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Isaiah 65:16

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 65:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “so that he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

so that he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.
Isaiah 65:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 65

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be put to shame;
14behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall wail for vexation of spirit.
15And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen; and the Lord Jehovah will slay thee; and he will call his servants by another name:
16so that he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.
17For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
18But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
19And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people; and there shall be heard in her no more the voice of weeping and the voice of crying.
← Isaiah 65:15Isaiah 65:17 →
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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
“That he who blesseth himself in the earth, &c.] That is sensible he stands in need of blessings, and wishes for them, and prays he might have them; or that takes notice that he is blessed with them, and acknowledges them, and is thankful for them: shall bless himself in the God of truth; shall pray to him for blessings he wants, and ascribe what he has unto him, and give him the praise and glory of them; by whom is meant, either God the Father, in opposition to idols, the fictitious deities of the Gentiles, those lying vanities, which were not gods by nature, and to whom the God of truth, or the true God, is often opposed, and whom the Targum here calls the living God; or rather the Messiah,…”
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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
“That he--rather, "he who," &c. blesseth, &c.-- (Psa 72:17; Jer 4:2). God of truth--very God, as opposed to false gods; Hebrew, Amen: the very name of Messiah (Co2 1:20; Rev 3:14), faithful to His promises (Joh 1:17; Joh 6:32). Real, substantial, spiritual, eternal, as opposed to the shadowy types of the law. sweareth, &c.--God alone shall be appealed to as God (Isa 19:18; Deu 6:13; Psa 63:11). troubles--that is, sins, provocations [LOWTH]. Rather, calamities caused by your sins; so far from these visiting you again, the very remembrance of them is "hid from Mine eyes" by the magnitude of the blessings I will confer on you (Isa 65:17, &c.). [MAURER].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“That he who blesseth himself in the earth - That is, he who shall invoke blessings on himself. Shall bless himself in the God of truth - Or by the true God. He shall not seek a blessing from a false god; but he shall come before the true God, and seek a blessing at his hand. And he that sweareth - Every oath that is taken in the land shall be by the true God. There shall be no swearing by idols; but the true God shall be everywhere acknowledged. Because the former troubles are forgotten - The former punishments and calamities shall be passed away. The favor of God shall be restored. His pure worship shall be re-established, and his name shall be celebrated again in the land. The image here…”
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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
“God of truth - Because they shall see what God promised is fulfilled. Are hid - That is, they are at an end. Isaiah 65:17”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“65:16 evil of earlier days: Cp. Rev 21:4.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he who: Psa 72:17; Jer 4:2 in the God: Deu 32:4; Psa 31:5, Psa 86:15; Jer 10:10; Joh 1:14, Joh 1:17, Joh 14:6; Heb 6:17, Heb 6:18 he that: Isa 19:18, Isa 45:23-25, Isa 48:1; Deu 6:13, Deu 10:20; Psa 63:11; Jer 12:16; Zep 1:5; Rom 14:11; Phi 2:11 because: Isa 65:19, Isa 11:16, Isa 12:1, Isa 35:10, Isa 54:4; Jer 31:12; Eze 36:25-27; Dan 12:1, Dan 12:11; Zep 3:14-20; Rev 20:4 Isaiah 65:17”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification