Isaiah 61:7
For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
Original Language Analysis
תַּ֤חַת
H8478
תַּ֤חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
1 of 14
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
בָּשְׁתְּכֶם֙
For your shame
H1322
בָּשְׁתְּכֶם֙
For your shame
Strong's:
H1322
Word #:
2 of 14
shame (the feeling and the condition, as well as its cause); by implication (specifically) an idol
מִשְׁנֶ֣ה
the double
H4932
מִשְׁנֶ֣ה
the double
Strong's:
H4932
Word #:
3 of 14
properly, a repetition, i.e., a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount); by implication, a second (in order, rank, age, quality or loc
יָרֹ֣נּוּ
they shall rejoice
H7442
יָרֹ֣נּוּ
they shall rejoice
Strong's:
H7442
Word #:
5 of 14
properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e., to shout (usually for joy)
לָכֵ֤ן
H3651
לָכֵ֤ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
בְּאַרְצָם֙
therefore in their land
H776
בְּאַרְצָם֙
therefore in their land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
8 of 14
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
מִשְׁנֶ֣ה
the double
H4932
מִשְׁנֶ֣ה
the double
Strong's:
H4932
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, a repetition, i.e., a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount); by implication, a second (in order, rank, age, quality or loc
יִירָ֔שׁוּ
they shall possess
H3423
יִירָ֔שׁוּ
they shall possess
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
10 of 14
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
עוֹלָ֖ם
everlasting
H5769
עוֹלָ֖ם
everlasting
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
12 of 14
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
Cross References
Job 42:10And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.Zechariah 9:12Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;Isaiah 40:2Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.Psalms 16:11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.2 Kings 2:9And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.Isaiah 51:11Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.Isaiah 35:10And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.2 Corinthians 4:17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;Matthew 25:46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.2 Thessalonians 2:16Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
Historical Context
The exile brought profound shame—Jerusalem destroyed, temple burned, people mocked by nations (Psalm 137:1-3, Lamentations 5:1). The returned remnant still experienced diminished circumstances and ongoing humiliation. God promised not just restoration to previous status but double blessing. Partial fulfillment came through Christ's inauguration of the kingdom, but complete fulfillment awaits the consummated kingdom where all shame ends forever (Revelation 21:4) and believers reign eternally (Revelation 22:5). The suffering church experiences this principle—present afflictions preparing eternal glory (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Romans 8:18).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's promise of 'double for your shame' provide comfort in present humiliation or suffering?
- What does 'everlasting joy' mean, and how does it differ from temporary happiness?
- How does Christ's enduring of shame secure our eternal glory?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God promises comprehensive restoration: "For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion." The double-for-single exchange reverses Job's experience—he received double restoration after suffering (Job 42:10). "Shame" (bosheth) and "confusion" (kelimah) describe humiliation and disgrace. Instead comes "double" blessing and rejoicing in their inheritance (cheleq). The verse continues: "therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them." Simchat olam (everlasting joy) emphasizes permanent, not temporary, gladness. The double possession likely means comprehensive blessing—temporal and eternal, material and spiritual. From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates the principle of overwhelming grace—God doesn't merely balance accounts but lavishes super-abundant blessing on the redeemed (Ephesians 1:7-8, Romans 5:20). Christ endured ultimate shame (Hebrews 12:2) so believers receive ultimate glory (Romans 8:17-18, 2 Corinthians 4:17). The temporary suffering of this age is incomparable to the eternal weight of glory awaiting believers.