Isaiah 56:5
Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
Original Language Analysis
אֶתֶּן
Even unto them will I give
H5414
אֶתֶּן
Even unto them will I give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 16
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְּבֵיתִ֤י
in mine house
H1004
בְּבֵיתִ֤י
in mine house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
3 of 16
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יָ֣ד
a place
H3027
יָ֣ד
a place
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
5 of 16
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
שֵׁ֤ם
and a name
H8034
שֵׁ֤ם
and a name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
6 of 16
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
ט֖וֹב
better
H2896
ט֖וֹב
better
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
7 of 16
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
מִבָּנִ֣ים
than of sons
H1121
מִבָּנִ֣ים
than of sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וּמִבָּנ֑וֹת
and of daughters
H1323
וּמִבָּנ֑וֹת
and of daughters
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
9 of 16
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
שֵׁ֤ם
and a name
H8034
שֵׁ֤ם
and a name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
10 of 16
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
עוֹלָם֙
them an everlasting
H5769
עוֹלָם֙
them an everlasting
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
אֶתֶּן
Even unto them will I give
H5414
אֶתֶּן
Even unto them will I give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
12 of 16
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Revelation 3:12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.Revelation 3:5He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.1 John 3:1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.Isaiah 55:13Instead 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.John 1:12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:1 Timothy 3:15But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.Isaiah 60:18Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.Isaiah 48:19Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me.Isaiah 26:1In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.Isaiah 62:12And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.
Historical Context
In a culture where name perpetuation through children was paramount, this promise offers something greater: eternal memorial in God's presence. The Ethiopian eunuch's conversion (Acts 8) begins fulfillment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does eternal legacy in God's house compare to biological legacy?
- What comfort does this offer those who cannot have or have lost children?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God promises faithful eunuchs 'a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.' The Hebrew 'yad' (hand/memorial) and 'shem' (name) constitute a permanent legacy. The 'dry tree' receives eternal fruit - legacy in God's house surpasses biological descendants.