Isaiah 55:13
What does Isaiah 55:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 55:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 55:13 means
This verse culminates the chapter's promises with a powerful image of complete transformation. The barren, harsh landscape and its undesirable plants (thorns and briers) will be replaced by valuable, beautiful, and fruitful trees (fir and myrtle). This symbolizes a radical spiritual and environmental renewal—the curse gives way to blessing, and desolation to fruitfulness. This transformation will serve as an "everlasting sign" to the Lord, a permanent testament to His glory and redemptive work that will never be removed.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree; and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle-tree: and it shall be to Jehovah for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree; and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle-tree: and it shall be to Jehovah for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949In place of the thorn will come up the fir-tree, and in place of the blackberry the myrtle: and it will be to the Lord for a name, for an eternal sign which will not be cut off.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Instead of the thorn come up doth fir, Instead of the brier come up doth myrtle, And it hath been to Jehovah for a name, For a sign age-during--it is not cut off!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Instead of the shrub, shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the nettle, shall come up the myrtle tree: and the Lord shall be named for an everlasting sign, that shall not be taken away.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress, and instead of the nettle shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to Jehovah for a name, for an everlasting sign [that] shall not be cut off.
Context
This verse provides the ultimate, transformative imagery that concludes God's promises in the chapter. It builds on the joyful procession described in verse 12, detailing the *nature* of the restored creation. This final picture of radical change and lasting blessing serves as an enduring testament to the power of God's word and the scope of His gracious invitation.
v.12For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands.
v.13This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 61:3
to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that he may be glorified.
- 1 Peter 2:9
But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
- Isaiah 60:13
The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir-tree, the pine, and the box-tree together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
- Isaiah 60:21
Thy people also shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
- Isaiah 63:12
that caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses? that divided the waters before them, to make himself an everlasting name?
- Jeremiah 13:11
For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith Jehovah; that they may be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.
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