Isaiah 51:3
New International Version
The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.

New Living Translation
The LORD will comfort Israel again and have pity on her ruins. Her desert will blossom like Eden, her barren wilderness like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found there. Songs of thanksgiving will fill the air.

English Standard Version
For the LORD comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.

Berean Standard Bible
For the LORD will comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; He will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and melodious song.

King James Bible
For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

New King James Version
For the LORD will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody.

New American Standard Bible
Indeed, the LORD will comfort Zion; He will comfort all her ruins. And He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, Thanksgiving and the sound of a melody.

NASB 1995
Indeed, the LORD will comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places. And her wilderness He will make like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in her, Thanksgiving and sound of a melody.

NASB 1977
Indeed, the LORD will comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places. And her wilderness He will make like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in her, Thanksgiving and sound of a melody.

Legacy Standard Bible
Indeed, Yahweh will comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places. And her wilderness He will make like Eden, And her desert like the garden of Yahweh; Joy and gladness will be found in her, Thanksgiving and sound of a melody.

Amplified Bible
For the LORD will comfort Zion [in her captivity]; He will comfort all her ruins. And He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in her, Thanksgiving and the voice of a melody.

Christian Standard Bible
For the LORD will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places, and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and melodious song.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the LORD will comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places, and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and melodious song.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Though Zion is in ruins, the LORD will bring comfort, and the city will be as lovely as the garden of Eden that he provided. Then Zion will celebrate; it will be thankful and sing joyful songs.

English Revised Version
For the LORD hath comforted Zion: he hath comforted all her waste places, and hath made her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So the LORD will comfort Zion. He will comfort all those who live among its ruins. He will make its desert like Eden. He will make its wilderness like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in it, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.

Good News Translation
"I will show compassion to Jerusalem, to all who live in her ruins. Though her land is a desert, I will make it a garden, like the garden I planted in Eden. Joy and gladness will be there, and songs of praise and thanks to me.

International Standard Version
For the LORD will have compassion on Zion, have compassion on all her ruins. He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her deserts like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving, and the sound of singing. Sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Majority Standard Bible
For the LORD will comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; He will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and melodious song.

NET Bible
Certainly the LORD will console Zion; he will console all her ruins. He will make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the Garden of the LORD. Happiness and joy will be restored to her, thanksgiving and the sound of music.

New Heart English Bible
For the LORD has comforted Zion; he has comforted all her waste places, and has made her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found in it, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

Webster's Bible Translation
For the LORD will comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

World English Bible
For Yahweh has comforted Zion. He has comforted all her waste places, and has made her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Yahweh. Joy and gladness will be found in them, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For YHWH has comforted Zion, "" He has comforted all her ruins, "" And He sets her wilderness as Eden, "" And her desert as a garden of YHWH, "" Joy, indeed, gladness is found in her, "" Confession, and the voice of song.

Young's Literal Translation
For Jehovah hath comforted Zion, He hath comforted all her wastes, And He setteth her wilderness as Eden, And her desert as a garden of Jehovah, Joy, yea, gladness is found in her, Confession, and the voice of song.

Smith's Literal Translation
For Jehovah comforted Zion: he comforted all her wastes, and he will set her desert as Eden, and her sterile region as the garden of Jehovah; joy and gladness shall be found in her confession, and the voice of song.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The Lord therefore will comfort Sion, and will comfort all the ruins thereof: and he will make her desert as a place of pleasure, and her wilderness as the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of praise.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, the Lord will console Zion, and he will console all its ruins. And he will turn her desert into a place of delights, and her wilderness into a garden of the Lord. Gladness and rejoicing will be found in her, thanksgiving and a voice of praise.

New American Bible
Yes, the LORD shall comfort Zion, shall comfort all her ruins; Her wilderness he shall make like Eden, her wasteland like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness shall be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of song.

New Revised Standard Version
For the LORD will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places, and will make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For the LORD will build Zion; he will build all her waste places; he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be heard in the midst of her, thanksgiving and the voice of singing.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because LORD JEHOVAH builds Zion and builds all her deserted places and makes her wilderness as Eden, and her plain as the Paradise of LORD JEHOVAH. Dancing and rejoicing will be heard within her; thanksgiving and the sound of singing
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For the LORD hath comforted Zion; He hath comforted all her waste places, And hath made her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness shall be found therein, Thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And now I will comfort thee, O Sion: and I have comforted all her desert places; and I will make her desert places as a garden, and her western places as the garden of the Lord; they shall find in her gladness and exultation, thanksgiving and the voice of praise.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Salvation for Zion
2Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him. 3For the LORD will comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; He will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and melodious song. 4Pay attention to Me, My people, and listen to Me, My nation; for a law will go out from Me, and My justice will become a light to the nations; I will bring it about quickly.…

Cross References
Revelation 21:4
‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Isaiah 35:1-2
The wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose. / It will bloom profusely and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.

Isaiah 61:3
to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Revelation 22:1-2
Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb / down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Ezekiel 36:35
Then they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden. The cities that were once ruined, desolate, and destroyed are now fortified and inhabited.’

Jeremiah 31:12-13
They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD—the grain, new wine, and oil, and the young of the flocks and herds. Their life will be like a well-watered garden, and never again will they languish. / Then the maidens will rejoice with dancing, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, and give them comfort and joy for their sorrow.

Hosea 14:5-7
I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily and take root like the cedars of Lebanon. / His shoots will sprout, and his splendor will be like the olive tree, his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon. / They will return and dwell in his shade; they will grow grain and blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.

Psalm 126:1-2
A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers. / Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

Isaiah 41:18-19
I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into flowing springs. / I will plant cedars in the wilderness, acacias, myrtles, and olive trees. I will set cypresses in the desert, elms and boxwood together,

Revelation 7:16-17
‘Never again will they hunger, and never will they thirst; nor will the sun beat down upon them, nor any scorching heat.’ / For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Isaiah 49:13
Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; break forth in song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and He will have compassion on His afflicted ones.

Joel 3:18
And in that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. All the streams of Judah will run with water, and a spring will flow from the house of the LORD to water the Valley of Acacias.

Zechariah 8:12
“For the seed will be prosperous, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will yield its produce, and the skies will give their dew. To the remnant of this people I will give all these things as an inheritance.

Isaiah 55:12-13
You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. / Instead of the thornbush, the cypress will grow, and instead of the brier, the myrtle will spring up; this will make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign, never to be destroyed.”

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.


Treasury of Scripture

For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

the Lord

Isaiah 51:12
I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;

Isaiah 12:1
And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.

Isaiah 40:1,2
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God…

all

Isaiah 44:26
That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:

Isaiah 49:8
Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

Isaiah 52:9
Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.

make

Isaiah 36:1,2,7-10
Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them…

Isaiah 41:18,19
I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water…

like the

Genesis 2:8,9
And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed…

Genesis 13:10
And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

Ezekiel 31:8-10
The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chesnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty…

joy

Jeremiah 33:11
The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.

1 Peter 1:8
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Revelation 19:1-7
And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: …

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Comfort Comforted Desert Eden Found Garden Gladness Indeed Joy Melody Places Thanksgiving Therein Voice Waste Wilderness Zion
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Comfort Comforted Desert Eden Found Garden Gladness Indeed Joy Melody Places Thanksgiving Therein Voice Waste Wilderness Zion
Isaiah 51
1. An exhortation after the pattern of Abraham, to trust in Christ
3. By reason of his comfortable promises,
4. Of his righteous salvation
7. And man's mortality
9. Christ by his sanctified arm defends his from the fear of man
17. He bewails the afflictions of Jerusalem
21. And promises deliverance














For the LORD will comfort Zion
The word "comfort" in Hebrew is "נחם" (nacham), which conveys a deep sense of consolation and compassion. In the context of Zion, which represents Jerusalem and, by extension, the people of Israel, this comfort is not merely emotional but also restorative. Historically, Zion had experienced devastation and exile, and this promise of comfort signifies God's intention to restore and renew His covenant people. Theologically, it reflects God's unwavering faithfulness and His role as a divine comforter who brings hope and healing.

He will comfort all her waste places
The "waste places" refer to areas that have been desolated or ruined, often due to war or neglect. In Hebrew, "waste places" is "חרבות" (charavot), indicating a state of barrenness. This promise of comfort extends to every aspect of desolation, suggesting a comprehensive restoration. It is a powerful image of transformation, where God turns desolation into beauty, reflecting His power to redeem and renew even the most hopeless situations.

and He will make her wilderness like Eden
The "wilderness" in Hebrew is "מדבר" (midbar), often associated with uninhabitable and barren lands. The transformation of the wilderness "like Eden" is a profound promise. Eden, the garden of God, symbolizes perfection, abundance, and divine presence. This imagery evokes a return to an ideal state of harmony and prosperity, reminiscent of the original creation. It underscores God's ability to bring life and fertility to barren places, both physically and spiritually.

and her desert like the garden of the LORD
The "desert" (Hebrew: "ערבה" - aravah) is another symbol of lifelessness and desolation. The transformation into "the garden of the LORD" suggests a divine intervention that brings about a paradisiacal state. This phrase emphasizes the idea of divine cultivation and care, where God Himself tends to His creation, ensuring its flourishing. It is a promise of divine presence and blessing, where the barren becomes fruitful under God's hand.

Joy and gladness will be found in her
"Joy" (Hebrew: "ששון" - sason) and "gladness" (Hebrew: "שמחה" - simchah) are expressions of deep, abiding happiness and contentment. These emotions are not fleeting but are rooted in the transformative work of God. The presence of joy and gladness signifies a community living in the fullness of God's promises, experiencing His peace and prosperity. It is a vision of a restored community, thriving under God's care.

thanksgiving and the sound of melody
"Thanksgiving" (Hebrew: "תודה" - todah) is an expression of gratitude, often associated with worship and acknowledgment of God's goodness. The "sound of melody" (Hebrew: "קול זמרה" - kol zimrah) suggests a vibrant, celebratory atmosphere. Together, they paint a picture of a community that not only experiences God's blessings but also responds with worship and praise. It is a reminder of the importance of gratitude and worship in the life of God's people, acknowledging His role as the source of all blessings.

(3) He will make her wilderness like Eden.--Interesting as showing Isaiah's acquaintance with Genesis 1-3. (Comp. Ezekiel 31:9; Ezekiel 31:16; Ezekiel 36:35; Joel 2:3.) "Paradise" has already entered into the idea of future restoration (Revelation 2:7).

Verse 3. - The Lord shall comfort Zion (comp. Isaiah 40:1; Isaiah 49:3; Isaiah 51:12; Isaiah 52:9, etc.). Literally, the word used is has comforted; i.e. has so determined the matter in his counsels that it may be considered as already accomplished. Her waste places... her wilderness... her desert. Though Nebuchadnezzar "left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen" (2 Kings 25:12; Jeremiah 52:16), yet the population was not sufficient to maintain cultivation generally. Thus, much of Judaea, during the absence of the exiles, became a "wilderness" and a "desert" (see Ezekiel 36:34). Like Eden... like the garden of the Lord. The Prophet Joel compares Judaea before its desolation to "the garden of Eden" (Joel 2:3): and Ezekiel, like Isaiah, prophesies that it shall once more become "like the garden of Eden," when the exiles have returned to it (Ezekiel 37:35). With the last-named writer, Eden represents all that is glorious, not in nature only, but in art (Ezekiel 28:13; Ezekiel 31:8, 9, 16, 18). The voice of melody (comp. Isaiah 35:10, and infra, ver. 11). As music ceases out of the land in time of affliction (Isaiah 24:8), so when a "time of refreshing from the Lord" arrives, there is at once singing and "melody" (comp. Revelation 5:8; Revelation 14:2; Revelation 15:2).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD
יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

will comfort
נִחַ֨ם (ni·ḥam)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5162: To sigh, breathe strongly, to be sorry, to pity, console, rue, to avenge

Zion
צִיּ֗וֹן (ṣî·yō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6726: Zion -- a mountain in Jerusalem, also a name for Jerusalem

and look with compassion
נִחַם֙ (ni·ḥam)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5162: To sigh, breathe strongly, to be sorry, to pity, console, rue, to avenge

on all her
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

ruins;
חָרְבֹתֶ֔יהָ (ḥā·rə·ḇō·ṯe·hā)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2723: Waste, desolation, ruin

He will make
וַיָּ֤שֶׂם (way·yā·śem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

her wilderness
מִדְבָּרָהּ֙ (miḏ·bā·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

like Eden
כְּעֵ֔דֶן (kə·‘ê·ḏen)
Preposition-k | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5731: Eden -- the garden home of Adam and Eve

and her desert
וְעַרְבָתָ֖הּ (wə·‘ar·ḇā·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6160: Arabah -- a steppe or desert plain, also a desert valley running south from the Sea of Galilee

like the garden
כְּגַן־ (kə·ḡan-)
Preposition-k | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1588: An enclosure, garden

of the LORD.
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

Joy
שָׂשׂ֤וֹן (śā·śō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8342: Cheerfulness, welcome

and gladness
וְשִׂמְחָה֙ (wə·śim·ḥāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8057: Blithesomeness, glee

will be found in her,
יִמָּ֣צֵא (yim·mā·ṣê)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

thanksgiving
תּוֹדָ֖ה (tō·w·ḏāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8426: An extension of the hand, avowal, adoration, a choir of worshippers

and melodious
זִמְרָֽה׃ (zim·rāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2172: Melody, song (in praise of Yah)

song.
וְק֥וֹל (wə·qō·wl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 51:3 For Yahweh has comforted Zion (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 51:2
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