Isaiah 54:1
Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
רָנִּ֥י
Sing
H7442
רָנִּ֥י
Sing
Strong's:
H7442
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e., to shout (usually for joy)
עֲקָרָ֖ה
O barren
H6135
עֲקָרָ֖ה
O barren
Strong's:
H6135
Word #:
2 of 17
sterile (as if extirpated in the generative organs)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָלָ֑דָה
thou that didst not bear
H3205
יָלָ֑דָה
thou that didst not bear
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
4 of 17
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
רִנָּ֤ה
into singing
H7440
רִנָּ֤ה
into singing
Strong's:
H7440
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e., shout (of joy or grief)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
חָ֔לָה
thou that didst not travail with child
H2342
חָ֔לָה
thou that didst not travail with child
Strong's:
H2342
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e., (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; fi
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
רַבִּ֧ים
for more
H7227
רַבִּ֧ים
for more
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
11 of 17
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
מִבְּנֵ֥י
are the children
H1121
מִבְּנֵ֥י
are the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
12 of 17
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שׁוֹמֵמָ֛ה
of the desolate
H8074
שׁוֹמֵמָ֛ה
of the desolate
Strong's:
H8074
Word #:
13 of 17
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
מִבְּנֵ֥י
are the children
H1121
מִבְּנֵ֥י
are the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
14 of 17
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Cross References
Galatians 4:27For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.Isaiah 62:4Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.1 Samuel 2:5They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.Zechariah 9:9Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.Zephaniah 3:14Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.Isaiah 49:13Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.Psalms 113:9He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.Isaiah 49:20The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell.Isaiah 44:23Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.Song of Solomon 8:8We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for?
Historical Context
Exiled Jerusalem seemed permanently barren (no temple, no king), yet God promised fruitfulness exceeding pre-exile glory. This pattern (Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth) shows God specializes in making the impossible happen, demonstrating that salvation comes by grace, not nature.
Questions for Reflection
- What areas of spiritual 'barrenness' in your life need God's supernatural fruitfulness?
- How does the church's explosive growth from small beginnings fulfill this prophecy of the barren bearing many?
Analysis & Commentary
The command to the 'barren' woman to 'sing' and 'break forth into singing' celebrates the impossible-made-possible through God's grace. The promise that 'more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife' reverses natural expectation - divine intervention produces greater fruitfulness than human effort. Paul applies this in Galatians 4:27 to show the Spirit-born church exceeds the flesh-born old covenant community.