Isaiah 65:21

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And they shall build {H1129} houses {H1004}, and inhabit {H3427} them; and they shall plant {H5193} vineyards {H3754}, and eat {H398} the fruit {H6529} of them.

Complete Jewish Bible

They will build houses and live in them, they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

Berean Standard Bible

They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 65:21 presents a profound prophetic vision of God's future kingdom, where His redeemed people will experience a complete reversal of past futility and insecurity. This verse paints a vivid picture of enduring stability, productive labor, and the full enjoyment of its tangible results, promising a divinely ordained era in which the righteous will securely build their own homes and dwell in them, and plant their own vineyards and partake of their yield. It signifies a comprehensive restoration, moving beyond the curses of the old covenant into a blessed, stable, and prosperous existence under God's unwavering favor.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 65 is situated within the "Book of Consolation" (Isaiah 40-66), a section brimming with eschatological hope and promises of a new covenant. Specifically, verses 17-25 describe the glorious characteristics of the "new heavens and a new earth" that God will create. This passage follows a stark contrast between God's judgment upon the rebellious and idolatrous within Israel (65:1-16) and the abundant blessings awaiting His faithful servants. Verse 21, along with its immediate surroundings—such as the promise of [long life in the new creation](/isaiah/65-20 "Isaiah 65:20 - Long Life in the New Creation") and the assurance of [no more wasted labor](/isaiah/65-22 "Isaiah 65:22 - No More Wasted Labor")—paints a picture of a life free from the futility, insecurity, and premature death that plagued the old order. It emphasizes longevity, purpose, and the unhindered enjoyment of one's labor, culminating in a vision of ultimate peace and divine blessing, often interpreted as the Messianic age or the eternal state.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies of Isaiah were delivered during a tumultuous period for Israel, marked by the looming threats of Assyrian and Babylonian invasion, eventual exile, and the subsequent return. The people had experienced the destruction of their homes, the confiscation of their lands, and the consumption of their harvests by foreign invaders. The curses outlined in covenant passages like [Deuteronomy 28:30](/deuteronomy/28-30 "Deuteronomy 28:30 - Curses of Wasted Labor") explicitly warned of building houses but not inhabiting them, and planting vineyards but not eating their fruit. Thus, the promise in Isaiah 65:21 directly reverses these ancient curses, addressing deep-seated longings for stability, security, and the enjoyment of one's hard-earned produce in the promised land. For a people who had known displacement, oppression, and the futility of labor under judgment, the idea of securely building and enjoying one's work was profoundly significant, speaking to their identity, heritage, and future hope for a life of peace and abundance.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Isaiah and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Restoration and New Creation**, where God actively intervenes to undo the effects of sin and judgment, establishing a perfect and harmonious order. The ability to build and inhabit one's own home signifies **Security and Stability**, a stark contrast to the insecurity and displacement of exile and war. Planting vineyards and eating their fruit highlights **Fruitfulness and the Enjoyment of Labor**, ensuring that human effort is not in vain but yields tangible and satisfying blessings. This also speaks to a profound **Peace and Prosperity**, as such activities can only thrive in a society free from conflict, oppression, and external threats. Ultimately, this promised state is a direct manifestation of **Divine Blessing and Favor**, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and the establishment of His righteous kingdom, where, as [Isaiah 11:9](/isaiah/11-9 "Isaiah 11:9 - Peace in God's Holy Mountain") proclaims, "They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **build (Hebrew, _bânâh'_):** From H1129, a primitive root meaning "to build (literally and figuratively); (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely." This word signifies not merely the physical act of construction, but the establishment of permanence, stability, and the creation of a settled existence. In the context of a people who had experienced the destruction of their homes and cities (e.g., Jerusalem), the ability to "build" implies a divinely granted capacity for enduring establishment and a reversal of devastation.
* **inhabit (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** From H3427, a primitive root meaning "to sit down... by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry." This term goes beyond mere occupation; it denotes secure and peaceful dwelling, a settled existence free from fear of displacement or dispossession. It directly counters the curse of building but not inhabiting, emphasizing lasting possession, security, and the peaceful enjoyment of one's home.
* **fruit (Hebrew, _pᵉrîy'_):** From H6529, meaning "fruit (literally or figuratively); bough, (first-)fruit(-ful), reward." This word encapsulates the tangible outcome, reward, and produce of labor. The promise to "eat the fruit" signifies that the efforts of God's people will not be futile or consumed by others, but will yield full satisfaction, abundance, and blessing, representing a complete reversal of the curse of wasted toil and unfulfilled expectations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they shall build houses":** This initial clause speaks to the foundational establishment of permanence and security. In a world where homes were frequently destroyed by invaders or abandoned due to displacement and war, the ability to construct one's own dwelling signifies a divinely granted peace and stability that allows for long-term investment in one's environment and the flourishing of community life.
* **"and inhabit [them]":** This crucial addition emphasizes secure possession and the unhindered enjoyment of one's labor and property. It directly contrasts with the covenant curses found in [Deuteronomy 28:30](/deuteronomy/28-30 "Deuteronomy 28:30 - Curses of Wasted Labor"), where people would build but not live in their houses. Here, the inhabitants are secure in their homes, free from fear of eviction, war, or oppression, experiencing true rest, belonging, and the fruit of their efforts.
* **"and they shall plant vineyards":** This phrase points to productive agricultural labor and the investment in a future harvest. Vineyards required significant long-term commitment, careful cultivation, and patience, symbolizing a settled, prosperous agrarian society. It speaks to the blessing of meaningful work that contributes directly to sustenance, well-being, and a vibrant economy.
* **"and eat the fruit of them":** This final clause completes the picture of comprehensive blessing by ensuring the full and satisfying enjoyment of one's efforts. Unlike times of judgment where enemies would consume the harvest, here the people themselves partake of the fruit of their labor, signifying a complete reversal of futility and a state of divine favor where hard work is rewarded with satisfaction, abundance, and the joy of consumption.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 65:21 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its message of hope and comprehensive restoration. **Parallelism** is prominently featured through the repetition of the structure "they shall [action 1], and [action 2]" ("build houses, and inhabit them"; "plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them"). This structural repetition emphasizes the complete and harmonious nature of the promised blessing, highlighting that every effort will be met with its intended reward and enjoyment. This also functions as a form of **Merism**, where two complementary parts are mentioned to represent the whole – building and inhabiting represent full ownership and secure tenure, while planting and eating represent the complete cycle of productive labor and its satisfying outcome. The verse also utilizes **Antithesis** by implicitly contrasting the promised future with the past experiences of Israel, where homes were destroyed and harvests consumed by enemies (as seen in curses like [Deuteronomy 28:30](/deuteronomy/28-30 "Deuteronomy 28:30 - Curses of Wasted Labor")). The activities described—building houses and planting vineyards—function as profound **Symbolism** for a life of peace, security, prosperity, and self-sufficiency under divine blessing, representing the comprehensive well-being and flourishing of the new creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 65:21 is a cornerstone prophecy of God's ultimate plan for His people, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to reversing the curses of sin and establishing a kingdom characterized by profound peace, security, and abundant fruitfulness. It speaks to a deep human longing for stability, purpose, and the satisfaction of seeing the tangible results of one's labor. This vision transcends mere material prosperity, pointing to a holistic well-being where life is lived in harmony with God's design, free from the futility and suffering inherent in the fallen world. It underscores God's sovereign power to bring about a new order where His people not only survive but truly thrive under His direct blessing and protection, experiencing life as it was originally intended.

* [Micah 4:4](/micah/4-4 "Micah 4:4 - Dwelling Securely Under One's Vine and Fig Tree")
* [Deuteronomy 28:30](/deuteronomy/28-30 "Deuteronomy 28:30 - The Curse of Wasted Labor")
* [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death, Mourning, Crying, or Pain")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 65:21 offers profound hope and a powerful vision for believers today, even as we await its ultimate fulfillment in God's future kingdom. It reminds us that God's ultimate desire for His people is not one of perpetual struggle and futility, but of security, meaningful labor, and the joy of seeing our efforts bear lasting fruit. In a world often marked by instability, economic uncertainty, and the pervasive feeling that our work is in vain or consumed by others, this verse provides an anchor of hope, assuring us of God's ultimate plan for comprehensive peace and restoration. It encourages us to invest in things of lasting value, to work diligently with the assurance that our labor "in the Lord" is never in vain, and to cultivate peace and stability in our own spheres of influence, knowing that we are participating in a foretaste of God's coming kingdom. We are called to live with hope, perseverance, and a deep trust in God's faithfulness to His promises, finding rest in the knowledge that a time is coming when all suffering, wasted effort, and insecurity will be replaced by the perfect order of His righteous and benevolent reign.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the promise of building and inhabiting, planting and eating, challenge our contemporary anxieties about security and the fruit of our labor?**
* **In what ways can believers today actively participate in or experience a foretaste of the "new creation" security and fruitfulness described in this verse?**
* **How does this prophetic vision encourage perseverance and hope when facing present difficulties, futility, or injustice in our work or circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Is the fulfillment of Isaiah 65:21 purely spiritual, or does it have a literal dimension?**

Answer: While the passage certainly carries profound spiritual implications of peace, security, and divine blessing, the language used ("build houses," "plant vineyards," "eat the fruit") is remarkably literal, describing tangible, physical realities. Many biblical scholars interpret this prophecy as having a dual fulfillment: a partial, spiritual fulfillment in the present age through the peace, security, and spiritual fruitfulness found in Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, and a complete, literal fulfillment in the future. This ultimate fulfillment is often understood either during a literal millennial reign of Christ on earth or in the ultimate "new heavens and new earth" described in [Revelation 21](/revelation/21 "Revelation 21 - The New Heaven and New Earth"). The emphasis is on a comprehensive restoration that touches both the spiritual and material aspects of existence, reversing the curses of the Fall and establishing a perfect order.

**How does this promise of secure dwelling and fruitful labor relate to the curses found in Deuteronomy?**

Answer: Isaiah 65:21 functions as a direct and powerful reversal of some of the most poignant curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). In Deuteronomy, a severe consequence of disobedience and covenant unfaithfulness was that the people would "build a house, but not live in it" and "plant a vineyard, but not enjoy its fruit" ([Deuteronomy 28:30](/deuteronomy/28-30 "Deuteronomy 28:30 - Curses of Wasted Labor")). These curses represented futility, insecurity, and the loss of the blessings of the land due to foreign invasion or divine judgment. Isaiah 65:21, therefore, operates as a powerful promise of restoration, signifying God's grace to undo the devastating effects of sin and judgment. It assures His faithful people that in the new creation, they will experience complete security, stability, and the full, unhindered enjoyment of the fruit of their labor, a direct reversal of the ancient curses and a profound sign of God's renewed covenant favor and blessing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 65:21 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the orchestrator and embodiment of the "new creation" itself. While the verse describes a future state of physical security and prosperity, its deeper theological resonance points to the comprehensive redemption wrought by Christ, who came to reverse the futility of sin and establish a transformed existence. Through His atoning work on the cross and His resurrection, Christ provides true spiritual security and peace, enabling believers to "inhabit" a relationship with God that is eternal and unshakeable, a far greater security than any physical dwelling. The "fruit" of our labor, which often feels vain or fleeting in this fallen world, finds its true purpose and lasting significance when it is done "in Christ" and empowered by the [Holy Spirit](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit"). The promise of enjoying the fruit of one's labor is realized in the spiritual fruitfulness of a life lived in communion with Him ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ for Fruitfulness")), a life where our efforts contribute to an eternal kingdom that cannot be shaken. Ultimately, the vision of a world free from wasted effort, insecurity, and the curse of sin is fully realized in the [New Heavens and New Earth](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-5 - The New Heaven and New Earth"), ushered in by Christ's triumphant return, where He declares, "Behold, [I am making all things new](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Am Making All Things New")", and His people will truly build and inhabit, plant and eat, in perfect peace and unending joy, forever in His presence.

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

Amos 9:14

And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.

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:

Isaiah 62:9

But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.

Isaiah 32:18

And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;

Jeremiah 31:4

Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.

Jeremiah 31:5

Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat [them] as common things.

Isaiah 37:30

And this [shall be] a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat [this] year such as groweth of itself; and the second year that which springeth of the same: and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof.