Isaiah 62:8

The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn [to be] meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:

The LORD {H3068} hath sworn {H7650} by his right hand {H3225}, and by the arm {H2220} of his strength {H5797}, Surely I will {H518} no more give {H5414} thy corn {H1715} to be meat {H3978} for thine enemies {H341}; and the sons {H1121} of the stranger {H5236} shall not drink {H8354} thy wine {H8492}, for the which thou hast laboured {H3021}:

ADONAI has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: "Never again will I give your grain to your enemies as food; nor will strangers drink your wine, for which you worked so hard;

The LORD has sworn by His right hand and by His mighty arm: “Never again will I give your grain to your enemies for food, nor will foreigners drink the new wine for which you have toiled.

Jehovah hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy grain to be food for thine enemies; and foreigners shall not drink thy new wine, for which thou hast labored:

Isaiah 62:8 presents a powerful divine oath, emphasizing God's unwavering commitment to His people, Judah (Zion), promising an end to their long-suffered oppression and exploitation. This verse serves as a beacon of hope, assuring a future where the fruit of their labor will finally be enjoyed by them, not by foreign invaders.

Context

Chapter 62 of Isaiah is part of a larger prophetic section (chapters 60-62) that paints a glorious picture of Jerusalem's future restoration and exaltation. Following periods of judgment and exile, the prophet Isaiah looks forward to a time when Zion will be redeemed, glorified, and recognized by all nations. This particular verse addresses the deep pain of Israel's history, where their land and resources were frequently plundered by conquering armies. God's solemn promise here is a direct response to their suffering, guaranteeing an end to this cycle of loss and humiliation, and ushering in an era of peace and prosperity for His chosen city.

Key Themes

  • Divine Oath and Unwavering Commitment: The phrase "The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength" signifies an unbreakable, irreversible promise. God binds Himself by His own power and authority, emphasizing the certainty of His word. His "right hand" and "arm of strength" are biblical metaphors for His omnipotence and ability to execute His will. This highlights the absolute reliability of God's covenant promises.
  • End of Exploitation and Restoration of Prosperity: The core of the promise is that their "corn" (grain) and "wine" (representing agricultural produce, sustenance, and joy) will no longer be consumed by "enemies" or "sons of the stranger" (foreigners, invaders). For a predominantly agrarian society, this promise meant economic security and the enjoyment of the fruits of their hard work, symbolizing a complete reversal of their fortunes from plunder to abundance.
  • God's Justice and Faithfulness: This verse underscores God's character as a just God who sees the affliction of His people and acts to rectify wrongs. It is a testament to His faithfulness to His covenant, ensuring that the labor of His people will not be in vain but will yield blessings for them.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength" (bi-yemino u-vizroa' uzo) powerfully conveys the idea of God's personal, absolute, and unchallengeable commitment. The "right hand" (yamin) in Hebrew culture often symbolized power, authority, and blessing, while the "arm of strength" (zeroa' oz) points to His irresistible might. This isn't merely a casual promise; it's an oath sealed by the very essence of God's omnipotence.

Related Scriptures

This promise of an end to foreign domination and the enjoyment of one's own labor echoes similar themes found elsewhere in Scripture. For instance, the blessing of enjoying the fruit of one's labor is a hallmark of God's covenant blessings, contrasting with the curse of enemies consuming one's harvest (Deuteronomy 28:33). The broader theme of Zion's restoration and glory is central to Isaiah's later chapters, promising a time when Jerusalem will be a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62:7).

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 62:8 offers profound encouragement. While the immediate context was for ancient Israel, the underlying principles are timeless. It speaks to God's unwavering commitment to His people, His justice in rectifying wrongs, and His promise of ultimate blessing and security. In times of personal struggle, economic hardship, or feeling exploited, this verse reminds us that God sees our labor and suffering. He is faithful to His promises and will ultimately bring about a time of peace, abundance, and the enjoyment of our blessings. It assures us that God is actively working to bring about His kingdom, where justice will prevail and His people will dwell in security and joy, a future hope described also in the promise of no more tears in the new creation.

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.

  • Isaiah 65:21

    And they shall build houses, and inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.

  • Isaiah 65:23

    They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they [are] the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.

  • Judges 6:3

    And [so] it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;

  • Judges 6:6

    And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.

  • Deuteronomy 28:33

    The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway:

  • Deuteronomy 28:31

    Thine ox [shall be] slain before thine eyes, and thou shalt not eat thereof: thine ass [shall be] violently taken away from before thy face, and shall not be restored to thee: thy sheep [shall be] given unto thine enemies, and thou shalt have none to rescue [them].

  • Ezekiel 20:5

    ¶ And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I [am] the LORD your God;

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