ, through His atoning death and triumphant resurrection, bore the desolation and barrenness of humanity, effectively making a way for spiritual fruitfulness. The "children" promised to the desolate are those who are brought into God's family through faith in Jesus. He is the true "seed" ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed of Abraham is Christ")) through whom all nations are blessed. The expansion of God's family, far outnumbering those under the old covenant, is realized through the New Covenant established in Christ's blood, which breaks down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Breaks Down the Dividing Wall")). Those who "receive Him" are given the right to become "children of God" ([John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Becoming Children of God")), born not of natural descent but of God's Spirit. Thus, the church, the body of Christ, becomes the "children of the desolate," experiencing an unprecedented spiritual fruitfulness and global expansion that testifies to the power of Christ's finished work, transforming spiritual barrenness into abundant life and joy.

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

Galatians 4:27

For it is written, Rejoice, [thou] barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

Isaiah 62:4

Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.

1 Samuel 2:5

[They that were] full have hired out themselves for bread; and [they that were] hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

Hebrews 11:11

Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

Hebrews 11:12

Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, [so many] as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

Zechariah 9:9

¶ Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he [is] just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Psalms 113:9

He maketh the barren woman to keep house, [and to be] a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.