Isaiah 55:13

Authorized King James Version

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Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Original Language Analysis

תַּ֤חַת H8478
תַּ֤חַת
Strong's: H8478
Word #: 1 of 15
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
הַֽנַּעֲצוּץ֙ Instead of the thorn H5285
הַֽנַּעֲצוּץ֙ Instead of the thorn
Strong's: H5285
Word #: 2 of 15
probably a brier; by implication, a thicket of thorny bushes
יַעֲלֶ֣ה shall come up H5927
יַעֲלֶ֣ה shall come up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 3 of 15
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בְר֔וֹשׁ the fir tree H1265
בְר֔וֹשׁ the fir tree
Strong's: H1265
Word #: 4 of 15
a cypress (?) tree; hence, a lance or a musical instrument (as made of that wood)
תַ֥חַת H8478
תַ֥חַת
Strong's: H8478
Word #: 5 of 15
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
הַסִּרְפַּ֖ד and instead of the brier H5636
הַסִּרְפַּ֖ד and instead of the brier
Strong's: H5636
Word #: 6 of 15
a nettle (as stinging like a burn)
יַעֲלֶ֣ה shall come up H5927
יַעֲלֶ֣ה shall come up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 7 of 15
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הֲדַ֑ס the myrtle tree H1918
הֲדַ֑ס the myrtle tree
Strong's: H1918
Word #: 8 of 15
the myrtle
וְהָיָ֤ה H1961
וְהָיָ֤ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 9 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לַֽיהוָה֙ and it shall be to the LORD H3068
לַֽיהוָה֙ and it shall be to the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 10 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְשֵׁ֔ם for a name H8034
לְשֵׁ֔ם for a name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 11 of 15
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
לְא֥וֹת sign H226
לְא֥וֹת sign
Strong's: H226
Word #: 12 of 15
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
עוֹלָ֖ם for an everlasting H5769
עוֹלָ֖ם for an everlasting
Strong's: H5769
Word #: 13 of 15
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 14 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִכָּרֵֽת׃ that shall not be cut off H3772
יִכָּרֵֽת׃ that shall not be cut off
Strong's: H3772
Word #: 15 of 15
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

Cross References

Isaiah 41:19I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:Isaiah 61:3To 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.Jeremiah 33:9And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.Isaiah 60:13The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.2 Corinthians 5:17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.Romans 6:19I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.Jeremiah 50:5They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.1 Peter 4:11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.Isaiah 60:21Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.Isaiah 43:21This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.

Analysis & Commentary

Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. This verse promises reversal of the curse. Thorns (na'atsuts, נַעֲצוּץ) and briers (sirpad, סִרְפַּד) recall Genesis 3:18's curse on the ground. Fir tree (berosh, בְּרוֹשׁ, possibly cypress) and myrtle (hadas, הֲדַס) represent beauty, usefulness, and blessing. The transformation from cursed vegetation to valuable trees symbolizes comprehensive restoration.

The purpose: "it shall be to the LORD for a name"—creation itself becomes testimony to God's character. "Everlasting sign" (le'ot 'olam, לְאוֹת עוֹלָם) provides permanent memorial. "That shall not be cut off" (lo yikkaret, לֹא יִכָּרֵת) guarantees perpetuity. The restoration serves pedagogical purpose—witnessing to future generations of God's redemptive power and covenant faithfulness.

From a Reformed perspective, this prophesies new creation through Christ. Romans 8:20-21 describes creation's liberation from corruption. Revelation 22:3 promises, "there shall be no more curse"—the thorn-brier curse reversed. The everlasting sign points to Christ's eternal covenant (Hebrews 13:20). This verse teaches that redemption restores created order, removing the curse and establishing permanent testimony to God's gracious character.

Historical Context

The Genesis curse brought thorns, thistles, and toil (Genesis 3:17-19). Israel's unfaithfulness resulted in land becoming wasteland (Isaiah 5:6, 7:23-25, 32:13). The exile physically devastated the land; Isaiah promises not merely restoration but transformation—better than original state. Post-exilic prophets addressed land restoration (Haggai, Zechariah).

Yet complete fulfillment awaits Christ's return. Revelation 21-22 describes new heavens and new earth with no curse, where the tree of life provides perpetual healing. Church history shows partial fulfillments—transformed lives becoming testimonies, communities renewed through gospel—all pointing toward ultimate restoration when Christ makes all things new (Revelation 21:5). The everlasting sign assures that God's redemptive work is permanent, irreversible, and self-authenticating.

Questions for Reflection

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