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Isaiah 54:4

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Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

Fear {H3372} not; for thou shalt not be ashamed {H954}: neither be thou confounded {H3637}; for thou shalt not be put to shame {H2659}: for thou shalt forget {H7911} the shame {H1322} of thy youth {H5934}, and shalt not remember {H2142} the reproach {H2781} of thy widowhood {H491} any more.

Don't be afraid, for you won't be ashamed; don't be discouraged, for you won't be disgraced. You will forget the shame of your youth, no longer remember the dishonor of being widowed.

Do not be afraid, for you will not be put to shame; do not be intimidated, for you will not be humiliated. For you will forget the shame of your youth and will remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth; and the reproach of thy widowhood shalt thou remember no more.

Commentary

Commentary on Isaiah 54:4 (KJV)

Isaiah 54:4 offers a profound message of comfort and restoration, particularly to a people who have experienced deep humiliation and desolation. This verse is part of a larger prophetic song of joy and expansion, addressed to Zion, personified as a barren and forsaken woman.

Context

The immediate context of Isaiah 54 is one of dramatic reversal. Following the suffering servant passage in Isaiah 53, chapter 54 shifts to a glorious future for Israel, often understood as the restored nation after the Babylonian exile. The chapter opens with a command to "Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear" (Isaiah 54:1), promising a multitude of children and vast expansion. Verse 4 directly addresses the emotional and spiritual scars of this past barrenness and desolation, assuring the people that their period of shame is over.

Key Themes

  • Divine Comfort and Assurance: The opening phrase, "Fear not," is a recurring theme throughout Isaiah, emphasizing God's steadfast presence and protection. It is a divine command to lay aside anxiety and dread in the face of a glorious future promised by God.
  • Removal of Shame and Reproach: The verse powerfully promises liberation from past disgrace. Phrases like "shalt not be ashamed," "not be confounded," and "shalt not be put to shame" repeat for emphasis. This speaks to the deep humiliation Israel felt during its periods of spiritual barrenness and exile, often seen as divine judgment.
  • Forgetting Past Sorrows: God's promise extends to the complete erasure of painful memories. "Thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more." "The shame of thy youth" likely refers to Israel's early history of idolatry and unfaithfulness, while "the reproach of thy widowhood" symbolizes the nation's desolate state, abandoned and vulnerable, much like a widow in ancient society who lacked a protector and provider. God promises to bring such a profound restoration that these painful memories will no longer hold sway.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words for "ashamed" (bosh) and "confounded" (chaphar) both convey a sense of deep embarrassment, humiliation, and disappointment. They suggest a public disgrace or a feeling of being utterly let down. The repetition underscores the severity of the past condition and the certainty of its reversal. The term "reproach of thy widowhood" (Hebrew: cherpah almenut) vividly paints a picture of the societal scorn and vulnerability associated with being a widow, highlighting Israel's perceived abandonment during their time of judgment and exile.

Practical Application

Isaiah 54:4 offers timeless hope and reassurance for anyone who has experienced shame, failure, or a period of desolation. It reminds us:

  • God's Capacity for Restoration: Just as God promised to restore Israel from its "widowhood" and "shame," He has the power to heal past wounds and bring new life to individuals and communities. This promise echoes the transformation found in Christ, where old things pass away.
  • Freedom from Past Guilt: For those who have genuinely repented and turned to God, this verse assures us that God's forgiveness is complete. We are not meant to live perpetually under the shadow of past mistakes or perceived failures.
  • Trust in God's Faithfulness: Even when circumstances seem barren or hopeless, God's promises of comfort and blessing are sure. This divine assurance encourages us to "fear not" because God is with us.

This verse ultimately points to the profound grace of God, who takes away our shame and replaces it with His glory, offering a future filled with hope and a new beginning.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 41:10 (23 votes)

    ¶ Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

  • 1 Peter 2:6 (16 votes)

    Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

  • Isaiah 61:7 (15 votes)

    For your shame [ye shall have] double; and [for] confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.

  • Jeremiah 31:19 (15 votes)

    Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon [my] thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.

  • Isaiah 45:16 (13 votes)

    They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together [that are] makers of idols.

  • Isaiah 45:17 (13 votes)

    [But] Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

  • Isaiah 51:7 (12 votes)

    Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart [is] my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.