Isaiah 65:20

There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner [being] an hundred years old shall be accursed.

There shall be no more thence an infant {H5764} of days {H3117}, nor an old man {H2205} that hath not filled {H4390} his days {H3117}: for the child {H5288} shall die {H4191} an hundred {H3967} years {H8141} old {H1121}; but the sinner {H2398} being an hundred {H3967} years {H8141} old {H1121} shall be accursed {H7043}.

No more will babies die in infancy, no more will an old man die short of his days - he who dies at a hundred will be thought young, and at less than a hundred thought cursed.

No longer will a nursing infant live but a few days, or an old man fail to live out his years. For the youth will die at a hundred years, and he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.

There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days; for the child shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner being a hundred years old shall be accursed.

Isaiah 65:20 is a vivid prophetic declaration within a larger passage (Isaiah 65:17-25) describing God's glorious future for His people and the creation of a "new heavens and a new earth." This verse paints a picture of dramatically altered conditions, particularly regarding life and death, under divine blessing.

Context of Isaiah 65:20

Chapter 65 of Isaiah contrasts the unfaithfulness and rebellion of Israel in the prophet's present with God's ultimate plan for restoration and renewal. The preceding verses highlight God's righteous judgment against those who forsake Him, while verses 17-25 pivot to a breathtaking vision of a future era of unparalleled joy, peace, and divine favor. This future is often understood to refer to the Messianic Kingdom or the ultimate state of the new creation, where God's presence brings about profound changes to the natural order and human experience.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Extraordinary Longevity and Renewed Life: The most striking promise is the abolition of premature death. "There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days." This signifies an age where life spans are greatly extended, and dying young, especially in infancy or childhood, becomes a rarity. A "child shall die an hundred years old" implies that even someone considered a "child" by the standards of that age would live for centuries, an echo of the long lifespans recorded in early Genesis.
  • Divine Blessing and Restoration: This extended lifespan is a clear sign of God's abundant blessing upon His people. It reverses the curse and toil introduced by sin (Genesis 3:19), demonstrating a restoration of the natural order closer to God's original design. It speaks to a time of peace and prosperity where life flourishes under divine care.
  • The Enduring Reality of Sin's Consequence: Despite the overwhelming blessings, the verse also carries a sobering note: "but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed." This indicates that even in an age of immense divine favor and physical blessing, sin still carries a penalty. While physical death may be delayed for the righteous, spiritual separation and divine judgment remain for those who persist in rebellion. This emphasizes God's unwavering righteousness and the seriousness of sin, even amidst a glorious future.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "infant of days" (Hebrew: yeled yamim) literally means a "child of days," emphasizing someone whose life is cut short. Similarly, "filled his days" (Hebrew: mele yamav) refers to completing a natural, full lifespan. The term "accursed" (Hebrew: mekullal) denotes a state of being under divine disfavor or judgment, reinforcing the severe consequence for unrepentant sin even in this blessed era.

Practical Application and Reflection

Isaiah 65:20 offers profound hope for a future where God's perfect will is manifest, bringing an end to sorrow and premature death. It encourages believers to look forward to the complete restoration God promises, where peace, longevity, and divine blessing will be the norm for His faithful. At the same time, it serves as a powerful reminder that God's holiness and justice remain steadfast; sin, even in a time of unprecedented grace, will always lead to separation from God's full blessing. This motivates us to pursue righteousness and live in anticipation of God's glorious kingdom.

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.

  • Job 5:26

    Thou shalt come to [thy] grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.

  • Ecclesiastes 8:12

    Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his [days] be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:

  • Ecclesiastes 8:13

    But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong [his] days, [which are] as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.

  • Deuteronomy 4:40

    Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong [thy] days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.

  • Psalms 34:12

    What man [is he that] desireth life, [and] loveth [many] days, that he may see good?

  • Isaiah 3:11

    Woe unto the wicked! [it shall be] ill [with him]: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

  • Romans 2:5

    But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

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