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Isaiah 51:3

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 51:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For Jehovah hath comforted Zion; he hath comforted all her waste places, and hath made her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Jehovah; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For Jehovah hath comforted Zion; he hath comforted all her waste places, and hath made her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Jehovah; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
Isaiah 51:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 51

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek Jehovah: look unto the rock whence ye were hewn, and to the hold of the pit whence ye were digged.
2Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you; for when he was but one I called him, and I blessed him, and made him many.
3For Jehovah hath comforted Zion; he hath comforted all her waste places, and hath made her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Jehovah; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
4Attend unto me, O my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall go forth from me, and I will establish my justice for a light of the peoples.
5My righteousness is near, my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the peoples; the isles shall wait for me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
6Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment; and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
← Isaiah 51:2Isaiah 51:4 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For the Lord shall comfort Zion, &c.] The church, by his Spirit, in the ministration of the word, and administration of ordinances; by the donation of the blessings of grace, and by the application of Gospel promises; by the discoveries of his love; by granting his gracious presence; by blessing his word; and by calling many souls, and adding them to his people: and in order to engage the church and people of God to believe God will do this, and that he can and will bless and increase them when in a low estate, the above instances of calling Abraham alone, and the blessing and increasing him, are produced: he will comfort all her waste places; by rebuilding them, and restoring them to their…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For--See for the argument, see on Isa 51:2. the garden of the Lord--restoration of the primeval paradise (Gen 2:8; Eze 28:13; Rev 2:7). melody--Hebrew, "psalm." God's praises shall again be heard.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For the Lord shall comfort Zion - On the word ‘Zion,’ see the notes at Isaiah 1:8. The meaning here is, that he would again restore it from its ruins. The argument is drawn from the statement in the previous verses. If God had raised up so great a nation from so humble all origin, he had power to restore the waste places of Judea to more than their former beauty and prosperity (see the notes at Isaiah 40:1). And he will make her wilderness - Judea is here represented as lying waste. It is to be remembered that the time to which the prophet here refers is that of the captivity, and near its close. Of course, as that would have continued seventy years, in so long a period Judea would have…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Therefore - For the sake of Abraham, and of that covenant which I made with him. Garden - Flourishing as the garden of Eden. Isaiah 51:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“51:3 Eden . . . the garden of the Lord: God’s salvation will one day reestablish conditions like those in which human beings first lived (see Gen 2–3).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the Lord: Isa 51:12, Isa 12:1, Isa 40:1, Isa 40:2, Isa 49:13, Isa 54:6-8, Isa 61:1-3, Isa 66:10-14; Psa 85:8; Jer 31:12-14, Jer 31:25; Zep 3:14-20; Co2 1:3, Co2 1:4 all: Isa 44:26, Isa 49:8, Isa 52:9, Isa 61:4; Psa 102:13, Psa 102:14; Jer 33:12, Jer 33:13 make: Isa 35:1, Isa 35:2, Isa 35:7-10, Isa 41:18, Isa 41:19 like the: Gen 2:8, Gen 2:9, Gen 13:10; Eze 31:8-10; Joe 2:3 joy: Jer 33:11; Pe1 1:8; Rev 19:1-7 Isaiah 51:4”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification