Keraia
Isaiah 61

Isaiah 61:3

The Year of the LORD’s Favor · Isaiah 61:1–11
Read Isaiah 61

Translations

Modern
…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.
Traditional
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
Literal
…to appoint to mourners in Zion, to give to them beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of a spirit of dullness. And will be called to them oaks of righteousness, the planting of YHWH, for His being glorified.
Latin
…ut ponerem lugentibus Sion, et darem eis coronam pro cinere, oleum gaudii pro luctu, pallium laudis pro spiritu mœroris; et vocabuntur in ea fortes justitiæ, plantatio Domini ad glorificandum.

Original

Hebrew
English
…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.

Notes

Isaiah 61:3

  • Putting ashes on one's head showed mourning (note the change from the judgment in Isaiah 3:16–25). Mourning would turn into joy. In Hebrew, the words for crown of beauty and ashes form a wordplay.

  • oil of joy: A face covered with oil showed blessing and well-being (see Psalms 45:8; 133:2).

  • The remnant would begin as small shoots. They would seem weak and unimportant at first.

    But over time, they would grow strong and large, like great oak trees (see Isaiah 60:21).

Isaiah 61:1–3

The servant announces the good news that his work will restore Zion. The Lord Jesus used these words to describe his own mission (Luke 4:18–19).

Events

Parallels

Luke 4:16–30

Places

Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

Beauty Gospel Isaiah, Book of New Creation, New Creature New Jerusalem Ointment

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities of Saints: End in Joy and Blessedness Afflictions and Adversities: Consolation In Afflictions of Saints, End in Joy and Blessedness Anointing of the Holy Spirit: Saints Receive Anointing: Omitted in Mourning Anointing: Saints Receive Church: Prophecies Concerning Prosperity of Church: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Glorifying God: All the Blessings of God are Designed to Lead To God: Glory of Gospel: Prophecies Relating To Holiness: General Scriptures Concerning Jesus, the Christ: Mission of Jesus, the Christ: Saviour Joy: Christ Appointed to Give Joy: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Oil: The Consolation of the Gospel Olive Oil Praise: Called The: Garment of Praise Praise: Saints should be Endued with the Spirit of Praise: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Righteousness: Promised to Saints Salvation: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Seekers: General Scriptures Concerning Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Comforting the Comforter, Holy Spirit: The: Given by Christ The Emblems of the Holy Spirit: Oil: Comforting The Garment of Praise The Gospel: Foretold Titles and Names of Saints: Trees of Righteousness Tragedy Trees: (Good and Fruitful) of Saints Trinity: The Holy