Isaiah 64:10

KJV

Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thy holy {H6944} cities {H5892} are a wilderness {H4057}, Zion {H6726} is a wilderness {H4057}, Jerusalem {H3389} a desolation {H8077}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Your holy cities have become a desert, Tziyon a desert, Yerushalayim a ruin.

Berean Standard Bible

Your holy cities have become a wilderness. Zion has become a wasteland and Jerusalem a desolation.

American Standard Version

Thy holy cities are become a wilderness, Zion is become a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 64:10 encapsulates a profound national lament and confession, painting a stark picture of the devastating consequences of Israel's covenant unfaithfulness. Through the prophet's voice, the people acknowledge the utter ruin of their sacred spaces—Jerusalem and Zion—which, once vibrant symbols of God's presence and blessing, have been reduced to a desolate wilderness. This verse serves as a poignant testament to divine judgment, reflecting the deep anguish and spiritual brokenness experienced during a period of profound national suffering, most likely the Babylonian exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 64:10 is deeply embedded within a powerful prayer of corporate confession and lament that spans [Isaiah 63:7 through 64:12](/isaiah/63-7-64-12 "Isaiah 63:7-64:12 - A Prayer of Lament and Confession"). This section marks a significant shift in tone within the book of Isaiah, moving from earlier pronouncements of judgment or future hope to a heartfelt outpouring of the nation's anguish. The verses immediately preceding this one express a desperate longing for God's powerful intervention, recalling His mighty acts in the past, and a humble confession of the people's pervasive sinfulness, setting the somber stage for the graphic depiction of desolation in verse 10. The prayer culminates in a fervent plea for God to remember His covenant people and not to utterly destroy them, even in their ruined and desolate state, anticipating the themes of future restoration found in later chapters of Isaiah.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of desolation in Isaiah 64:10 vividly reflects the historical catastrophe of the Babylonian invasion and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple in 586 BC. For the ancient Israelites, Jerusalem, and specifically Mount Zion, was far more than a political capital; it was the spiritual heart of their nation, chosen by God as the place for His dwelling among His people ([Psalm 132:13-14](/psalm/132-13-14 "Psalm 132:13-14 - God's Choice of Zion")). The Temple was the focal point of their worship, the tangible symbol of God's covenant presence, and the place where atonement was made. Its destruction, along with the city's ruin and the forced exile of its inhabitants, was an unparalleled catastrophe. This event signified a profound breach in the covenant relationship, a direct consequence of generations of idolatry, injustice, and disobedience, as warned extensively in the Mosaic Law ([Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Consequences of Disobedience")). The cultural shock and spiritual crisis of witnessing their "holy cities" become a "wilderness" would have been immense, challenging their understanding of God's faithfulness and their very identity as His chosen people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Isaiah and the broader prophetic tradition. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment and its Consequences**, illustrating that God's holiness and justice demand a response to persistent sin, even from His chosen people. The desolation is not arbitrary but a just outcome of covenant unfaithfulness. Closely linked is the theme of **Lament and Confession**, as the people, through the prophet, acknowledge their corporate guilt and express profound sorrow over their ruined state. This lament is a crucial, necessary step towards repentance and, ultimately, restoration. Furthermore, the verse highlights the **Significance of Sacred Space** and its vulnerability. The transformation of "holy cities" into a "wilderness" underscores the truth that even God's chosen places are not immune to the effects of sin and judgment, particularly when the people inhabiting them violate the covenant. Yet, even within this deep lament, there is an implicit theme of **Hope for Restoration**, as the very act of crying out to God in confession anticipates His mercy and future intervention, a hope that permeates later sections of Isaiah, particularly in the promises of a new heavens and new earth ([Isaiah 65:17-25](/isaiah/65-17-25 "Isaiah 65:17-25 - New Heavens and New Earth")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **holy (Hebrew, _qôdesh'_):** This term signifies that which is set apart, consecrated, or dedicated to God, implying purity, sanctity, and divine presence. The phrase "Thy holy cities" emphasizes that these places—Jerusalem and Zion—were not merely geographical locations but were divinely designated and consecrated, meant to be distinct and dedicated to the Lord. Their transformation into a wilderness therefore represents a profound desecration and loss of their sacred status, a consequence of the people's unholiness and the withdrawal of God's manifest presence.
* **wilderness (Hebrew, _midbâr'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to drive," this word refers to a pasture or open field where cattle are driven, and by implication, a desert or uninhabited region. In this context, it vividly portrays the emptiness, barrenness, and lack of life that has overtaken the once-vibrant and populated cities. It suggests a return to a primordial, uncultivated state, contrasting sharply with the expected flourishing of a divinely blessed city. The repetition of "wilderness" underscores the completeness and pervasive nature of the desolation, implying abandonment by both God and humanity.
* **desolation (Hebrew, _shᵉmâmâh'_):** This strong feminine noun denotes utter devastation, ruin, and abandonment, often carrying the connotation of astonishment or horror at the extent of the destruction. It suggests that Jerusalem has been laid waste, left uninhabited, and is in a state of complete disrepair. Unlike "wilderness" which can imply natural barrenness, "desolation" explicitly points to the result of destructive forces, often divine judgment, leaving a place uninhabitable and a monument to ruin. It conveys a sense of utter destruction that elicits shock and grief.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thy holy cities are a wilderness":** This opening clause sets the scene of widespread devastation, encompassing not just Jerusalem but potentially other significant towns in Judah that were considered sacred due to their association with God's covenant people and their religious practices. The declaration that they "are a wilderness" immediately establishes a stark and tragic contrast between their former sacred, inhabited, and flourishing state and their current barren, uninhabited condition, signaling a profound loss of divine favor and human flourishing.
* **"Zion is a wilderness":** This clause narrows and intensifies the focus, specifically naming Zion, which is often used synonymously with Jerusalem, particularly its elevated, fortified part where the Temple stood. The repetition of "is a wilderness" reinforces the severity and totality of the destruction. By singling out Zion, the spiritual and governmental heart of the nation, the prophet emphasizes that even the most sacred and central place has not been spared from the desolation, highlighting the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the judgment.
* **"Jerusalem a desolation":** This final clause further intensifies the lament, explicitly naming Jerusalem and employing the even stronger term "desolation." While "wilderness" suggests emptiness and natural barrenness, "desolation" implies utter ruin, abandonment, and a state of being laid waste, often due to destructive human or divine action. This progression from "holy cities" to "Zion" to "Jerusalem" and from "wilderness" to "desolation" creates a powerful crescendo of sorrow and emphasizes the complete and irreversible nature of the destruction from a human perspective, a direct and righteous consequence of God's judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 64:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of profound sorrow and ruin. **Parallelism** is powerfully evident throughout the verse, particularly through synonymous parallelism in "Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness," which reiterates and reinforces the pervasive nature of the desolation. This is followed by an intensifying parallelism in "Jerusalem a desolation," where "desolation" is a stronger, more absolute term than "wilderness," escalating the sense of utter ruin. The **Repetition** of "wilderness" (Hebrew: _midbâr_) serves to underscore the emptiness, barrenness, and abandonment, hammering home the stark reality of the loss. The imagery itself is a form of **Metaphor** and **Hyperbole**, transforming once-vibrant, inhabited cities into a "wilderness" and "desolation," directly comparing their ruined state to uninhabited, desolate landscapes, thereby exaggerating the extent of the destruction to convey the immense grief. The description also carries a strong sense of **Pathos**, evoking deep sorrow and pity for the ruined state of the once-glorious cities, reflecting the lamenting tone that permeates the entire chapter and the prophet's identification with the suffering of his people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 64:10 stands as a profound theological statement on the severe consequences of covenant unfaithfulness and the righteous nature of divine judgment. It unequivocally underscores that God's holiness demands a response to sin, and even His chosen people and sacred places are not exempt from the devastating ramifications of rebellion. The desolation of Jerusalem and Zion serves as a tangible manifestation of God's righteous anger and His unwavering faithfulness to the covenant curses outlined in the Torah. Yet, within this deep lament, there is a profound theological truth: the very act of confession and acknowledgment of sin is the crucial first step toward reconciliation and a renewed relationship with God. It demonstrates that even in the deepest despair, the people turn to God, recognizing His sovereignty, His justice, and their absolute dependence on His mercy for future restoration.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-20](/deuteronomy/28-15-20 "Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Lamentations 1:1-4](/lamentations/1-1-4 "Lamentations 1:1-4 - Jerusalem's Desolation")
* [Jeremiah 25:11-12](/jeremiah/25-11-12 "Jeremiah 25:11-12 - Seventy Years of Babylonian Captivity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 64:10 serves as a sobering mirror for believers today, reminding us that sin, both individual and corporate, carries real and often devastating consequences. Just as the physical desolation of Jerusalem reflected the spiritual decay and covenant unfaithfulness of Israel, so too can spiritual apathy, moral compromise, or a departure from God's truth lead to a "wilderness" or "desolation" in our own lives, our families, our churches, or our societies. This verse calls us to a profound self-examination: are our "holy places"—our hearts, our homes, our places of worship, our communities of faith—truly consecrated to God and flourishing in His presence, or have they become barren through neglect, compromise, or outright rebellion? It compels us to take sin seriously, to cultivate a spirit of humility and confession, and to consistently seek God's face in genuine repentance. The lament of Isaiah 64 is not an end in itself but a pathway to acknowledging our desperate need for God's mercy and His transformative power to restore even the most desolate places, bringing life where there was once only barrenness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my personal life, or within my faith community, do I perceive signs of spiritual "wilderness" or "desolation," and what might be the underlying causes?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of God's holiness, His justice, and His response to sin, both individually and corporately?**
* **What specific steps can I take to cultivate a deeper spirit of confession and repentance, both personally and within my faith community, in light of the consequences of sin?**
* **How can the profound lament found in Isaiah 64 inspire deeper prayer and intercession for revival, restoration, and spiritual flourishing in our world today?**

### FAQ
**Why is Jerusalem referred to by multiple names like "holy cities," "Zion," and "Jerusalem" in this single verse?**

Answer: The use of multiple names for Jerusalem in Isaiah 64:10 is a powerful literary device that enhances the message through parallelism and intensification. "Thy holy cities" is a broader, more encompassing term, likely referring to Jerusalem and potentially other significant Judean towns that held sacred status due to their association with God's covenant people and their religious practices. "Zion" refers specifically to the fortified hill in Jerusalem, often used poetically to represent the city as a whole, particularly its spiritual and royal aspects, as it was the site of the Temple and David's palace. "Jerusalem" is the direct and common name for the capital city. By using these terms in succession, the prophet achieves a cumulative effect, reiterating and intensifying the message of utter destruction. It underscores that no part of their sacred identity, from the general to the specific, has been spared from the desolation, highlighting the comprehensive and inescapable nature of God's judgment.

**Does the desolation of Jerusalem mean that God had completely abandoned His people?**

Answer: While the desolation described in Isaiah 64:10 signifies a severe divine judgment and a withdrawal of God's immediate blessing due to Israel's unfaithfulness, it does not mean God had completely abandoned His people. The very act of the prophet's lament and prayer in [Isaiah 63:7-64:12](/isaiah/63-7-64-12 "Isaiah 63:7-64:12 - A Prayer of Lament and Confession") demonstrates an ongoing, albeit strained, relationship and a profound belief in God's ultimate mercy and covenant faithfulness. This judgment was a disciplinary measure, a painful but necessary fulfillment of covenant warnings ([Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Consequences of Disobedience")), intended to lead the people to repentance and ultimately to restoration. The book of Isaiah itself, particularly its later chapters, is filled with glorious promises of future restoration for Zion and Jerusalem ([Isaiah 60:1-3](/isaiah/60-1-3 "Isaiah 60:1-3 - The Future Glory of Zion")), indicating that God's long-term redemptive plan for His people remained intact, even through periods of severe discipline and apparent abandonment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound desolation of Jerusalem and Zion depicted in Isaiah 64:10, a direct and grievous consequence of Israel's sin and covenant unfaithfulness, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound and redemptive ways. First, the judgment depicted here powerfully foreshadows the greater judgment for sin that was ultimately borne by Jesus Christ on the cross. He became the ultimate "desolation," entering into the spiritual wilderness of God's wrath and separation, taking upon Himself the full weight of humanity's sin, so that humanity might be reconciled and restored to fellowship with God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Just as the physical Temple was laid waste, Christ's body, the new and true Temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts the Destruction and Resurrection of the Temple")), was broken and destroyed, only to be raised again, signifying a new and living way to God, not through physical structures but through His resurrected life. Furthermore, the lament over the ruined holy cities resonates deeply with Jesus' own weeping over Jerusalem's spiritual blindness and impending destruction ([Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41-44 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")), a lament not for physical structures but for a people who tragically rejected their Messiah. In Christ, the true Zion is established, not as a physical city confined to a geographical location, but as the spiritual community of believers, the church, which is built on Him as the cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Built on the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets")). Ultimately, the promise of a renewed Jerusalem, hinted at in Isaiah's prophecies of restoration, finds its glorious culmination in the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city where God dwells eternally with His people ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Jerusalem")), a reality made possible only through the atoning and redemptive work of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of 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 1:7

Your country [is] desolate, your cities [are] burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and [it is] desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

Luke 21:24

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Lamentations 2:4

He hath bent his bow like an enemy: he stood with his right hand as an adversary, and slew all [that were] pleasant to the eye in the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion: he poured out his fury like fire.

Lamentations 2:8

The LORD hath purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion: he hath stretched out a line, he hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying: therefore he made the rampart and the wall to lament; they languished together.

2 Kings 25:9

And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great [man's] house burnt he with fire.

Lamentations 5:18

Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.

Psalms 79:1

¶ A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.